By Rita Howell

Country artist Lee Brice, whose album is No. 2 on Billboard’s Top New Country chart this week, appeared Tuesday night on NBC’s Tonight Show.

In two weeks, he comes to Batesville.

Rising country star Lee Brice will be the Saturday night headliner for Batesville’s SpringFest on May 19.

On Jay Leno’s show this week Brice performed his latest single, “A Woman Like You,” from his second album, Hard 2 Love, which became the number one selling digital country album and reached number two on Billboard.

Brice, 32, is a South Carolina native who had Billboard’s Top County Song of 2010, “Love Like Crazy,” from his debut album.

In addition to his own material, he has co-written singles for Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw.
Other entertainers in the lineup are: for Friday night, Good Question, G3: The Garry Goin Group; on Saturday, The Sensational Travelers, Nancy Apple, Honky Tonk Heroes, Dry Rub, Still Road, Reverend Wilkins, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors.

The 13th annual SpringFest, sponsored by Batesville Main Street and the City of Batesville, will offer entertainment Friday night and all day Saturday on the Downtown Square, with Brice set to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.

On Friday evening the winners of the Miss SpringFest Pageant will be presented. Saturday morning the Panola Humane Society will sponsor Racing for Paws 5K at 8 a.m.

The Junior Auxiliary of Batesville will host a Kids’ Korner with activities for children at the gazebo on the Downtown Square all day Saturday.

Food vendors will be lining the lower section of the Square, with carnival rides and games across the railroad track.

For information about SpringFest, call the Panola Partnership office at 563-3126 or visit www.panolacounty.com.