Gavin Smith continues his push to be the most visible candidate running for Lexington Town Council in the May 2 special election.

Pushing beyond the endorsements he’s pulled down from Lexington’s mayor, the chair and vice chair of Lexington County Council and a state senator, he’s looking to sway the electorate with a concert presented by Edwin McCain that will also feature a meet-and-greet with the S.C.-native singer of '90s hits "I'll Be" and "I Could Not Ask for More."

The concert will go down April 23, nine days before the election to replace now-Florida resident Steve Baker, at a venue where McCain has performed more than once in the past, Lexington’s town-owned Icehouse Amphitheater. 

While McCain is not listed as performing, the bill features local musicians Maddie Rean and Noel Lindler along with “other special guests,” so don’t discount the possibility that McCain might sing a song or two.

The concert starts at 2 p.m., is free and open to the public, and promises to be family-friendly. Those wishing to attend can get free tickets at gavinforlexington.com/concert.

McCain is a fixture on Midlands stages, having been recently announced as the headliner for May’s Rosewood Crawfish Festival in Columbia and dotting calendars at venues such as the Newberry Opera House and Irmo’s Harbison Theatre in addition to playing Lexington County events including Rock 4 Recovery and the Irmo Okra Strut.

Smith, the owner of his own public and government relations firm and a partner in the Navy Yard on Main beer garden that abandoned plans to open in downtown Lexington, is one of four candidates seeking the remainder of Baker’s term, set to end in 2025.

The other candidates running for the office are music teacher and former Lexington Town Council member Constance Flemming, realtor and former town Planning Commision member Edwin Gerace, and contractor and business owner Matthew Graham.

Smith’s concert will happen with early voting already in full swing. Lexington residents can vote ahead of the May election April 17-28 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the Lexington County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 605 West Main St.