Straight from Home of Jamboree USA: Trio of Country Stars Performing Saturday at Meadowbrook Mall
By Julie Perine on September 08, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Wheeling's Capitol Theatre - home of the Jamboree USA - is coming 
to Meadowbrook Mall and bringing along some country music headliners. Alexis Gomez, Kaileigh Bullard and Tristen Smith will perform at Meadowbrook Mall 1 p.m. Saturday.
Gomez was a season 14 finalist on "American Idol" and released her self-titled CD in 2015.
Bullard is a regular on the CMT/ABC musical/drama series, "Nashville." She is backup vocalist and acoustic guitarist for Hayden Panettiere’s character, Juliette Barnes.
Known for his single "Striking Matches," Smith has been part of the country music scene since age 13 when he first performed at Jamboree in the Hills in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
The performance of the three up-and-coming country stars is a traveling preview show to promote "Ticket to Nashville," a new family-friendly musical featuring classic country songs which is set to take the stage of the historic Capitol Theatre Sept. 22-24.
“Our show’s best selling point is our highly talented cast,” said Robin Capehart, show producer. “Our Preview Tour will give folks in central West Virginia the opportunity to see them perform.”
The country music showcase is a first-time event for Meadowbrook Mall which came by way of its sister mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
"The production company reached out to the marketing director there, since it was so close to the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling," said Robin Urquhart, Meadowbrook Mall marketing director. "The marketing director then suggested (the vocalists) perform at both Meadowbrook Mall and our other West Virginia center, Huntington Mall."
The tour kicked off at the Huntington Mall on Sept. 2 and travels to the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville on Sept. 16.
WKKW is a sponsor of the Bridgeport event and will be on hand at Saturday's show, as will Jeff Snider of "The Morning Drive with Jeff and Sarah." Show emcee is Tony Award-winner, Terry Kiser, best known for the title role in "Weekend at Bernie's." Kiser plays the role of Grandpa Woods in "Ticket to Nashville." Gomez plays Cassie Jo Campbell; Bullard plays Lisa Masters and Smith the lead role of Tucker Davis.
Saturday's show is free and open to the public. Each performer will be featured in a 15- to 20-minute meet and greet after his or her performance.
"We’re thrilled to be able to give our shoppers the chance to hear and meet these up and coming country stars," Urquhart said.
"Ticket to Nashville" tells the story of a small-town West Virginia boy deciding between a country music career in Nashville and a quiet life in his hometown with his high school sweetheart and love of his life.
Country classics included in the Capitol Theatre show, as well as Saturday's Meadowbrook Mall performance, include Patsy Cline's “Crazy,” Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You,” Kenny Rogers and Dottie West's "What Are We Doing in Love," as well as tunes by country greats like Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Alabama and many others.
For more information on “Ticket to Nashville,” see www.tickettonashvilleshow.com. For tickets, visit www.capitoltheatrewheeling.com.
Editor's Note: Pictured from top are Smith, Bullard, Gomez and Kiser.
