4th Annual Cox Community Concert Features Travis Tritt

 

story and photos by Brittany Ransom
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Fall was in the air as thousands gathered Thursday evening (September 8) to hear country singer Travis Tritt at the 4th annual Cox Community Concert. Held at Harry E. Kelley Riverpark in Fort Smith, the event helped kick-off the first annual Festival on the Border.

The crowd scattered throughout the park along the river with lawn chairs and blankets in tow. Concessions were also open with all proceeds supporting the charities benefitted by the Festival on the Border.

Prior to Tritt’s performance, Janet Barnard, Cox Communications, and Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders welcomed the crowd. Barnard expressed her appreciation for the community’s support of the event and added that Cox was proud to partner with the city for the Festival on the Border.

Mayor Sanders also thanked the crowd and noted that concert-goers had travelled from all over the state and from throughout the region to attend. He added that the crowd was the largest and greatest in the concert’s four year history.

Shortly before 8 p.m., Tritt took the stage and performed hits both old and new much to the crowd’s delight. The audience sang along as he played songs such as “I’m Gonna Be Somebody” and “Put Some Drive in Your Country.”

Tritt, an award-winning artist, is known for his mix of southern rock and classic country. As one of the leading new country artists in the early 90’s, Tritt earned acclaim with hits such as “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” “Country Club” and “Help Me Hold On.” Throughout his career, he has performed with legends including Charlie Daniels, Patti LaBelle and Marty Stuart. In 1992, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

Tickets for the event were free and were distributed at area Cox locations while they lasted. Nearly 12,000 tickets were given away in the weeks leading up to the show. The concert was a collaboration between Cox and the City of Fort Smith. The goal of the partnership is to help bring artists to the Fort Smith area for all to enjoy without ticket or event costs being a factor.