MARQUETTE, Mich.—Country artist and former American Idol finalist Josh Gracin will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, in Northern Michigan University’s Vandament Arena.

            Gracin’s experiences as a singer started at a young age, where he took part in everything from the operatic as a member of a school choir to Motown as the only male singer in a review called the Fairlane Youth Pop Orchestra. While still in school, this Michigan native took part in a talent competition that took him to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, Gracin competed on the second season of popular television show “American Idol,” where he took fourth place overall. 

His music has been featured on Disney’s “Herbie: Fully Loaded” soundtrack, as well as a compilation of Disney songs performed by country artists. He has released two studio albums: a self-titled debut; and his second album, “We Weren’t Crazy.”

A “Tweet to Win” contest is being held as part of Gracin’s fall tour. Fans may send cover song requests for the NMU show to his Twitter page. The set list for the show will be created from fan requests and his greatest hits. Gracin will pick one winning tweeter who is present at the NMU show to join him on stage for a duet or serenade. At the concert, fans will also learn how to enter to win the grand prize of two round-trip flights to Los Angeles, a two-night hotel stay and two on-camera seats at a select “American Idol” taping.

            Tickets for the concert cost $13 for NMU students and $17 for the general public. They are available at all NMU EZ Ticket outlets.