LEWISTON — Saturday’s nearly sold-out country music concert at the Colisee with headliner Rodney Atkins will go on as planned, despite an accusation by the singer’s wife that he tried to smother her with a pillow.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that police arrested Atkins on Nov. 21 at his home outside Nashville. The 42-year-old was charged with domestic assault and later released on $2,500 bail.

On Thursday morning, as news of the arrest began spreading, Atkins’ attorney released a statement calling the allegations of violence against Atkins’ wife, Tammy Jo, “completely untrue.”

Atkins is known for a string of hit country records, including “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Watching You” and “Cleaning this Gun.” 

Bangor-based promoter Alex Gray, who is overseeing the Lewiston concert, which also stars Kellie Pickler, said he has talked with Atkins’ agent and is assured that the 7 p.m. show will go on.

“We knew of this prior to it breaking,” Gray said. “In this country, we are innocent until we are proven guilty.”

Gray was also comforted by the fact that Atkins performed in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade just three days after the arrest and sang on national TV.

“NBC knew,” Gray said. “And if they felt it was of concern, they would have canceled.”

Atkins was scheduled to perform Thursday night in Lowell, Mass., and Friday in Buffalo, N.Y.

The Lewiston show has proven popular, selling all but 400 of the Colisee’s available 4,100 seats, Gray said. He expects any remaining tickets to sell on Saturday.

The Colisee received two calls Thursday morning from concert-goers checking to see if it was still on, box office manager Jim Mercier said.

“I’m getting more calls from people wanting to buy tickets,” Mercier said. “A lot more.”

If any fans want their money back after hearing the news, they will have to sell their tickets on their own, Gray said. Such sales are final in all but the rarest circumstances.

For example, a service member who buys a ticket and must leave for active duty before a show can get a refund, as can people with some medical problems, Gray said.

Any further rebate would be up to Atkins’ management, and the singer is insisting his innocence.

In the statement released before noon Thursday, Atkins’ lawyer described “an unfortunate verbal dispute” that was overheard by the couple’s son, Elijah, 10.

“The police did not witness any assault because none occurred,” wrote Atkins’ lawyer, Nashville attorney Rose Palermo. “The police did not witness any violence between Mr. and Mrs. Atkins. It is entirely based on her word.”

The singer has since filed for divorce.

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