Daryle Singletary, Jeff Carson To Perform At 2007 Ham & Yam Festival

The 23rd Annual Ham & Yam Festival is going back to its country roots on May 5-6, with the announcement of booking the “Red, Hot, and Blue Country” tour featuring Nashville recording artists, Daryle Singletary and Jeff Carson. Beginning at 8:30pm on Saturday, May 5, the free concert under the stars at the Neuse River Amphitheater will cap off the night of the outstanding entertainment line-up at the 2007 festival. The event, hosted by the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, will also feature crafts expo, food from local restaurants and nonprofits, and fun activities for the entire family. “We have had Country acts in the past, but Singletary and Carson is the first true “tour” we have ever had here," said Chris Johnson, Executive Director of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation and Ham & Yam coordinator. "With the Eddie Money concert last year, we really set a high bar for our organization in 2007. We wanted to make sure we did not step back in the entertainment. We are thrilled with the tour we've been able to land. The festival will swing like never before," Johnson said. Among the hits racked up by Singletary include, “My Baby’s Lovin’,” “Used to Be’s,” “Workin It Out,” “Let Her Lie,” and “I'm Living up to Her Low Expectations.” For Carson , his self-titled debut album, which was released in early 1995, saw the single "Not on Your Love," rocket to No. 1. It was then followed by the Top 10 hits “Holdin' On to Somethin'” and “The Car.” “The Car” also won CMT’s video of the year. Carson has spent the past year writing and looking for songs to complete his fourth album “Greatest Hits”, for Curb Records due out in early 2007. Jeff's forthcoming first single from the album, "When You Said You Loved Me", written by Craig Wiseman, has just been released. Other known singles are, "Real Life (I Never Was the Same Again)" which peaked at No. 14 and his rendition of “Butterfly Kisses.”