Sissonville native Adam D. Tucker performs in Las Vegas as Tim McGraw. He's back in West Virginia this weekend for a series of shows, including one at Appalachian Power Park Thursday.
It's been nearly two years since Sissonville native Adam D. Tucker left West Virginia for the bright lights and buzzing glamour of Las Vegas.
"That was pretty weird," he said. "You'd look out and see Forrest Gump in the audience, George Bush and Barack Obama, and all these people who look identical to celebrities."
Award or not, the "Country Superstars" tribute show Tucker's part of is doing very well. Even as a tribute performer, he's gained a certain amount of celebrity of his own.
"The American Cancer Society had an event at the Bellagio," he said. "They had me autographing basketballs with Dr. J. My name was going right beside his."
Tucker said he's a huge basketball fan, but Julius "Dr. J" Irving is a basketball legend. Sharing space on a basketball with the former sports superstar was mind-blowing.
"I mean, I don't think my name belongs next to Dr. J's name."
The singer finds moments like that a bit overwhelming, but doing what he does is still a lot of fun.
A few months ago, Tucker was approached by a college professor from Williams Woods University in Missouri who'd written a parody of Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice." The song, named "Southern Choice," was a tribute to Missouri college football and its entrance into the Southeastern Conference. Tucker was asked to record it.
"I'm a Mountaineer fan," Tucker said. "But it was for a good cause."
Proceeds from the sale of the song, released on iTunes on July 1, go to the Joplin, Miss., relief effort. In May 2011, the city was struck by a powerful tornado that killed 161, injured hundreds more and destroyed thousands of homes.
"I think most people will support me on this one," he added.
Things are going well for Tucker. So well, in fact, that his show is getting loaned out to the Golden Nugget's new location in Atlantic City.
Tucker explained, "The Golden Nugget is expanding to four locations, and we're going to Atlantic City for about a month. I'm really excited about that. It brings me a little closer to my people in West Virginia.
"Maybe some of them will come up. It's always good to see people from West Virginia at the show, that's for sure."
Reach Bill Lynch at ly...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5195.
WANT TO GO?
Adam D. Tucker
WHERE: Appalachian Power Park
WHEN: After Thursday's game, which starts at 7:05 p.m.
TICKETS: $5 or $7 in advance, $2 more on game day or $5 after the seventh inning
INFO: 304-344-2287
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's been nearly two years since Sissonville native
Adam D. Tucker left West Virginia for the bright lights and buzzing glamour of Las Vegas.
This weekend, Tucker returns for a series of shows in West Virginia. Thursday night, he plays Appalachian Power Park. On Friday, he appears at the Old Oak Campground in Masontown, and Saturday, he's at Pipestem State Park.
Very much aware of the storm damage and the people throughout the state without power, Tucker said, "I hope people can come out and maybe take their minds off the heat for a little while."
Tucker said he's looking forward to coming home. With his show schedule at the Gold Nugget on the Vegas strip, it's hard to get away. Aside from performing as Tim McGraw five nights a week, the 32-year-old is involved with local charity work and has his own musical dreams to pursue.
"I just got back from Nashville," the singer explained. "I was doing some recording work with Jason Aldean's people. I still write songs, of course. I'm still trying to be myself, but being Tim McGraw pays the bills."
By now, Tucker has the country superstar's moves and sound down. So much so that he was recently nominated for a Las Vegas Reel Award, an award that honors celebrity impersonators and tribute artists like Tucker.
"I got nominated for Country's Hottest Hitter." He added with a laugh, "I didn't win."
But the convention was a lot of fun. As part of the event, Tucker performed in a showcase before an audience filled with celebrity impersonators.
"That was pretty weird," he said. "You'd look out and see Forrest Gump in the audience, George Bush and Barack Obama, and all these people who look identical to celebrities."
Award or not, the "Country Superstars" tribute show Tucker's part of is doing very well. Even as a tribute performer, he's gained a certain amount of celebrity of his own.
"The American Cancer Society had an event at the Bellagio," he said. "They had me autographing basketballs with Dr. J. My name was going right beside his."
Tucker said he's a huge basketball fan, but Julius "Dr. J" Irving is a basketball legend. Sharing space on a basketball with the former sports superstar was mind-blowing.
"I mean, I don't think my name belongs next to Dr. J's name."
The singer finds moments like that a bit overwhelming, but doing what he does is still a lot of fun.
A few months ago, Tucker was approached by a college professor from Williams Woods University in Missouri who'd written a parody of Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice." The song, named "Southern Choice," was a tribute to Missouri college football and its entrance into the Southeastern Conference. Tucker was asked to record it.
"I'm a Mountaineer fan," Tucker said. "But it was for a good cause."
Proceeds from the sale of the song, released on iTunes on July 1, go to the Joplin, Miss., relief effort. In May 2011, the city was struck by a powerful tornado that killed 161, injured hundreds more and destroyed thousands of homes.
"I think most people will support me on this one," he added.
Things are going well for Tucker. So well, in fact, that his show is getting loaned out to the Golden Nugget's new location in Atlantic City.
Tucker explained, "The Golden Nugget is expanding to four locations, and we're going to Atlantic City for about a month. I'm really excited about that. It brings me a little closer to my people in West Virginia.
"Maybe some of them will come up. It's always good to see people from West Virginia at the show, that's for sure."
Reach Bill Lynch at ly...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5195.
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