Country music treasure John Anderson goes pure acoustic Friday at Sondheim

John Anderson is one of the greatest country music singers ever to step up to the microphone, possessing one of the most instantly recognizable vocal instruments in the history of Nashville music, goes pure acoustic at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center's Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts.

An influence to many of today's country artists, a colorful character and country music icon, Anderson has enjoyed a 40-year career, chartering more than 40 singles, 20 reaching the top 10 and seven No. 1 hits: 'Wild and Blue,” 'Swingin',” 'Black Sheep,” 'Straight Tequila Night,” 'Seminole Wind,” 'Money in the Bank,” and 'I Wish I Could Have Been There.”

Anderson is a seasoned and improved model of the same tried-and-true, dyed-in-the-wool country vocalist who has brought a renewed beauty and elegance to the twin-fiddle, steel guitar tradition of the old-time honky-tonk balladeer. His trophy case features seven major awards including a Grammy, Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, Horizon Award and Career Achievement.

'It was unfortunate that John Anderson health issues forced his cancellation last year,” said Rustin Lippincott. executive director of the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. 'He said he was coming back to play when he had canceled, and he kept his word even as he prepares to go out on an arena tour early next year. He is one of the few artists that has helped change the course of country music, arguably for the better. He was the first country music concert we had on the Sondheim stage and it's fitting we have him return for our 10th Artist Series.”

When John Anderson released his self-titled debut album in 1980, the project produced five Top 40 hits, including 'Your Lying Blue Eyes” and '1959.” His subsequent albums continued to churn out even more hit songs, such as 'Wild and Blue,” 'She Sure Got Away With My Heart,” 'Seminole Wind” and 'Bend Until It Breaks,” but his most famous song, and the one fans clamor for the most, is 'Swingin',” from his fourth studio album, Wild & Blue.

Written by Anderson, along with Lionel Delmore, the 63-year-old says it's 'Swingin'” that has helped him fill auditoriums and maintain a multigenerational fan base after all these years.

'I knew then I was very, very lucky to have a song that big, especially to have written it as well as published it,” Anderson told The Boot and other reporters at a media event. 'And when it comes to songs like 'Swingin',” I always give the good Lord credit for my music and the songs I've written, but I thank him many, many times for ‘Swingin'.'

'Swingin'” is one of those songs that kind of takes you back to where you were back then, for those of us that are old enough to remember,” continued Anderson. 'I do see a lot of young fans ... they know every word, so I guess their mom and dad taught it to them.”

Opening the concert at 7 p.m. is Rod Rider. Rod is a country music/musician from Southeast Iowa with over 40 years of experience performing across the Midwest.

Tickets for John Anderson Unplugged are $44 for Zone 1, $39 for Zone 2, $31 for Zone 3, $25 for Zone 4 and $10 for youth and students and are available at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center ticket office, 472-27878 and www.FairfieldACC.com.