Kelly Clarkson

July 7

Breaking Away From Her Title 'American Idol'

Kelly Clarkson may have gained fame from becoming the first American Idol in 2000 but she has since proved that she can stand on her own merits as a singer and performer. Clarkson is currently touring on her double - platinum sophomore album, Breakaway, and will be performing songs off this album at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center Thursday, July 7.

Clarkson has come a long way since her days of performing in school plays in her hometown of Burleson, Texas. After high school she tried her hand at Hollywood, but ended up returning to Burleson where she worked as a cocktail waitress. American Idol was auditioning for its first season when Clarkson's family and friends encouraged her to try out. She performed live in front of 25 million viewers for 10 weeks and went from relative obscurity to stardom – the viewers hoisted her to the top and from the looks of it, she plans on staying at the top. Her first single from her first album, Thankful, landed the number one spot on the Billboard charts within one week. Since releasing Breakaway in 2004, such hits as ‘Since U Been Gone’ and ‘Behind These Hazel Eyes’ have established Clarkson as a breakaway success.

The pop rock melodies of the Graham Colton Band have earned them flattering comparisons ranging from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to Oasis. Though Colton himself hails from Oklahoma City, he began writing and performing songs in and around the Dallas area, where he played pubs and coffee houses for his local fan base. This fan base grew tremendously after Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz heard Colton’s recordings and took the band on their fall ’02 tour. Since then, GCB has toured with other highly recognized performers including John Mayer, Maroon 5 and Dave Matthews. The Graham Colton Band is touring on their major label debut, Drive.

Tickets for Kelly Clarkson with special guest the Graham Colton Band at The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center Thursday, July 7 at 8PM are $29.50 and $39.50 and are ON SALE NOW at all Texas Box Office29-3700-0050 Outlets (includes H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Bee Caves, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos and Taylor; Ft. Hood Bldg. #136 and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. Convenience charges may apply. All information subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available withing walking distance in nearby state and University lots. For more information, call
512/471-7744. uterwincenter.com.