Country star Miranda Lambert to play Poplar Bluff on Saturday

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Platinum recording artist Miranda Lambert, the only solo woman to win album of the year through the Academy of Country Music Awards with two consecutive releases, is making her return to Poplar Bluff, and event promoters anticipate a sell-out performance.

"I love when the fans come to party and sing along to my songs," said Lambert in an e-mail interview. "With a little luck, everyone will leave their worries at the gate that night and just come out to have a great time and forget about regular life and work and whatever else folks are up to."

Country musician Keith Anderson will open for Lambert at the concert scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Black River Coliseum. The show will mark the last stop before Lambert completes her "Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour" in her home state of Texas.

This has been her first official headlining tour. She will continue to open for many more artists down the road, she said, but it was time for her to ask her fans to come out and see her

perform.

"I think it's very important to grow as a performer, and sometimes that means stepping out from the safe zone of the draw of a major star. I am ready," said the 26-year-old, who recently won CMA's top female vocalist and video of the year for her hit "White Liar."

"I am excited about playing in Poplar Bluff," Lambert said.

Lambert previously performed at the coliseum in 2006, drawing more than 3,000 fans, which helped lead the way for many record-breaking attendances, according to Subrina Berger, marketing director and box office manager.

Tickets at the $24.75 price level are still available through Ticketmaster by phone at 800-745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com or in advance at the coliseum box office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

To register for a chance to win a pair of meet-and-greet passes for the show, donate $1 or more to the box office before the end of the work day Friday. All proceeds for the fundraiser will go to Hands on Nashville to purchase cleanup supplies for flood victims.