HUNTINGTON -- Jim "Front Row" Perdue beat the competition once again. He was at the front of the line to purchase tickets to the "American Idol" concert at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.
"I try to always get front row," Perdue said with a smile.
About 9,000 tickets went on sale for the Sept. 15th concert at 10 a.m. Saturday. The show will feature the top 10 "American Idol" performers from the sixth season.
Perdue, who had been in line since 10 a.m. Friday, wasn't sure if the wait was necessary.
"This is a small line compared to last year," Perdue said.
About 40 people were in line to purchase tickets before the booths opened. Last year, tickets to the "American Idol" concert sold out in 30 minutes, becoming the fastest sell-out in the arena's history. This year's ticket sales are moving a little slower.
"We sold about three-quarters and have about one-quarter left," said A.J. Boleski, general manager of Big Sandy Superstore Arena. "They'll be on sale until showtime."
Boleski said most of the sales are done online, about 60 to 70 percent. This year, Boleski said he's certain the concert will sell out.
"We were spoiled last year," he said. "I don't know what it is, but there are always factors involved. I don't know if last year's show was hotter or what. I think we'll sell out. It may take a little longer."
Those performers, hot or not, include the top two finalists, Jordin Sparks (a former backup singer for Kenova native Christian pop artist Michael W. Smith) and Blake Lewis, who square off this week in the show's season finale. Other contestants on the tour will include Melinda Doolittle, Chris Sligh, Gina Glocksen, Haley Scarnato, Chris Richardson, Lakisha Jones, Phil Stacey and Sanjaya Malakar.
Regardless of how many people show up for the concert or how fast the tickets sell, Sharon Walker was curious about Malakar's appearance at the Huntington show.
"Sanjaya (Malakar) is going to be here," said Walker in excitement. "I wonder if he's going to have purple hair or pink hair."
Not to mention, this year Walker can get her tickets at a more affordable rate. Tickets for the concert are sold at $48.50 and $65.
"Last year, I couldn't get the tickets on the first day," said Walker, the 35th person in line. "I had to buy tickets online for $300 a piece. I was glad to get tickets."
Twelve-year-old Madison Gould of Ashland had been in line since 4:30 p.m. Friday. She sat in a lawn chair bundled up with a fleece blanket with her mom for hours in line just to see her favorite -- Blake Lewis. Madison said Lewis has been her favorite from the beginning. She enjoys his unique talents.
"He's good at beat-boxing," Madison said. "I can't do it."
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