Country artist Blake Shelton draws in fans with interaction

Michele Peters of Cape Girardeau stood patiently in line with hundreds of fans waiting to meet country superstar Blake Shelton before his concert Saturday night at the Show Me Center. Holding a sign that read "I survived cancer to get a kiss from Blake" the three-year colon cancer survivor said Shelton and his music helped get her through her illness.

"He's so beautiful, those blue eyes. His music really helped me," she said. "I just love him."

Her patience was rewarded with what Peters called better than a kiss.

"He hugged me and when he did, my lips touched his neck," she said.

Peters was one of the more than 4,400 fans at the Show Me Center when Shelton took the stage performing "Hay," before launching into his hit "All About Tonight."

Shelton is known for his down-to-earth attitude and interacting with the crowd during his performances.

Country crooner Blake Shelton performs "Some Beach" Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. The concert featured opening acts The Band Perry and Easton Corbin. (Laura Simon)

For 10-year-old Matthew Roberts of Anna, Ill., Saturday's show was his first concert. Wearing a Blake Shelton baseball hat and concert T-shirt, he said he loves Shelton and was really excited to see and hear him in person.

He said he likes not only Shelton's music but his attitude. His favorite songs include "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking" and "Ol' Red."

Roberts has asked for guitar lessons so he can one day be a country music performer.

Show Me Center marketing director Shannon Buford said getting an A-list performer like Shelton is a big deal. Fans came from St. Louis and Illinois, Iowa and other Midwestern states to see one of country music's hottest acts.

Shelton was named the Country Music Association's 2010 Male Vocalist of the Year, and released his greatest hits collection, "Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton," in November.

With the recent cancellation of a scheduled Willie Nelson performance, Shelton's concert is the only country music show scheduled at the Show Me Center this year, Buford said.

Buford said Shelton is a top draw in any venue, largely because he is such a "fan-friendly" artist and puts on a great show.

Shelton's performance at the Show Me Center was part of his "All About Tonight" tour.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

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