The Augusta area continues to attract a wide range of live entertainment acts, and some are loved by millions of people. Here are some of the major celebrities and bands that have confirmed appearances in the area and what they are known for:
NEEDTOBREATHE
Sept. 1 at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta
A rock band with huge success in Christian music, NEEDTOBREATHE's song "Multiplied" was nominated for the 2015 Grammy for "Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song" and several wins in the GMA Dove awards. Their 2014 song "Brother" is a platinum-recording single. Tickets for "The Caves World Tour" in Augusta start at about $25.
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Joe Gatto
Sept. 28 at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center in Evans
Rising to stardom on truTV's wildly popular reality show "Impractical Jokers," Joe Gatto was known to be unafraid of almost anything his friends dared him to do, delighting viewers with his colorful characters and physical comedy. Since leaving the show after season nine, Gatto has done more solo standup comedy shows, including his current tour: "Let's Get Into It." Tickets start at about $21.
Keith Sweat
Oct. 18 at the Bell Auditorium
R&B artist Keith Sweat is a founding father of new jack swing-style music. His namesake album in 1996 went multi-platinum with 4 million sales, and in the next year was the American Music Awards' "Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist." Some of his most-listened-to songs include "Twisted," "Nobody," and "Make You Sweat." Tickets for his Augusta show start at about $60.
Clint Black
Oct. 25 at the Columbia County PAC
Country artist Clint Black was particularly popular in the 1990s. He was the Academy of Country Music and CMA's Top Male Vocalist of 1990 and his most successful albums were in 1994 with "Killin' Time" and in 1997 with "Put Yourself in My Shoes," which both went triple platinum. Now he's on tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of his "Killin' Time" tour. Tickets start at about $45.
Barenaked Ladies
Oct. 19 at the Bell Auditorium
For those who don't know the Barenaked Ladies, this is not a risqué group. The Canadian rock band won two Billboard awards for their 1998 hit "One Week" and their 1999 album stunt went multiplatinum platinum selling 4 million copies. They are also the band behind the theme song to "The Big Bang Theory" show. Now they are on their "In Flight" tour. Tickets start at about $40.
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Big Daddy Weave
Oct. 25 at Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee in North Augusta
A contemporary Christian band from Alabama, Big Daddy Weave's hottest song might be their 2012 single "Redeemed" which went double platinum with 2 million sales. They have also contributed to several different "WOW" Christian compilation albums since 2003. As a headliner of North Augusta's Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, festival attendees will get to watch and enjoy them for free.
Everclear
Oct. 26 at Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee
On the night after Big Daddy Weave perform, another major headliner will offer a free concert at the jubilee: Portland, OR rock band Everclear. They have had three platinum-recording albums including "So Much for the Afterglow" in 1998 which went double platinum. Despite songs like "Grunge Girl," they don't label themselves as a grunge or punk group, leaning more towards power pop.
Kansas
Nov. 15 at Columbia County PAC
One of the names on plenty of classic rock fans' playlists is Kansas. The American band rose to prominence in the 1970's with their biggest hits probably being "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind," both of which have gone multi-platinum with more 4 million and 3 million sales, respectively. Kansas is currently on its "Another Fork In The Road – 50th Anniversary Tour." Tickets start at about $55.
Jo Koy
Nov. 24 at the Bell Auditorium
Stand-up comedian Jo Koy has been making people laugh since 1994, drawing on his experiences as a father, memories of his mother, and as a member of the Filipino community. He currently has five Netflix shows and was the host of this year's Golden Globes. Koy is currently on his "Just Being Koy" tour. Tickets start at about $47.
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Kathy Griffin
Dec. 7 at the Miller Theater in Augusta
Few punches are pulled when it comes to Kathy Griffin's comedic talents, and that's part of what her audiences love about her. She starred in two Emmy-winning shows: the 1996-2000 sitcom "Suddenly Susan" and the 2005-2010 reality series "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List." Her 2013 special "Calm Down Gurrl" won the Grammy for "Best Comedy Album." Griffin is currently on her "My Life on the PTSD-List" tour. Tickets start at about $49.
