Collin Raye performs during the concert to benefit the Buddy Care Foundation at Franklin Theatre on August 7, 2012 in Franklin, Tennessee. (file photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Kaysville officials didn’t want the controversial country music concert, and neither did Tooele. But the third time looks to be the charm for organizer Eric Moutsos.
He told KSL Newsradio’s Dave and Dujanovic show that officials in Iron County have signed off on holding the Collin Raye concert at the Iron Springs resort west of Cedar City.
“We’ve got all the sound. We’ve got the stage. We’ve got all the vendors lined up,” Moutsos said, “and we’ve got the permit.”
The absence of a permit was the problem in the last county Moutsos tried to hold his protest concert. Tooele County Health Department (TCHD) officials cited the lack of a permit as well as the size of the potential gathering when they declined their permission to hold the concert in Tooele.
“According to state code R392-400 all mass gatherings over 1,000 people must receive a permit by the health department where the event will be located,” said TCHD in the statement. “No permit application has been received by Tooele County Health Department to review.”
It was a different story in Kaysville, the city in Davis County where the concert was first proposed. In that instance, Moutsos says he’d received pushback from Kaysville City Council members and residents who were uncomfortable with Moutsos staging a large event while the COVID-19 pandemic was still a major concern.
Collin Raye will perform Saturday, June 13, at the Iron Springs resort west of Cedar City. Moutsos says he’s thankful for Iron County officials.
“Iron County . . . really stepped up . . . we’re having this event. In America we don’t quit, so we’re excited about it,” Moutsos said.
The show is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Moustos asks that you visit Utah Business Revival on Facebook and let them know if you will attend.
Moustos added that if you don’t want to wear a mask or practice social distancing, you don’t have to.
“Some people choose to social distance, some choose not to. And we don’t force them. We ask for people to do it, but we can’t force it because nobody can. Including the government. That’s the whole point.”
You can listen to Moustos’ interview on the Dave and Dujanovic program below.
COVID-19 coronavirus is transmitted from person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention