'American Idol' contestant Lauren Mascitti returning home for Centennial Plaza concert
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Stark County native and former "American Idol" contestant Lauren Mascitti will headline a free May 21 concert benefiting first responders at Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton.
This is expected to be Mascitti's biggest homecoming show since she gained fame for her country music performances on the popular television show in 2020. She advanced to the cusp of the top 20 finalists.
Since then, Mascitti has continued recording new music and performing while also working as a nurse at TriStar Horizon Medical Center outside Nashville.
The concert starts at 6 p.m. with opener the Buck Naked Band. Mascitti will take the stage at 8 p.m.
More: Lauren Mascitti’s `American Idol’ journey ends
More: Stark County’s Lauren Mascitti is living the ’American Idol’ dream
The show is being sponsored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village, Kempthorn Motors and the Akron-based WQMX 94.9 country music radio.
All donations will benefit volunteer, reserve and auxiliary firefighters, paramedics and police officers who incur out-of-pocket expenses while serving the public.
From 7-year-old singer to 'American Idol' contender
The singer appeared on season 18 of American Idol, where she performed her original song, "God Made a Woman," which rose to No. 10 on the iTunes country music chart. Mascitti’s album of the same name reached No. 4 on iTunes for country albums.
Mascitti began writing songs at age 7. As a teen, she performed six shows a week in Branson, Missouri, with the late Gary McSpadden, a gospel singer and former member of The Oak Ridge Boys.
Mascitti released a new single earlier this month, "If I Can Lose You."
When interviewed during a break at her show in Hartville in October, the Nashville-based artist said she would be working on material for a new album.
New song to be played at Canton concert
At the upcoming Canton concert, Mascitti will be marking the release of another new song, "Everybody Said Amen."
"I wrote this song coming out on the other side of working through COVID as a nurse," she said in a prepared statement. "Things started clearing up and getting better at the hospital, and I felt like we could finally breathe again.
"My spirit wasn’t so heavy," Mascitti continued. "Lyrically, I wanted to say that I’m going to live my life to the fullest, keep looking up, and not let past pain hold me back. It means the world to celebrate the release of this song in my hometown.
"I love Canton (and Louisville), and am so proud to have been a part of such a great town and local music community," she said. "This will be the first opportunity for fans to hear the up-tempo, feel-good tune live.”
Mascitti has performed with Brad Paisley and Shania Twain
After earning a nursing degree in 2013 from Stark State College, Mascitti moved to Nashville.
Known for her classic country sound and pristine, soulful vocals, she performed with Brad Paisley and Shania Twain in a concert honoring fellow health care workers during the pandemic, and recently made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
Her album "God Made a Woman" was named as one of 2020's best by The New York Times.
Mascitti, who graduated from Louisville High, also has written or performed with Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Larry Gatlin, Pam Tillis, Shawn Camp, Matraca Berg, Delbert McClinton, Gary Nicholson, Bobby Tomberlin and others.
Her other songs include "All the Words He Never Said," "Hello Sad Eyes," "Ballad of a Broken Heart," "The Best of Me," "It's Never Just a Song" and "Still Standing."
Mascitti is proud Louisville High graduate and 'proud Ohio girl'
Last fall, Mascitti performed a rare Stark County show at the Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market during the Hartville Americana event.
Her setlist had included "Stand By Your Man" by Tammy Wynette; "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" by Crystal Gale; and "Coat of Many Colors" by Dolly Parton.
"It is my first time performing at home in a while and it warms my heart so much," she said then during a break.
Mascitti also described herself as a "very proud Louisville Leopard" and a "proud Ohio girl."
Asked about her nursing work, Mascitti said: "I've seen so much tragedy and I've seen so many miracles and just everything I've witnessed through all of that, especially this last year, it definitely colors everything I do."
Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com
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More details
What: Stark County native, country music artist and former "American Idol" contestant Lauren Mascitti with opening act The Buck Naked Band.
When: May 21 (concert starts at 6 p.m. and Mascitti performs at 8 p.m.)
Where: Centennial Plaza in downtown Canton on Market Avenue N between Third and Fourth streets NW
Admission: Free (donations will benefit first responders)
This article originally appeared on The Repository: American Idol contestant Lauren Mascitti to perform Canton show
