Award winning country singer Brad Paisley is throwing a party and the event will help raise scholarship money for Valley students, officials announced Monday.

The Paisley Party 2008 tour, also featuring country artists Chuck Wicks and Jewel, will benefit South Texas Academic Rising Scholars, or STARS.

The concert is set for Oct. 16 at Dodge Arena. Tickets go on sale Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at the venue's box office, online at ticketmaster.com and various locations throughout the Valley.

In 2008, Paisley's tours have stopped in 56 cities and sold more than 500,000 tickets, according to his Web site. His gig in Hidalgo will be one of four stops in Texas for the reigning Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year. Paisley's best-known songs include his Dolly Parton duet "When I Get Where I'm Going," "Ticks," and his most-recent single "Waitin' On a Woman."

STARS, which was established in 2002, raises funds annually through Extravaganza events. Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Lonestar and Josh Gracin are among the previous artists who have taken part in past STARS events.

For more information on tickets, call 668-7740.

Tickets also available at:

Macy's - La Plaza Mall in McAllen

Sun Coast - La Plaza Mall in McAllen

FYE - Brownsville

H-E-B stores - in Laredo

Macy's - Mall del Norte in Laredo