MONROE — Country music star and Richmond County native Bucky Covington is slated to host the 2015 Artists Music Guild Heritage Awards scheduled to take place Nov. 14 at the AG Convention Center.

Last year’s show was hosted by fellow country music star Billy Gilman and famed puppet Lamb Chop.

Covington will be in rare company. There are scheduled performances by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (“Dancing in the Street”), Dee Dee Sharp (“Mashed Potato Time”), Billy Paul (“Mrs. Jones”), Melanie Safka (“Brand New Key”), Chubby Checker (“The Twist”), David and the Giants (“Riders in the Sky”), David L. Cook (“Drop That Rock”), Mike Manuel (“Got My Name in the Big Book”) plus many more.

Covington first rose to fame as a finalist in the 2005-06 season of “American Idol.” He came in eighth and used that experience as a platform to launch his country music career. Covington released his self-titled album in 2007 and was immediately ranked No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Album chart. That album also brought three hit singles to Covington’s list of accomplishments.

“I am thrilled to have Bucky as this year’s host,” said David L. Cook, the guild’s president and a Christian music artist. “Bucky is from the Rockingham area which is just a county or two over from Monroe, and I am sure many of his fans will love to come and see him during his visit back home. While that is a nice addition, the reason we felt Bucky was a perfect candidate to be our host was as an educational organization, it is important for these young people to understand that if they put their mind to it, they can achieve anything they set out to do.

“Bucky is a prime example that if you have a dream, all you have to do is take one step toward it. Therefore, it’s a thrill to have him come and share that with these kids! This is also the guild’s fifth anniversary and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a great awards show broadcast and premier talent.”

For more information on the program or to purchase tickets, call the AMG offices at 704-282-1164 and visit www.ArtistsMusicGuild.com.

Courtesy photo Bucky Covington, a Richmond County native and country music recording artist, will host the 2015 Artists Music Guild Heritage Awards this fall in Monroe.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Bucky.jpgCourtesy photo Bucky Covington, a Richmond County native and country music recording artist, will host the 2015 Artists Music Guild Heritage Awards this fall in Monroe.

For the Daily Journal