The all new Western Metal Concert Series kicks off at Petco Park Friday night, featuring pop-star Jewel and special guest Colbie Callat. The following night, six-time Grammy-award winner John Legend and special guest Macy Gray will perform.
The two concerts are not the first time music fans have invaded Petco Park. The Rolling Stones and Madonna performed in 2005 and 2008, respectively, with both stars selling out the 40,000 or so seats. The Western Metal Concert Series shows will seat 6,000 guests, creating an intimate and unique experience for concertgoers in the middle of the ballpark.
Many San Diegans know Jewel as “San Diego’s own Jewel” due to her long history with the city. After graduating from high school in 1992, Jewel moved to San Diego to do street performances and small gigs. She eventually gained some recognition at Java Joe’s and Innerchange Coffeehouse in San Diego. She later met local singer/songwriter Steve Poltz and his band, and collaborated with them to create hit song “You Were Meant for Me.” Since she rose to stardom, she has come back to San Diego several times, singing the national anthem for the Super Bowl in 1998 and performing sold-out shows at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay.
Opening up for Jewel will be pop singer Colbie Caillat, known for her hit singles “Bubbly” and “Realize.” In 2008, she won a Grammy for her duet with Jason Mraz, “Lucky.” She has sold more than 4 million albums worldwide.
On Saturday, R&B singer/songwriter John Legend will play Petco. Legend’s album Get Lifted debuted at No. 7 on Billboard 200 and has sold more than 3 million copies. Legend is also known for collaborating with such artists Kanye West, Alicia Keys and Fort Minor.
Two-time Grammy winner Macy Gray will join Legend on Saturday. Gray has released five studio albums but is best known for her single “I try.” Her albums have sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.
Why were these particular artists chosen to perform? The concert series is set on promoting cancer awareness by giving 100 percent of the net proceeds from ticket sales to Stand Up to Cancer, a nonprofit program that raises funds for cancer research. Each of the artists performing has been involved in cancer campaigns in the past.
In 2006, Jewel participated in Lifetime Television’s Stop Breast Cancer for Life campaign and filmed a commercial promoting breast cancer awareness. Caillat raised awareness for cancer prevention by joining the American Cancer Society’s More Birthdays campaign. Legend attended the 14th annual National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund’s New York Gala in 2009 to show his support for raising awareness of the illness. Macy Gray supported the new Breast Cancer Awareness campaign by urging fans to wear Ralph Lauren T-shirts branded with the pink pony logo to promote the organization’s 10th anniversary.
Raising awareness of cancer is no new topic to these artists, and what better way to further support the cause than by attending the concert series?
More Western Metal shows are anticipated at Petco Park next year. Tickets re still available for purchase here.
