• Both artists have brand new original Christmas songs to share with fans.
Mark Mackay and Katie Mathews are returning to Afton’s historic Ford Theatre this Saturday, December 23, at 6 p.m., to give their Country Christmas Concert.
“There’s just something special about Star Valley,” said Mathews in an interview on the SVI Radio Network Weekday Wakeup with Duke Dance last week. “The Ford is just so intimate, and it really does allow you to meet everybody and get to know everybody. I think that’s my favorite part. I feel like I have friends.”
Mackay and Mathews each have new extended play releases that they will share with the crowd on Saturday. Both artists also plan to share brand new original Christmas songs.
“We do have a very specific Christmas show we play that’s a little more country and we just love [the Ford],” echoed Mackay in the interview. “We had this Christmas tour last year up there and I was so inspired by how nice everyone was. Just the vibe of snow falling and their families getting together and us being able to slow down a little bit and be able to sing meaningful tunes. It was one of the best memories of my life, so I’m happy to come back.”
Mackay’s band has played in hundreds of shows throughout the country with such heavy hitters as Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, REO Speedwagon and Night Ranger.
Fans who follow Mackay and Mathews on Facebook or Instagram can comment on their recent posts to win two free tickets to the show at the Ford. Search Mark Mackay or Katie Mathews Band to find their pages.
“Christmas is my favorite time of year, so I put a lot of thought behind it,” said Mackay. “Our show is normally so high octane and high energy. It’s not that this show isn’t high energy, but this gives us a second to pull it back in some places and sit down at the piano and play some meaningful stuff. The whole point is that you’re singing along the whole time.”
“Mark is the real deal, an up-and-coming country artist,” said James Arbizu, representing the Ford Theatre. “He just signed with Universal and is touring the country. He found Star Valley before his big break and loved the show we did last year. We are lucky to have him back. He wants to do this show because of the people, even though we are not able to afford his normal fee. Katie Mathews, a local rock star herself from Logan, is also coming back to open for him. Come out and enjoy an awesome evening of country Christmas music.”
For tickets to Saturday’s show, visit saltriverarts.com.
