Country star Urban to headline outdoor concert

Keith Urban and his country compatriots are headed for the Halifax Common next summer.

Urban will hit the stage on Aug. 30 for Country Rocks 2008, a nine-hour show featuring seven other performers, including Charlie Major, Johnny Reid and Aaron Pritchett.

Promoter Howard MacKay has backed two other Country Rocks concerts in Moncton, but he said this one will be the biggest yet.

The country concert announcement comes a month afterthecancellation of a Céline Dion showat the park in central Halifax, where the Rolling Stones played to 50,000 fans last year.

Dion's husband and manager, René Angélil, blamed negative reaction in the local media.

MacKay, with Power Promotional Concepts,said the Dion cancellation came up in his negotations with Urban's representatives, but he said he answered their questions and the deal was not in jeopardy.

The Halifax Regional Municipality will spend up to $150,000 on the concert, but hopes to recoup that from a share of the ticket sales.

The country event will alsomark the first time the municipality's new $150,000 ground cover will be used to protect the park.

Early-bird tickets will go on sale starting Friday, ata cost of $89 plus tax each.