Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The NFL announced late last week that Lauren Alaina will be singing the national anthem before the Thanksgiving Day game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.

Local fans of American Idol’s Season 10 runner-up might be more interested in this news: Lauren is coming to the York Expo Center for a 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, concert.

The show is called “Jingle Bell Jam” and also will feature Laura Bell Bundy of “Giddy on Up” fame.

Tickets are $12 and go on sale Tuesday at the York Fair Box Office on Carlisle Avenue, by phone at 848-2033 and online at www.yorkfair.com. There is a processing fee for phone, mail and online purchases.

And don’t let the name of the show fool you.

“They’ll play all the songs they have,” said Michael Froehlich, general manager of the York Expo Center. “Hopefully, they’ll sing a couple of Christmas songs, but this is a country concert.”

The Expo Center is working in conjunction with WGTY to bring the country stars to town.  WGTY also plans the free nightly country shows featuring up-and-coming acts at the York Fair each year.

Laura Bell Bundy’s concert at the fair two years ago drew one of the biggest turnouts those shows have seen, Froehlich said.

“It should be a nice, fun concert and help people get in the holiday spirit,” he added.

Lauren’s debut album, “Wildflower,” released a month ago, is number seven on the Billboard country album chart and number 37 on the Billboard 200.

People who attend the Dec. 11 show are encouraged to take along a non-perishable food item for donation to the York Rescue Mission. In return, they’ll receive a coupon for a free small boat of Bricker’s french fries.