Mar 11, 2015
DARIEN CENTER — The same day her latest album, “Piece By Piece,” dropped for purchase, Kelly Clarkson announced she is coming to Western New York, and probably bringing her new baby with her. The announcement came out Tuesday that the three-time Grammy winner and new mom will bring her Piece By Piece tour to Darien Lake Performing Arts Center for a July 21 show. The concert, which starts at 7:30 will feature special guests Pentatonix and Eric Hutchinson Clarkson is best known for winning the first season of “American Idol” in 2002 and has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide in her 12-year career. Beginning her singing career as a pop artist, Clarkson has transitioned to country. She has partnered with country legend Reba McEntire, who now serves as Clarkson’s manager. Known for her duets, Clarkson has paired with heavyweights McEntire, Blake Shelton, John Legend, Vince Gill and Jason Aldean. And if you missed it, she appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Monday to sing the blazingly funny “The History of Duets” with the host. Clarkson and her husband, McEntire’s stepson Brandon Blackstock, welcomed their first child in June. Clarkson has stated in several interviews that she was pregnant with her daughter while recording her latest album and plans to bring the baby on tour. Pentatonix is a five-piece A Cappella group from Texas, who just won the Grammy award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella last month. Tickets for Clarkson’s July show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 14 through LiveNation.com,Ticketmaster.com, or Charge By Phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets range in price from $25 to $99.50. ——— Darien Lake offering in-park concerts DARIEN CENTER — Families looking to balance thrill rides with music will have their chance this summer, as Darien Lake Theme Park will offer three in-park concerts in the Ride of Steel Plaza. Theme park officials announced the move on Tuesday, saying the concerts will be free for park visitors and hotel or campground guests. The schedule for in-part concerts includes: • Debby Ryan & The Never Ending — 6 p.m., May 23. Known to fans of the Disney Channel, Ryan has appeared on “Jessie” since 2011 after a three-year run on “The Suite Life on Deck.” She has also appeared in several films, including last year’s “Muppets Most Wanted.” She formed her band 2013 and released the EP “One” last June. • Jake Miller — 6 p.m., June 13. The 22-year-old pop artist got his start by posting videos to YouTube, forming a social media fanbase of 1.3 million fans who call themselves the Millertary. He has independently released three EPs and one full-length album “Us Against Them” in 2013. • Shawn Mendes — 6 p.m., June 27. The 16-year-old singer will release his debut album “Handwritten” in April following the success of his EP “The Shawn Mendes EP” in 2014. His first single “Life of the Party” has been a hit, charting in several countries. It sold more than 150,000 copies through iTunes in its debut week. He’s a star on the rise, having been named one of TIME Magazine’s “Most Influential Teens of 2014.” “With roots in the Disney Channel, Kissmass Bash and beyond, these stars resonate with many families across Western New York,” said Chris Thorpe, Darien Lake General Manager, in a press release. “These concerts are part of our plan to provide extraordinary value to our season pass holders and accommodations guests while enriching the entire Darien Lake experience.”
