Things aren’t always easy for a mid-level country act touring across the Midwest. Unless you’re Tim McGraw or the Dixie Chicks, it can be somewhat difficult at times to find places to play – even if your big sister won the Grammy for Best New Artist.

Allison Moorer, acclaimed country/ Americana artist (and little sister to Shelby Lynne) will be the third act to play the Maintenance Shop in what has already proven to be another trademark diverse semester for the campus venue.

Moorer says she is itching to take the stage.

“Oh definitely – it’s a great crowd and a great venue,” Moorer says. “I’m looking forward to it, yeah.”

Moorer played two shows to the campus crowd last fall. The Shop staff says there was no question as to whether to book Moorer on her fall 2002 tour supporting her latest release, “Miss Understanding.”

“If you’ve heard her CD then you would know why we would want her back,” Squire Boone, Maintenance Shop director says. “Even if it’s not your style of music, you can tell it’s something great.”

Even with all the acclaim for her recorded work, Moorer says she’s confident that she and her five-piece band will be able to properly convey the music in an intimate live setting.

“I can’t really recreate the album on stage,” she says. “We do our best to bring life to the songs and I think we do that very successfully.”

Moorer credits her unique sound for opening a couple club doors for her here and there.

“Well, I’m not really finding any problem – I’m not your typical country act,” she says. “I think that’s why I end up playing the places that I play – more the singer/songwriter joints or even rock clubs.”

Boone also thinks that there are just enough venues in this area for artists of Moorer’s magnitude.

“I’d say she’s doing just fine – they managed to do an entire tour for her in clubs around this size,” Boone says. “So I’d definitely say they’re out there.”

Even though Moorer graced the Maintenance Shop stage just under a year ago, she says there are plenty of excuses for fans to come on out and catch the show again.

“I’ll be performing songs from the new album, so that’ll be different from last year,” she says. “Our shows are fun, they’re loose – we’re there to have a good time and play music.”

Boone says that any live music fans still debating attendance at Friday’s show should take action as soon as possible.

“Definitely check it out while you can still see her in a place this size,” he says.

“With the response the new album has been getting, I won’t be surprised if we see her in much larger venues soon.”