Country Superstar Clay Walker Plays SCERA Tonight

With 11 number one singles and two decades in the national spotlight, Texas native Clay Walker will bring some country music to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre tonight, August 28.

Tickets for the 8pm concert are $20 for adults and $15 for children (age 3-11) and seniors (age 65 and older). They are available at www.scera.org, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, or in person at main office at SCERA Center, 745 South State, Orem, open 10am-6pm weekdays and 12Noon-6pm Saturdays. Patrons should bring a blanket or rent a chair for $1.00 (limited quantities available).

The multi-platinum superstar began his string of number one hits with the single, "What's It to You," which climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks in 1993. He followed that success with another number hit the following year with "Live Until I Die." He has placed 31 titles on Billboard's singles charts including such chart toppers as "Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open," "If I Could Make a Living," "This Woman and This Man," "Then What," "She Won't Be Lonely Long," "Who Needs You Baby," "Hypnotize The Moon," "Only on Days That End in Y" and "Rumor Has It."

Since then Walker has released 11 albums, including a greatest hits package and an album of Christmas music. His first four albums earned platinum status and two others have been certified gold.

Knowing early that he wanted to record country music, at age 16 Clay took a tape of a song he wrote to a local radio station only to be turned down because it was against corporate policy to play such tapes on the air. Dejected, he was driving home when he heard the voice on the radio say, "Folks, I'm not supposed to do this, but this song is just too good to pass up. This song was written by a hometown boy; his name is Clay Walker." Walker says even today he considers it one of his career highlights, because at that moment he knew he was going to be a country music singer.

He further polished his game on the Texas honky tonk circuit, learning just what it takes to entertain an audience. He is a bundle of energy whether on stage, training for a cutting horse competition, working on his ranch or playing with his children. As his career ascended in 1996, he felt tingling, numbness and spasms eventually diagnosed as a form of relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis. Through exercise, medication and healthy living, though, he has been able to maintain the health needed his for high-energy concerts and performances. Knowing that others battle MS have not been as fortunate, however, led him to form the Band Against MS Foundation in 2003 and he helps seek a cure as he continues to share the down-home country charm, strong family values and upbeat personality that has kept him and his evocative voice in the country music spotlight.

SCERA President & CEO Adam J. Robertson says, "We've been trying to land Clay Walker for a while now, and people are excited to have him back in Utah."

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