Performers need fan support for concerts

Southeast Missouri residents don't have to go to St. Louis to see top acts anymore. Several performers who have No. 1 hits on the charts are coming here to perform at the Show Me Center.

Matchbox Twenty, a rock 'n' roll band that has had several top hits, is headlining a concert Dec. 7 at the Show Me Center. Currently, it has five songs that are in the rotation at a local radio station. Even the band's opening act, Fountains of Wayne, has a song on the charts right now.

The popular rock band Nickelback also will play at the Show Me Center on Oct. 25. Show Me Center manager David Ross says that Matchbox Twenty is the biggest band to come to Cape Girardeau since Toby Keith last March.

For years, big name rock artists have chosen to bypass Cape Girardeau for whatever reason. Ross says the concert business appears to be changing.

The lack of big-name bands coming here has caused some people to be critical of Cape Girardeau, complaining that there's little to do when it comes to seeing good live bands.

Complaining is fine. But we would ask those who have complained to do one thing: Show up for these concerts. The only way to continue getting talented, big-name bands is for it to be profitable for them. The big name acts are showing up. Now we have to.