A local recording artist will have a busy summer. In addition to several regional appearances, Lee McCormack will also release a new CD and embark on a 14-day European tour.

McCormack will leave Aug. 25 for Europe, where he will entertain U.S. troops stationed overseas. This is a first for the Ironton native.

"I think it's a big honor," McCormack said of his overseas tour. "Just coming from a small town, to be able to do something like this is unthinkable, beyond my dreams."

McCormack will have a release party Friday to celebrate his new CD "What Kind of Man." The party will be at The Clubhouse at the Grandview Inn in South Point. Tickets are $10 each for adults, $5 for children 12 years of age and younger. McCormack will perform at 7 p.m. for younger fans. At 8 p.m. he will have a meet-and-greet session with attendees. The main show will be at 10 p.m.

McCormack said this CD is a bit different from his previous ones in that all of the songs were written by him or members of the Open Road band.

"The songs reflect more of my personality," McCormack said.

"What you hear on this CD is more like what you would see at a show."

McCormack will also perform at the Iron Master Days in Ironton June 26,

as well as at

River Recreational Festival in Gallipolis July 3