By Tom Spencer, Staff Writer
Alex Preston’s upcoming “Coming Home,” show could not be more aptly named.
On Saturday Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., the American Idol finalist is reuniting with some old friends from his days at the University of New Hampshire to jam out at the Capitol Center of the Arts in Concord.
Preston’s show was the fastest selling performance the venue has ever seen. There will be a second, earlier show at 2 pm on Saturday to meet the demand for tickets.
“I knew that I wanted that organic chemistry when a live, full -band sound is needed, and I know that I wanted my friends instead of … just getting session players,” Preston said. “I believe [the UNH friends have] true chops.”
Joining Preston on stage will be Dustin Newhouse on guitar, Charlie Weinmann on drums and Ian Sleeper on bass.
“The full-band sound is definitely a different vibe from my acoustic stuff,” Preston said. “Sometimes a more intimate delivery is needed while other times I just want to rock out the full band.”
Viewers can expect to hear both sounds at the show in Concord. According to Preston, his first three tracks will be acoustic, and the band will join in for the rest of the performance.
Preston left UNH in 2012 to pursue music full time. “I was taking a massive chance leaving school for music, and [it] consisted of hard work, harder than I ever experienced in school, but I finally made something happen.”
After being eliminated in the top three round of American Idol, Preston is enthused to perform for the New Hampshire community.
“It’ll give me a chance to thank everyone who voted in person and allow them a chance to see who I want to be as an artist,” Preston said.
The “Coming Home” show is the first date of Preston’s tour with Jacob Whitesides. Whitesides is a singer-songwriter from Knoxville, Tennessee.
Lately, Preston has been sharing collaborations with other artists on social media sites such as Twitter. Preston sent out a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Tenerife Sea” with singer-songwriter Jillian Jensen on Sept. 26. On Oct. 15, Preston posted a cover of Maroon 5’s song “My Heart is Open” with Jensen, singer Macy Kate and singer-songwriter Justin Bryte.
“I’m incredibly excited for the upcoming tour,” Preston said. “The crew I’m touring with is so talented and have a great fan base, so it will be a great opportunity for me and my music.”
Preston has opened for acts such as Gavin DeGraw, Of Monsters and Men and the Backstreet Boys and recently played at the Good Times Fest in Nashville, Tennessee on Halloween.
Some of Preston’s latest original work is the single “The Light was Already Here,” which he released in Sept. 2013. He is currently recording a three song EP scheduled to be released before Christmas, according to his website.
