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Country artist Jeff Luckadoo to perform at the Charlotte Music Awards
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In just two weeks, when the "red carpet" is unfurled for the 3rd Annual Charlotte Music Awards, local Country entertainer Jeff Luckadoo will proudly take a stroll.
The name may not be as familiar in music circles as Adkins, Keith or Tritt but, you can bet the heart in the body of this budding Country music entertainer is the same.
Jeff Luckadoo was born to a military family in Killeen, Texas. His father served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era and was stationed at nearby Fort Hood. With the military service completed, father Gerald and mother Shirley moved the family to North Carolina. The Gaston County town of Mount Holly was the residence of choice. There young Jeff acquired a love for music, especially Country music. He attended and graduated from East Gaston High School. Upon graduation he obtained his Business and Marketing degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Even though obviously academically inclined, Jeff just didn't feel that the business world was his calling. His passion for music increased and so did his pursuits. He found himself identifying with the "working man", the blue collar side of life. Even his choice of employment followed that path. Jeff worked with his hands in the building trade off and on over the years, something he still pursues. At one time he owned his on business in which he sold outdoor accessories such as storage buildings, picnic tables, etc. It stands to reason that he would pick up the craft of actually building and assembling these items, as well. It wasn't until more recent years, however, that he became more serious about his love of music and transferred his assemby skills to those of lyrics; in other words, songwriting.
Over the last few years, Jeff has worked diligently to make his dream come true. He has entered numerous talent competitions. In most cases he has placed high or wins. Most recently he reached the finals of the Colgate Country Showdown (http://www.countryshowdown.com) sponsored by WRHI Radio 1340AM and 94.3FM (http://www.wrhi.com/) in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The competition is a nation-wide talent contest which advances competitors through local, regional and national levels. Jeff managed to place in the finals of the event held at the Sylvia Theater (http://sylviatheater.com) in York, South Carolina. Earlier in the year, he won the Charlotte Music Awards Country Showcase held at Pucketts Farm Equipment (http://www.puckettsfarm.com) in Charlotte, North Carolina. He recalls this win with much fondness saying that he competed with some "very talented local people". This win gained him some recognition on the local music scene and, more importantly, confidence to continue the pursuit of his dreams. One of his crowning moments in the music industry, though, came when he was asked to open for Country artist John Anderson (http://www.johnanderson.com) ("Swingin'", "Straight Tequila Night", "Seminole Wind") at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte. The event was held as a fundraiser for the Charlotte Firefighters Association (http://www.cffa660.org). "I can't say enough about these guys (firemen)...". "By virtue of getting that gig, it forced me to get a band together. That lit the fire under me, so to speak."
Today, Jeff spends a lot of time writing, singularly and plurally. One writing partner that most Country aficionados may recognize is Austin Roberts, writer for Country Superstar Reba McEntire's hit "You Lie". Jeff released his first project, a CD entitled "Carolina Blue", in 2008. He either wrote or co-wrote every song on the album. The song list consists of Americana cuts ("Carolina Blue", "Baseball On My Mind"), soulfulful ballads with duet partner and friend Holland Hamrick ("One More Dance") and hard-driving Country songs ("My Red Neck"). He says it is difficult to choose but, one of his favorite cuts is "Carolina Blue". "The nature of the song, the reference to the great state we live in...it's a fun song to do...not typical of the kind of songs I do." Another "fun song" from the album is "Baseball On My Mind", a song which Jeff co-wrote with his son Luke. Both Jeff and Luke participated in baseball of some kind. Jeff played American Legion Baseball for Stanley Post 266 in Stanley, North Carolina for several years. He says he is still an avid softball player. The inspiration for the song came from his son's involvement with little league baseball.
The CD project came about as a result of a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council (http://www.ncarts.org). Through the council, individuals may apply for funds to produce a project. Jeff was a lucky recipient of the grant which demonstrates his tenacity when it comes to music. He has received a few performance gigs out of the recognition, as well. "A lot of the gigs are benefits which I don't mind doing at all. I feel it is a way to give back to someone who believed in me." Jeff says that there are enough songs written for another CD project but he wants to take his time and put out the best product possible. He also dabbles in the fielding of acting. Jeff can be seen in the movie "Praise Band" a film about a band's effort in music ministry in a small town church. This role for Jeff as "John Collins" is ironic because he has actually lead musical worship in vacation bible school at his home church of First Baptist of Stanley, North Carolina (www.fbcstanley.org). The movie also stars Grand Ole Opry member and Country music legend George Hamilton IV (www.georgeiv.net).
Jeff can be seen on Charlotte's Fox News Rising (www.foxcharlotte.com) on the morning of November 17, 2009. He along with Charlotte Music Awards founder Jeffrey Cheen will be appearing to promote the upcoming 3rd Annual Charlote Music Awardsevent. Check Jeff out on line at www.myspace.com/jeffluckadoomusic, too. If you are interested in attending the Charlotte Music Awards and seeing Jeff perform live, tickets are still available. Visit the Charlotte Music Awards website (www.charlottemusicawrds.org) for more information.
For more info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ7ypmUlp68 , http://www.examiner.com/x-19116-Charlotte-Country-Music-News-Examiner~y2009m10d29-3rd-Annual-Charlotte-Music-Awards-just-three-weeks-away , http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=91505
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