How to go
What: Jamie Foxx Blame It tour
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13
Where: The Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Fairborn
Cost: Tickets range from $39.75-$59.75. Tickets available at the Nutter Center box office and some Ticketmaster locations, including Kroger stores. Charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 or go to ticketmaster.com.
MORE INFO: www.nuttercenter.com
ARTIST INFO: www.jamiefoxx.com
When Jamie Foxx comes to the Nutter Center, expect his own wildly popular songs, some tunes from country legend George Strait, a homage to Michael Jackson and a dance contest for the ladies.
“It will be absolutely fun,” Foxx said in a telephone interview. “Forget about your problems. Have a great time. Let’s blame it.”
“Blame It” is the name of his huge single and the title of the 50-city tour Foxx started the July 4 weekend.
It would be hard to imagine anything with Foxx that would not be fun. He’s ebullient and fast-paced the second he picks up the telephone.
One second he’s talking about the tour in his own voice, then he breaks into a Barack Obama imitation. Back to himself again, but seconds later, you have a yelling Ray Charles on the line.
He should be happy, as he’s living his dream: an Academy Award for his performance of Ray Charles in “Ray,” a popular actor who seems to have broken the Oscar jinx, and in recent years, a huge recording artist.
In fact, “Blame It” recently hit No. 1 on the Urban Mainstream chart a 14th consecutive week. The previous best was TLC’s “No Scrubs” at 11 weeks in 1999. “Blame It” also has crossed the million sales mark.
At the Nutter Center concert on Thursday, Aug. 13, fans will get “Blame It,” but they also should expect “Beat It” as Foxx honors Michael Jackson. Foxx, who hosted the BET Awards days after Jackson’s death, admits being protective of the pop legend’s memory. He knows Jackson had controversy in his life, but he’s doing his part to have people focus on the amazing entertainer, he said.
So during his concert, he shows images of Jackson singing songs such as “Thriller” and “Billie Jean.”
“You look at the audience, and everyone is just singing his music,” Foxx said. “We all sing together. It turns into a karaoke moment.’’
Strait’s music gets a piece of the action because as a boy growing up in Texas, Foxx was a huge Strait fan. He’s gone on to perform for Strait at a tribute to the singer, “which was awesome for me,” Foxx said.
Foxx’s own music, including “Just Like Me,” “She Got Her Own,” “I Don’t Need It” and “Digital Girl,” should also be expected.
He also plans a dance contest for the ladies to “Slow” and other moments of audience participation. The winner gets $500.
Contact this writer at (937) 225-2216 or kmargolis@coxohio.com.
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