The WB One Tree Hill Tour Rocks Seattle

SEATTLE- The One Tree Hill Tour stopped in Seattle on Tuesday, March 1. From Bethany Joy Lenz to Gavin DeGraw, Tree Hill's finest showed up - and so did plenty of Seattle fans.

"It was cool to see them out of their element. You're used to seeing them on TV. They were off the TV screen and in the music scene," said KTWB Internet producer Rob Riley.

The concert opened with Bethany Joy Lenz, who fans know as Haley. On OTH, she's pursuing a singing career - and it's pretty much the same off-screen, since Bethany has a song on the OTH Soundtrack and is launching her real-life music career. Her tender ballads got the evening off to a rousing beginning. "She showcased her broad array of musical talents by playing guitar, piano and singing," said Riley. "She really feels her music, and it shows when she performs."

KTWB Promotion coordinator Mindy Shelley agreed. "Bethany was one of my favorites," said Shelley. "I didn't realize that she was as talented as she was. I've watched the show and I've watched her sing on the show, and I thought this was even better."

After Bethany's half-hour set, Tyler Hilton, who plays sensitive musician Chris on OTH, took the stage. "Tyler pumped it up a little bit with his music," said KTWB writer/producer Justin Machado. "A lot of fans got into it. His vocals were incredible. He's very comfortable onstage." Then Bethany joined Tyler for a duet, echoing the duets they've performed on OTH.

Bethany and Tyler were followed by The Wreckers - Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp. The pair recently performed their brand of folksy rock on an OTH episode where they encourage Haley to come on tour with them. After Tyler Hilton's peppy rock, their chill music calmed the audience down a bit.

The evening's climax, though, was undoubtedly the arrival of Gavin DeGraw, modern rock's current It Boy. His fans love him - and he loves them back.

"During Gavin's first song, everyone started moving forward toward the front," said Machado. "Security tried to step in, but Gavin said, 'Hey, we're just having a great time here; no one's getting hurt.'"

From that point on, Gavin encouraged full-on interaction with his fans, pausing to grab their hands as he sang. Fans, especially the female ones, were thrilled. "There were girls with homemade "I Love Gavin" T-shirts on," remembered Shelley.

When he first came onstage, Gavin was joined by some other OTH cast members. Katherine Bailess, who plays Brooke's former nemesis Erica Marsh, and Paul Johansson, who plays the evil Dan Scott, appeared on the stage along with executive producers Mark Schwahn and Mike Tollin. The group danced along to the music as fans shouted their enthusiasm. "Gavin rocked that place," said Riley. "He just knows how to work the crowd."

Gavin finished the evening off with the OTH theme song, "I Don't Wanna Be." Fans belted out the song, which has conquered radio and television. The power ballad was a perfect way to end the awesome night of One Tree Hill love and music.

"Whether you're a fan of the show or not, it's a great concert to go see," said Riley.