The Golden Belt Community Concert Association will present country music entertainer Buddy Jewell at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, located at Lakin Ave. and Stone St. The concert is available to concert association members. Full-time students will be admitted to the concert for a $5 donation at the door. The auditorium will open at 6:30 p.m.
After being named winner of the televised music competition Nashville Star in 2003, Arkansas native Buddy Jewell took the world of country music by storm with his tender, heartfelt voice that gained him millions of fans nationwide.
Jewell doesn’t take his success for granted. "There are thousands of people who move to Nashville every year trying to do what I do and what I have gotten to do. I have been so blessed," Jewell notes. "Just to be given this opportunity is all I can ask for."
By 2005, Jewell had made two albums and, with his fan base stronger than ever, he continued to tour and spread the word of his music. He decided to try his hand in the independent music scene in early 2008 when he formed his own label, Diamond Dust Records.
Music written or co-written by Jewell shows the proud American in the singer with songs like "What This Country’s Comin’ To" and "This Ain’t Mexico." Fans of Jewell’s softer side enjoy tracks such as "Leavin’ Louisana," "Second Chance of a Lifetime" and "The Ones I Love the Most."
Throughout his career, Jewell has earned recognition with award nominations from the ACM for Best New Artist, the CMA for the Horizon Award, a CMT Flameworthy Breakout Video nod and a Grammy nomination for his participation on the country gospel compilation album, "Amazing Grace III." ABC Radio Network awarded Jewell in 2003 with the Listener’s Choice Award for New Artist of the Year. Jewell also earned Music Row magazine’s Critic’s Pick Award.
Other honorable mentions for Jewell include being the spokesman for the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation, his extensive work with St. Jude’s Children’s Research and his participation in the Angel Tree fund drive.
Four of Jewell’s biggest fans are his wife of 20 years, Tené, and their three children, sons Buddy III, 18, Joshua, 7, and daughter Lacey, 14, who was the inspiration behind Jewell’s first hit "Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey’s Song)."
