Entertainment

Brad Patton Times Leader Correspondent

Country and pop singer LeAnn Rimes performed Sunday evening at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

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Leann Rimes performed at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Sunday, July 5.

Fred Adams / For The Times Leader

click image to enlarge

Leann Rimes preformed at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Sunday, July 5.

Fred Adams / For The Times Leader

Related headlines

• REVIEW: Rimes rocks at Mohegan debut
• LeAnn Rimes, Mohegan Sun, 07.05.09

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WHEN/WHERE: 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

THE SHORT WORD: Country and pop crossover superstar LeAnn Rimes ushered in the new era of concerts at Pocono Downs with an 18-song performance on Sunday night. The 26-year-old singer was in fine voice as she sang a mixture of hits and selections from an upcoming new album. Rimes, dressed in a tank top and shorts and sporting sunglasses for the first two numbers, energetically bounced, waved and blew kisses to her fans throughout the show.

THE HIGHLIGHTS: Of the new material, “You’ve Ruined Me” was best, with “Better Off” and “Criminal” not far behind. Rimes also did pleasing versions of hits “How Do I Live,” “Family,” “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way,” “What I Cannot Change” and “Can’t Fight The Moonlight.”

THE SURPRISES: Rimes did only a portion of “Blue” as a lead-in to one of her other hits, but the song that put her on the map as a 13-year-old singing sensation still sounded good after all these years. The singer did a fine version of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” as her encore.

FUN FACTS: Rimes wrote or co-wrote every song on her latest album, 2007’s “Family,” and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for that album’s “What I Cannot Change.” She won a Grammy in that category in 1997 for “Blue” and also took home Best New Artist.

THE CROWD: Looked like pretty much every one of the 4,800 seats was filled. Some audience members were a bit surprised to find out the tickets they thought were for reserved seats were actually general admission.

UP NEXT: Rimes’ next performance will be Thursday at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va. Next show at Pocono Downs will be Peter Frampton on Sunday, July 19.