DOUG STONE TICKET SALES PICKING UP

Ticket sales for Saturday's Doug Stone concert got off to a slow start, but are picking up, organizers say.

The country singing star will perform at the Cape Girardeau Central High School Tiger Field House in a fund-raiser for the school's Booster Club.

Jeff Daniel, chairman of the event, said: "The reaction has been tremendous. We have seen a tremendous amount of excitement, particularly because of the fact that the Booster Club was able to bring him in."

Tickets cost $12 and $14 for bleacher seats and $16 for riser and floor seats. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and is scheduled to last about two hours.

Stone has a new song out, "Wishbone," which is already in the top 20. "He's coming into Cape with his new song on the way up the charts," Daniel said.

Among Stone's other hits are "I Never Knew Love," "Fourteen Minutes Old," "In a Different Light," "Why Didn't I Think of That," "A Jukebox With a Country Song," "I'd Be Better Off (In A Pine Box)," "These Lips Don't Know How To Say Goodbye," and "I Thought It Was You."

Appearing with Stone is comedian Jack Wilks. Wilks has performed at clubs across the country, including the Improv in Los Angeles and three theaters in Branson. He has also appeared on "Evening at the Improv" and "Comedy on the Road" on the Arts & Entertainment network.

Daniel said the concert will provide family entertainment. "People who have seen Stone's act say it's really a great night of entertainment," he said.

Fans from as far away as Kansas City, Arkansas and Tennessee have purchased tickets. But Daniel said ticket sales locally had been slower than organizers had hoped.

Daniel said: "The nice thing about Doug Stone is that he responds very well to the type of atmosphere we're trying to create. He enjoys talking to the audience and has even brought someone from the audience up on stage."

Today, Friday and Saturday before the concert, a ticket office will be open in front of the Tiger Field House.

Tickets are also being sold at AmeriFirst Banks in Cape Girardeau and Sikeston, Bi-State Southern in Cape Girardeau, Cape Regional Credit Union, DuShell Furniture and Howard's Sporting Goods.