James Otto concert set

He co-wrote the Jamey Johnson song “In Color,” which was also nominated for a Grammy that year, and won the Country Music Academy’s song of the year in 2008. He also penned the Zac Brown Band hit “No Hurry.”

“He’s probably the most accomplished country musician that I can think of in The Dalles, for decades,” said Doug Kirchhofer, president of the Fort Dalles Fourth committee.

Nolan Hare, festival director, said, “This isn’t a standard show we see every day. We have a lot of great events people do but this is one of those next-level … national, active touring artist.” He added, “We’ve got the best production company in the Northwest, they do all the arena shows.”

Just last November, Otto released a new single, “Somewhere Tonight,” that he picked from the hundreds of songs he penned during a self-imposed hiatus from touring that he took to devote to his family and songwriting, according to his web-

site. Tickets to the concert are $15, and will feature festival seating at the Lewis and Clark Festival Park. They go on sale May 1 at Optimist Printers, Copper West Properties, Westwind Frame & Gallery, Maupin Stoves & Spas and online at Fortdallesfourth.com.

The presenting sponsor for the event is Y102, and there is still time, until the end of April, for more businesses to partner with either the Fort Dalles Fourth or the country act, Kirchhofer said.

“It’s kind of an intimate venue for a national country act and the tickets are limited,” said Kirchhofer. While pre-sale prices are $15, if they don’t sell out they will be $20 at the door, he said.

The venue will also offer a limited amount of VIP tickets, though prices and what the price includes will be determined by May 1, said Hare.

Gates will open at 5 p.m., and two regional bands will open for Otto. One of the bands will be selected during a Battle of the Bands event run by Hare on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend.

Otto is flying in from Nashville for the show, Hare said. “This is a special event, a special occasion.”

The concert is a benefit fundraiser for the Fort Dalles Fourth celebration, Kirchhofer said, “So all proceeds after costs are going to support the Fourth of July events for this year and hopefully following years if we get a good response.”

A full day is planned for Saturday, July 4, including a fun run, booths at the festival site, a parade, musical acts all day long, and capped by a fireworks display.

Hare has performed at the Lewis and Clark Festival site and said freeway and train noise are not an issue. “Honestly, when I was playing there, I didn’t even realize the freeway and the train. It’s just kind of goes away.”

Otto had the Country Single of the Year in 2008, according to Billboard magazine.