COEUR d'ALENE - A country music salute to the stars and stripes and its heroes will be taking place at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds Nov. 8 when three musicians perform during the "Courage Tour 2014."

The concert will feature Nashville artists Wade Hayes and Bryan White with special guest Michael Peterson of Las Vegas. It will be held in honor of Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11, and partial proceeds will benefit three veteran organizations and efforts: This Able Vet, the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down and the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

"I think it's a unique opportunity for us to bring a musical event like this one to the fairgrounds both to help the three benefiting organizations but also utilize the Jacklin Building in a way it's not normally utilized," said fair general manager Dane Dugan.

Dugan said the building was recently used as a concert venue and "it works great, it seats about 1,100." He said it is also a fitting location because it is where the North Idaho Veterans Stand Down is annually held.

"That makes it even more special," Dugan said.

This is the first time the fairgrounds has hosted a Veterans Day music event.

"This is a new venture for us and honestly, we like doing things like this because we're a community facility," Dugan said.

Peterson, who has a long resume of work with and for veterans, will open the concert with a significant multimedia presentation titled, "Wave on Old Glory, Wave on."

"It's a really moving experience where we get to learn about some of his efforts with veterans," Dugan said.

Courage Tour manager Kevin Rock of Thousand Oaks, Calif., said Peterson has gone on at least eight tours to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the troops. Peterson was a recipient of the Bob Hope Spirit of Hope Award in 2008 for his dedicated work and contributions to members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

"He is literally regularly doing something for the veterans," Rock said.

Peterson, Hayes and White individually have hit singles that include, "From Here to Eternity," "Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie," "Old Enough to Know Better," "On a Good Night" "Someone Else's Star" and "Rebecca Lynn." The three headliners will share one stage and perform several of their greatest hits and numbers together.

"These guys have all known each other for years," Rock said. "When they get the chance to perform together it's a special treat."

The concert will be presented by radio station K102 Country FM.

"It's for a great cause," Dugan said. "It's here, there are three headliners, one stage, and it's right here in our community. You don't have to drive to Spokane. I think we can do more of these kinds of things if people are here to support it."

The Courage Tour concert begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $22-$34 and available online at www.northidahofair.com/events/courage-tour-concert/. Event parking is free.

Info: 756-4969 or www.kcfairgrounds.com