Country star Mitch Rossell to perform benefit concert at Lake Performing Arts Hall Nov. 22

Country singer-songwriter Mitch Rossell — known for his work with Garth Brooks and his viral "America’s Got Talent" performance — will bring his signature sound to Lake Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $25, and $5 from each sale will go toward supporting the Lake Performing Arts Hall. In addition, concertgoers can choose a special ticket code that designates the $5 donation to one of several local organizations: Reflections Show Choir, Lake Band Boosters, Lake Athletic Booster Club, Lake Primary PTO, Lake Elementary PTO, or Marlington Local Schools.

Lake High School’s own Reflections Show Choir will open the concert.

In only his first school year at the helm, Lake Superintendent Brett Yeagley – who booked the Rossell gig – said: “This is going to be a really fun night for the community."

The idea for Rossell’s Lake Township concert grew from an unexpected encounter that started with a backyard show. Yeagley first met Rossell in 2022 when the former won a nationwide contest the artist hosted during Garth Brooks’ stadium tour — a giveaway offering one lucky fan a private backyard concert. Rossell served as an opening act on Brooks' tour. Out of 50,000-some concertgoers in attendance at Orchard Park, New York's Highmark Stadium, Yeagley’s entry was selected.

“When Mitch came to my house, we decided to host a community concert at the Canton South Performing Arts Center,” Yeagley said. “That experience was such a success, it inspired us to bring him here to Lake for this event.”

Rossell, a Tennessee native, is perhaps best known for scoring a No. 1 hit as a writer for Brooks' 2017 "Ask Me How I Know" as well as the duet "Dive Bar" (2019) featuring Brooks and Blake Shelton. Rossell's own songs have been streamed more than 300 million times, and his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry earned a standing ovation.

In 2023, Rossell appeared on "America’s Got Talent" where his emotional original song "Son" — written as a tribute to his late father — became the No. 1 most downloaded song in the country across all streaming platforms for a period following his performance.

“It’s surreal,” Rossell told The Hartville News about his higher-profile collaborations and milestones. “Garth is not only my biggest musical hero but an absolute class act of a person. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Despite his big-stage experience, Rossell said performing for smaller communities like Lake is every bit as rewarding. 

“There’s no doubt that playing in stadiums and arenas is an incredible experience, but in the end, it’s the crowd that makes the show,” he said. “Local fans can expect the same energy from us that we bring anywhere we play, and I’ve got faith that Ohio will be just as awesome as it always is.”

Rossell said he first connected with Yeagley through the concert contest and was inspired by the superintendent’s vision for transforming a backyard show into a community-wide fundraiser. 

“He’s been such an awesome supporter and has really made these events special,” Rossell said. “We owe a ton to him.”

Rossell has played Northeast Ohio before and says the region holds a special place in his heart. 

“The people are always so fun,” he said. “They make great crowds — they listen, but they bring the energy, too. I’ve made some good friends along the way.”

The concert will blend Rossell’s chart-topping originals, heartfelt storytelling, and the vibrant harmonies of Lake’s Reflections Show Choir. The Lake Athletic Booster Club will run concessions.

Rossell hopes concertgoers leave with more than just a night of great music. 

“I’m just a guy trying to write songs about what I know and what I’ve seen,” he said. “Some of them will make you laugh, and some might make you cry. I love taking people on that journey and hopefully giving them an authentic experience they’ll remember.”

Tickets are available at mitchrossell.com, and fans can use the code LAKE to ensure part of their purchase supports local students and programs.