LOGANSPORT — Logansport native Dale Clear will take the stage with rising country singer Craig Campbell at a performance Saturday.
Craig Campbell and his band will play a concert at McHale Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Clear, who is now Campbell’s tour manager, previously played guitar in Campbell’s band.
Clear moved to Nashville in 2006 and was introduced to Campbell through one of his band members. He played for Craig a few nights a week on Broadway before getting hired to go on the road with country acts like Kellie Pickler and Chris Young.
“Craig and I talked and decided that if he got a record deal I would play for him,” Clear said. “Once he signed with Bigger Picture he asked me to come out and play guitar.”
Clear played guitar for Campbell for a year and a half while simultaneously filling Campbell’s tour manager position.
Clear told Campbell about six months ago that he was going to have to quit playing in order to take care of the tour managing duties. As manger he oversees everything, including show approval.
“I’m going to be playing guitar for the show in Logansport,” Clear said. “At this stage in my life being tour manager is better, but I definitely miss being on stage and performing.”
The Logansport Performing Arts Council reached out to Clear, he said, and had a lot to do with the band coming to Logansport.
Clear said he has fond memories of Logansport. He used to play in bands with guys from Logansport and he and his wife, Heather, were sweethearts at their alma mater, Logansport High School.
“My father, Jim, has always been my biggest fan and he is the reason that I am in the music business today,” Clear said. “Without his support I would have never had the opportunity to learn to play the guitar and be where I am today.”
Clear said that it will be neat not only to return to the stage with Campbell, but also to do so in his hometown.
Campbell and his band will play a 75-minute show including his current single “Outta My Head,” songs from his self-titled album and new songs, Campbell said.
Campbell was nominated for “Music Video of the Year” and “Single of the Year” in the New Artist category at the American Country Awards.
“We’re just going to do what we always do,” Campbell said. “We plan to play the best show they’ve ever seen. It will be a good night of country music.”
A Georgia native, Campbell moved to Nashville in 2002 to pursue country music dreams. He found work as a demo singer and as a keyboard player in Luke Bryan and Tracy Byrd’s. He opened for people like Alan Jackson and Luke Bryan before signing with Keith Stegall’s label, Bigger Picture, more than three years ago.
Campbell said that he has been singing for as long as he can remember and it’s a part of him that he can’t shake.
He’s seen success in his songs “Family Man,” which was his first Top 15 hit and was featured in HBO’s True Blood, and “Fish,” which has sold over a quarter of a million downloads. Campbell’s sophomore album is expected in the spring.
“I’m excited to have Dale playing in the band this weekend,” Campbell said. “I’m looking forward to playing new music and we’re going to have fun no matter what.”
• Amie Sites is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5150 or amie.sites@pharostribune.com.
WANT TO GO?
What: Country singer Craig Campbell in concert
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: McHale Performing Arts Center
Cost: Tickets are either $25 or $35 and can be purchased during regular box office hours or in the hour before the performance.
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