Free concert by Black Eyed Peas, McGraw to kick off Steelers' season
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The Black Eyed Peas and Tim McGraw will jump-start the Steelers' season with a free concert at Point State Park on opening night, Sept. 10.
Details are being worked out about other acts and when the big names will go onstage, although the headliners will certainly be part of the live pre-game simulcast from 8 to 8:30 p.m. on NBC and NFL Network. Kickoff for the Steelers-Titans game at Heinz Field is scheduled for 8:30.
The free festivities begin at 4 p.m. at Point State Park, which will have specific entry points for the public that night. An NFL spokeswoman said the NFL has been working closely with the city and the mayor's office on those details.
The kickoff concert marks the sixth consecutive year the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with a home opener on a Thursday in prime-time. Last year, the concert celebrating the New York Giants ran into television reports on the Republican National Convention, and the pre-game show wasn't broadcast live.
In 2006, after the Steelers' one-for-the-thumb championship, Rascal Flatts and Martina McBride played in Heinz Field as part of the pregame party. Diddy and other acts were featured live from Miami, because the Steelers played the Dolphins that night.
The Black Eyed Peas and Mr. McGraw own three Grammys each. Fergie, the lead singer of the Black Eyed Peas, played a solo concert at the Byham in 2007, but it's been about six years since the band made an appearance here. Mr. McGraw was at the Post-Gazette Pavilion in July of last year.
The NFL also announced that there will be local radio promotions in which fans can win free tickets to watch the concert from designated areas, and there will be opportunities for some fans to be up-close to the stage throughout the broadcast portion of the concert.
First Published August 12, 2009 12:00 am
