(L/R) Mitchell Samborn, Brandy Samborn - " 2 Samborns " Open for Gary Nichols & Rodney Atkins
Local Kids Open For Big Name Country Bands at the Westown
Thursday Night was Cold, but the Talent was Hot Inside The Westown
October 14, 2006
By: Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor
A sold out crowd at the Westown was the setting on Midland Street late last week.
Music lovers of all ages and from all areas came out to The Westown in Bay City Thursday night. Fans from, Bay City, Essexville, Saginaw, Fairgrove, St. Charles, Auburn, Munger and Linwood came out for Country Music stars Gary Nichols and Headliner, Rodney Atkins.
Jay Samborn, owner of Westown, said, "KCQ 98.FM did a great job on promoting the show." Samborn went on to say, "The show was sold out weeks before the event. It looked like everyone had a great time."
Samborn's daughter, Brandy 13, (Keyboards, vocals) and son, Mitchell 9, (Guitar, vocals) of
2 Samborns were the opening act for the night at Westown.
Brandy is a student at Holy Family Middle School, and Mitchell is a student at Holy Trinity.
The
2 Samborns played country songs and also one original that the youngsters co-wrote entitled "Everyone Likes to Dream." This was their fifth concert, but their first indoor concert at the Westown and by the reaction of the crowd, they were a real crowd pleaser.
Samborn, said (of his children) "They worked real hard to prepare for this concert. They looked forward to it and were excited to meet Nichols and Atkins. It was a great night for them."
Samborn continued, "The fans treated them well as did Atkins and Nichols who asked for their autographs."
(Above Left) Rodney Atkins acknowledges the fans up in the balcony of the Westown.
(Above Right) The sold out crowd were lined up around the corner.
Atkins signs an autograph for MBC as well as a line-up of fans waiting to meet him after his performance.
This was Atkins' first appearance in Bay City. Atkins' song
"If You're Going Through Hell" held the #1 on spot the charts for weeks. The song brought everyone to their feet. Atkins says he expects to have a new album out by the 1st of the year.
(Above L/R) Gary Nichols and his 5 band members just got back from Toledo to perform in time at the Westown. Nichols' song
"Unbroken Ground" peaked at #36 in late September 2006. Gary is currently touring the country promoting his second single,
"I Can't Love You Anymore", which was co-written by John Rich and James Otto. The song is being added by major radio stations all over the country.
(Above Left) Minutes before the doors open to the rush of approximately 500 country fans, the security staff takes a moment to "smile" for MBC cameras.
(Above Right) Dana Schabel of Munger and Ryan VanPelt, Bay City native, gave the show a thumbs up! Schabel said she was, "impressed with the night's performances."
(Above Left) Gary Nichols, spends time with fans after the night's show.
(Above Right) Lucky winners of back stage passes, got to meet Rodney Atkins at the "meet & greet" at the Diamond Ball Room.
(Right) Mitchell Samborn of
2 Samborns takes a minute to smile for MBC cameras after his performance, while signing autographs at "the meet & greet" at the Diamond Ball Room.
Upcoming shows at the Westown include:
10/19/06 Thursday - Jim Hoke - Comedian Hypnotist with Special Guest Magician Joel Tacey
11/2/06 Thursday - Bret Michaels of Poison returns to Westown
11/16/06 Thursday - Annual "Deer Hunters Widows" US Calendar Men
To visit
"The Westown" website
Click Here
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