Eight decades ago, the world was a different place. A gallon of gas cost 10 cents, the average cost for house rent $22 per month, a loaf of bread was 8 cents and the average new car price was $625. Since then, the world has changed greatly. One thing, though, has not changed and that is Community Concerts’ commitment to deliver top-notch entertainment to Fayetteville. And the organization has done just that, every season — for 81 years. 

While there was some rescheduling after the original lineup was announced for the year due to a tour cancellation, that turned out to be a good thing. With another first-rate lineup in store, this year is set to deliver six concerts with Vince Gill opening the season. “This show is Friday, Nov. 11. It is Veterans Day. We want all active duty service members and veterans to come out. We will do a special tribute to our vets,” said Community Concerts Attractions Director Michael Fleishman. “And the last time we had Vince Gill here was for our 75th anniversary season. We had Vince and Amy and sold it out. He is an unbelievable performer.”

Vince Gills’s music career started 40 years ago in 1976 when he joined Pure Prairie League. He released Turn Me Loose in 1984, The Things That Matter in 1985 and The Way Back Home in 1987 before releasing his breakthrough hit “When I Call Your Name,” in 1990. The song won the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year in addition to a GRAMMY Award. Seventeen CMA  awards and 20  GRAMMYs later, Gill is still going strong.  He’s received eight Academy of Country Music awards, including the Home Depot Humanitarian Award and the 2011 Career Achievement Award. In 2007, Gill was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  He’s a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He recently performed on stage at The 50th Annual CMA Awards with fellow former CMA Entertainer of the Year winners Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Charley Pride, Reba and George Strait.

On Jan. 20, The Beach Boys bring a taste of summer to break up the winter chill. “This is one of the most iconic groups of all time,” said Fleishman. “It’s a show you don’t want to miss.”

On Feb. 20, Popovich Pet Comedy takes the stage. This family-friendly show is a first for Community Concerts. “We’ve added, for the first time ever, a special attraction. It is the number one family show in Vegas,” said Fleishman. “The guy that runs it, Gregory Popovich, is considered one of the best physical comedians on the planet. He has taken rescue animals and made a circus with them. He’s been on all the late night shows and won all kinds of awards. Part of the reason we decided to do this is because this is a family show. This show starts at a different time to make it even more kid-friendly. Parents and kids will both love this show. We are just trying to keep it fresh and we have always wanted to do something special like this for the kids.”

Foreigner is next in the series and is scheduled for Feb. 25. According to Fleishman, concert-goers are in for a surprise at this show. The Music Hall of Fame inductees will be announced, but there is more. “Foreigner took a very long time to book. It is a very big show,” said Fleishman. “Foreigner is rock royalty. That is a show with a lot of surprises. Don’t be surprised if you see a choir on stage in the middle of a rock show.”

On March 18, The Ten Tenors, one of Australia’s most popular entertainment groups, takes the stage. This replaces the Four Tenors concert previously scheduled. “Things like this happen on occasion, but we got a bigger, better show and everyone will love it,” said Fleishman. “They have played for millions. This is a truly talented group.  They do everything from classical to Queen. This season we have more hits that we ever had before, if you add them all up.”

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles closes the season on April 11. “Rain is a very special show. It played Broadway and is more than a tribute concert,” said Fleishman. “It is a  note-for-note recreation of the Beatles sound and one of the best light shows you will ever see - ever. This isn’t just guys up on stage singing. We take production values very seriously when we put on a show. You won’t see people coming out and sitting on a stool and playing a guitar. We don’t put on concerts. We put on shows.”