The Gem Theater in Etowah, Tennessee will again sets the scene for National and World Award Winning Elvis Tribute Artist MATT CORDELL Saturday and Sunday, February 16^th, and 17^th.  The Merchants and Friends of Etowah and Etowah Parks and Recreation will sponsor the first show, Saturday, February 16^th, at 7:30 PM, as Matt Cordell celebrates Valentines by wooing his fans to an amazing performance of many favorite Elvis songs for those in love, been in love, or waiting for that right love!  For many fans, just loving your family is an awesome way to celebrate Valentines and even though the concert will be a few days past February 14^th, you’ll not find a better way to celebrate with your loved ones and friends.

            Sunday, February 17^th, Matt Cordell will help us celebrate with another wonderful group of fans – our veterans!  Yes, The Merchants and Friends of Etowah and Etowah Parks and Recreation will proudly honor veterans, active, inactive, and retired who have sacrificed so much for our country.  Businesses and individuals who would like to sponsor by donating monies to purchase the tickets for our veterans, can call our coordinator for a sponsor form, if your business has not received one in the mail.  The name and number to call regarding sponsor donations or tickets is Maxine Jones at 423-618-0375.  You can mail your donation to Merchants and Friends of Etowah, PO Box 415, Etowah, TN  37331.

            We would like to see the Gem Theater filled with our Veterans and spouses on Sunday; to do so we need to fill 500 seats.  We want to do something special for the Veterans, but do not want to charge the veterans for a show that is to Honor Them.  Yet, we cannot hold the show with out money to pay the expenses.  We appreciate everyone who can sponsor by donating monies to pay for a few veterans’ tickets for Sunday’s show, even if it is to donate money for one Sunday ticket, when you purchase your Saturday night show tickets. Every donation is very much appreciated.

             The Merchants & Friends of Etowah coordinate the Elvis Tribute Concert twice a year and after expenses, the monies are used through out the year. They hold different educational programs, which focus on youth and adults; such as the art walk held in down town Etowah.  They have also held several two day literary events that bring authors from many counties and states to the Etowah downtown.  As the merchants and businesses host these authors in their stores, the public enjoys visiting and meeting Etowah’s special guest, purchasing many of their books and have them autographed while they are there.  They have hosted an awesome night at the theater called “Books Alive” honoring the publish authors.  This event puts the authors on stage at the Gem Theater, performing through reading excerpts from their published books. 

            They also sponsor and coordinated a writing competition in the schools, where 3^rd through 8^th graders were given a topic to write; the papers were judged and the winners each receive a savings bond. 

            The Merchants & Friends of Etowah also donate monies and volunteers continue to work on the ongoing restoration project of the Gem Theater.  They assist merchants should a tragedy happen and they advertise for the town as a united group for events that are held by other organizations.  In the recent slow economy, group advertising has been the only way some businesses could advertise.

            General tickets can be purchased on line at our web site www.etowahtn.org , or at Etowah Chamber of Commerce, Etowah Gentle Dental, and Interiors by Design.  In Athens, Prissy Closet and The Justice Center; in Cleveland, Relics Antiques will have tickets; and in Sweetwater Picket Fence Galleries have tickets and in Madisonville Wren Cottage Antiques & Home will be glad to assist you with general tickets.  All general seat tickets are $12.00. 

            Reserve seat tickets will be $15.00 and may be purchased on line at www.etowahtn.org  or Etowah Community Center.  We only have 200 reserve seat tickets available for Saturday, Feb. 16th.  The reserve seat tickets purchased online will be held in an envelope with your name on it till the day of the concert.  Box office window will open at 2pm on February 16^th for you to pick up your pre-paid reserve and general tickets.  They ask that those tickets be picked up by 5pm.

            The Merchants and Friends of Etowah appreciate even the smallest donation; an amount as little as $30.00, will purchase tickets for a veteran and spouse.  If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call their coordinator, Maxine Jones – 423-618-0375, President Chanel Groomes – 423-263-7499, or click on www.etowahtn.org and write to them.  Mr. Bob Holton, Merchants web master will answer you or forward your questions to one of the officers.

Written by Maxine Jones – any questions, do not hesitate to call 423-618-0375. 

Other notes:

I have already had several veterans to call wanting to donate for this show.  They should not have to.  There are so many of us, individuals and businesses that we should be able to provide them with an awesome evening with Matt Cordell as he performs songs or Faith and Patriotism.

We just ask the communities to support this great event.  We really thank Cleveland for all those who attend the Matt Cordell shows.  Cleveland supporters have always attended Matt’s show, many times with over two hundred fans from here, and we are very grateful.