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Usher, Keith Urban kick off NFL with free concert

September 4, 2008

Usher (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)

NEW YORK - Usher, Keith Urban and Natasha Bedingfield are kicking off the NFL season with a free concert that's expected to draw thousands of celebrants to Manhattan's Columbus Circle.

The musicians are scheduled to perform on Thursday afternoon. A video about the Super Bowl champion New York Giants will be shown before the NFL Kickoff Show.

Traffic at the busy intersection at the foot of Central Park is expected to come to a virtual stop as fans and speakers _ including

Mayor Michael Bloomberg _ turn out for the event.

The NFL will air portions of the concert live on its network prior to the Thursday night game between the Giants and the

Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium.

No tickets are required.

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On the Net: www.nfl.com