A slice of American Pie: Don McLean is heading to Stephenville to perform Thursday at City Park.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

If you find yourself humming “Bye-bye, Miss American Pie/Drove my Chevy to the levee/But the levee was dry/Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye Singing ‘This’ll be the day that I die,’” there’s good reason.

Don McLean, the man who wrote and sings the catchy tune, will be performing in Stephenville Thursday as part of the Concerts in the Park series.

“As a lover of western movies and rodeo, I’m told Stephenville is the Cowboy Capital of the World,” McLean told Beneath the Surface News in an email. “I’ll be looking for a fine tack shop when I get there.”

McLean, a singer and songwriter, is best known for his 1971 smash hit song American Pie, which resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named by the Recording Industry of America a top 5 song of the 20th Century.

Doug Montgomery who has brought dozens of artists to Stephenville over the past 23 years, says he is thrilled that McLean is playing this week in Stephenville.

“To have Don McLean come to Stephenville, Texas on his 50th anniversary tour of American Pie’s release is spectacular,” Montgomery said.

Thursday’s free concert will begin at 8 p.m.

You’re invited to bring chairs, blankets and a cooler.

Davin James is opening for the Bellamy Brothers on July 27 for the last concert of the summer.