'American Idol' finalist added to concert line-up

Diversity of Country Christmas Tour boosted by addition of Bucky Covington.

Fans hoping to see rising country star Buddy Jewell at Monday's GAC Country Christmas Tour at the Show Me Center are in for a disappointment. Jewell has been scratched from the tour due to an injury.

Jewell's Web site says the singer fell off a ladder and broke his hand Nov. 19 while putting up Christmas lights at his home. He underwent surgery to correct the break Nov. 22 and won't be able to perform on the rest of the tour. "American Idol" finalist Bucky Covington will take his place instead.

Covington appeared earlier this year on "Idol," blending country and Southern rock in his performances. He will join country newcomers Julie Roberts, Blue County and Steve Azar along with established act Deana Carter on the tour, which was put together by the country music cable channel Great American Country. Christmas tour shows are split in half with singers performing their own songs in the first half and singing a Christmas repertoire during the second part of the show.

Show Me Center marketing director Shannon Buford said having Covington on the tour could help bring in more fans who wouldn't have paid to see a show loaded with artists who are only known as country singers. He hopes the low ticket price of $25 will help.

"I think that you're going to see Bucky draw a lot of those folks that have been so involved with 'American Idol,'" Buford said. "Viewers start to get close to them, and they can pick them out of a crowd in no time flat."

Unlike Jewell, though, Covington has no hits on country radio. Katy Carson, a DJ with country station K103 FM, said she doesn't know if Covington's presence will increase ticket sales since he's not on country radio.

But Carson, a self-professed "Idol" fan, agrees that the addition of Covington might help the concert tap the large population of "Idol" fans in the area. "I think it's cool to see people on TV and then see them in concert," she said.

Covington hopes to have a CD out by Christmas.

Buford didn't have numbers on ticket sales but said they've been steady for the Country Christmas tour, which will hit the Show Me Center the same week as Rick Springfield's "Concert for Sahara" benefit.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

Want to go?

* What: GAC Country Christmas Tour

* When: 7:30 p.m. Monday

* Where: Show Me Center

* Info: 651-5000, www.showmecenter.biz