Popular bands go back to back in Cape

Back-to-back concerts by popular country and hard rock bands are scheduled for October at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

The country duo Montgomery Gentry with guests Emerson Drive will play Oct. 24. The next night the stage will be taken over by the Canadian hard rock band Nickelback, radio's most played rock band in 2002. The bands Trapt and Three Days Grace are also on the Oct. 25 bill.

Nickelback has established itself as a force on tour. The band ranked 81st in Pollstar's survey of all 2002 tours, averaging sales of nearly 4,000 tickets per night and grossing nearly $75,000 per concert.

Known as a working man's band, Montgomery Gentry drew 1,500 to the SEMO District Fair last year on a Thursday night.

"We're hopeful that we get in the 3,000 range," said David Ross, manager of the Show Me Center. "But it's country music. We could be really wrong and have a huge crowd."

The concerts are being presented on consecutive nights because that's when the groups were available, Ross said. "At one time we were negotiating with three or four shows. They were all clustered in the same time period."

The heavy metal bands Warrant and Firehouse already had been booked for Oct. 25 instead of Nickelback but never returned a signed contract for that date.

"We said other people were clamoring for it," Ross said. "Either they didn't believe it or they were holding out."

He is happy to have Nickelback instead. "It's a solid band," he said. The band's audience ranges in age from 18 to 45, Ross said.

Nickelback appeared on the music scene in 2000 with their album "The State." It spawned the hit singles "Breathe" and "Leader of Men" and put the band on tours with Creed and Fuel. "How You Remind Me," the first single from the band's second CD, "Silver Side Up," topped both the U.S. and Canadian charts.

They're best known for "Hero," one of the themes from the movie "Spider-man," sung with Josey Scott.

Kirby Ray, a DJ at 99.3 Real Rock, said Nickelback has a solid following among the station's listeners. "They have had some great songs. We have six songs in our system, and they've all been in the Top 10."

Trapt is a South African band with a reputation for an exciting live show. Three Days Grace is another Canadian band with a song on the charts, "(I Hate) Everything About You."

Emerson Drive, who also are from Canada, reached No. 3 with their single "Fall Into Me."

A ticket lottery for both the Montgomery Gentry and Nickelback shows will begin at 7 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Show Me Center Box Office. Sales will begin at 9 a.m. Tickets also will be available at Schnuck's and PMAC Music outlets.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182