Country star Travis Tritt performs Friday in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Grammy Award-winning country artist Travis Tritt is coming to the Black River Coliseum on Friday, with Cody Canada and the Departed and the Walker Bros. of Bernie, Mo., as opening acts.

The show starts at 6:50 p.m., with Tritt taking the stage at 9 p.m. for a two-hour set.

"Normally you'll get a 70- to 90-minute set," said Coliseum box office manager Subrina Berger. "Not many artists can sustain their performance for that length of time."

Tritt has had 10 albums in the top 20 of the Billboard Country Albums chart, starting with "Country Club" in 1990.

Popular singles include "Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)," "Tell Me I Was Dreaming" and "It's a Great Day to Be Alive."

Berger said she hopes for a large turnout because of all the show offers.

"They are going to be getting the best of Travis Tritt, and there's a lot of it," Berger said. "He's considered a classic country artist and a blues country artist."

Not just a talented singer, Berger said Tritt is known for his ability to "feel the music, just jam."

Tritt has performed in Poplar Bluff before, and Berger said he has wanted to return for several years.

"I think our demographic is a reachable audience," she said. "We know that we've made better strides on the money side of it with country artists than rock artists."

Canada has been to Poplar Bluff before, with Cross Canadian Ragweed, opening for acts such as Gary Allan. This will be his first visit with the Departed.

"We've played there so long, we have a lot of friends, people we keep up with there," he said.

Friday's show will also be his first with Travis Tritt.

"I've seen him in concert several times but this is my first time to be the opening act," Canada said. "I would associate this band with Travis Tritt's early stuff. I think that'll probably fit, going right along with the stuff in the very beginning for him."

With Cross Canadian Ragweed, Canada had four albums in the top 10 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.

Cody Canada & The Departed's debut album "This is Indian Land," released in 2011, reached the top 20 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. The band is recording an album to be released in the fall.

Canada formed the Departed with former Ragweed bassist Jeremy Plato. The band also features Seth James on guitar, Steve Littleton on keyboard and Dave Bowen on drums.

Advance tickets start at $27 for upper level and $32 for lower level. Seating in the two levels is general admission.

For more information, call the box office at 573-686-8001 or visit blackrivercoliseum.com.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO