Fergie Performs Free Mini Concerts to Promote Tour

Whether you call her Stacy Ferguson, "The Dutchess" of hip hop, or, more commonly these days, just Fergie, she really knows how to entertain a crowd. Right now Fergie is doing just that for free in some locations, as she performs in a mini tour sponsored by Verizon Wireless, which corresponds with her nationwide tour to promote her first solo album entitled "The Dutchess."

Despite the rain that rolled in after weeks of drought conditions, fans came out to the Verizon Wireless store on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard in Clearwater, Florida on June 1 to get a taste of what fans would see later during her full concert at the city's Ruth Eckerd Hall. Fans began to gather hours before the performance, some carrying umbrellas, but most standing in the rain created by Tropical Storm Barry churning in the Gulf.

Before the show, local radio station 93.3 WFLZ-FM, on hand to promote the event, gave away five pairs of tickets to the main event of the evening, Fergie's full-length concert held later in the evening. Before receiving their tickets, however, winners had to sing 30 seconds of a Fergie song. Most were reluctant, but all of the winners came through with a mini-performance that left the crowd excited for the real thing. Promoters also handed out t-shits, cell phone socks, key chains, and posters featuring the Dutchess, herself.

The crowd began to grow restless, chanting Fergie's name in unison as the band warmed up, but it wasn't long before Fergie took to the stage with her backup dancers in tow. Fergie was personable and gracious to her fans, thanking them for her recent solo success and for enduring the weather to come out for her performance.

After she sang hit "Glamorous," newest release "Big Girls Don't Cry," and crowd favorite "Fergalicious," Fergie signed autographs and posed for photos inside the Verizon Wireless store. Some fans were lucky enough to win VIP passes from Verizon by dressing up in "Fergalicious" attire or downloading a Fergie song to their wireless phone. The passes allowed winners to have front and center access to Fergie's mini concert and be first in line for autographs after the show.

Fans filed into the store, starting with VIP contest winners then followed by others who arrived early enough to get the necessary wristband that allowed them inside to meet the Dutchess. Fergie shook hands, greeted the fans, and signed autographs before hurrying off to perform her full length concert a short time later at Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Fergie still has several stops left on her multi city tour, many of which will begin with another free mini concert at a local Verizon Wireless store. Her schedule can be found at www.Fergieperformances.com. Fergalicious fans should log on and get down to their local Verizon Wireless to see Fergie's free performance in a city nearby.