If you are looking for a couple last minute Christmas gift ideas, consider buying someone tickets for one or more of the upcoming concerts in Carlsbad. 

The Country band Lonestar will be performing at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts and Exhibition Center on Feb. 17. Special Guest Will Banister will also be featured. The concert will run from 8-11 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. You can purchase tickets here: https://tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/402238

Lonestar, formerly known as Texassee, is a country music group from Nashville. The band has chartered more than 20 singles in the Hot Country Songs chart, including nine that reached No. 1. Current members are Michael Britt, Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater and Drew Womack.  Former top songs include “What About Now” and “I’m Already There.” 

Christian Band Casting Crowns will be visiting Carlsbad as part of its Healer Tour on March 30. This concert, also at the civic center, will include We Are Messengers and Ben Fuller. You can purchase tickets at https://www.itickets.com/events/471225?aff=BIT&fbclid=IwAR17vA_FR5vp8-XvICpXV6hyq7EviezMR9IFXS6IZdSBFx7bDJ3isNiAeyQ.

Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian rock band that first started in 1999. Youth pastor Mark Hall, who serves as the lead vocalist, first organized the band. Casting Crowns has won a Grammy and a Dove Award, and was extremely popular during a previous visit to Carlsbad. Hall now serves as youth minister at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. 

In addition to being a lot of fun, a high attendance at concerts such as these means more and more bands will look at visiting here. We’ll keep working to bring more acts to Carlsbad.

From the office of Mayor Dale Janway