ALABAMA HEADLINES MARCH 14 WITH DIAMOND RIO, WRIGHT

Country music stars Alabama, Diamond Rio and Michelle Wright will appear in concert at the Show Me Center March 14.

Headliners Alabama have sold some 45 million albums, and have had more than 30 number one hits.

In 1989, they were named Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. They also have been named Vocal Group of the Year six times, and are nine-time winners of the American Music Awards' Favorite Country Group category.

Relative newcomers Diamond Rio are riding high on the charts with the number two song, "In a Week or Two." The first was the first country group ins history to have a number one hit with its debut single. "Meet in the Middle" was followed to the number one position by "Norma Jean Riley," while follow-ups "Mirror Mirror," "Mama Don't Forget to Pray for Me" and "Nowhere Bound" all reached the top five.

The band's self-titled first album is nearing platinum status. The second and most recent album, "Close to the Edge," yielded "In a Week or Two."

Michelle Wright, a native of Canada, made the country music world notice in 1992 when her second album, "Now and Then," was nominated for Album of the Year. She also was nominated for Entertainer of the Year.

She is known for such honest and reflective hits as "Take It Like a Man," Now and Then" and "One Time Around." In her "He Would be 16," a woman thinks about the child she gave up for adoption in her youth.

Tickets for the 7 p.m. concert are $18.50. They are available at Disc Jockey Records in Cape Girardeau, Carbondale and Paducah, at Capital Bank main branches in Cape Girardeau, Perryville, Sikeston and Poplar Bluff, at Schnuck's and at the Show Me Center Box Office. Tickets also can be ordered by phone by calling 651-5000.