American country music artist Rodney Atkins will headline a concert for UI students and members of the Palouse community Monday.
Atkins is an Academy of Country Music (ACM) award winner and six-time ACM nominee, along with being the 2006 Top New Male Vocalist winner.
Atkins will perform a variety of songs, including classic hits “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)” and “Farmer’s Daughter,” in addition to new releases such as 2018’s “Caught Up in the Country.”
Jeremy Barron, associate director of Conferences and Events at UI, said student voices were very influential in picking the artist.
“My department worked closely with Vandal Entertainment, Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic to find options that everyone agreed on,” Barron said. “I provided a list of country music artists that were options in terms of proximity to our university as well as open dates. In the end, the students made the final decision.”
Barron said discussions began back in May, and Atkins accepted the university’s offer in June.
The concert will be held on the UI SprinTurf field, next to the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center. Tickets are free for UI students with a valid Vandalcard, and general admission will cost $15 for the public. Tickets can be purchased through the UI Ticket Office, and will also be sold from 5-9 p.m. Monday at the east end of the Kibbie Dome.
“Events like this are costly and we have been trying to find ways to pool our resources to provide a wider variety of entertainment options to the campus and community,” Barron said. “The beginning of this semester seemed like a good opportunity to try it out.”
American singer-songwriter Lucas Hoge will be opening for the concert at 7:30 p.m. Hoge’s first CD, “In My Dreams,” was released in 2002, and since then he has received numerous accolades.
Most recently, Rolling Stone named Hoge in their “Top 10 Artists You Need To Know 2017.” Additionally, Hoge’s 2017 album “Dirty South” debuted at No. 12 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums, and became the best-selling country album of the week.
Barron said the process for the opening act is the same as the headliner.
Courtesy photo | Argonaut
Country music artist Rodney Atkins will be performing Monday on the UI Sprint Turf field.
“Discussions begin regarding costs and then we submit our best offer to the artist and they determine whether or not they want to accept it,” he said.
While there hasn’t been much collaboration between UI Events and Support Services and IFC, Panhellenic and Vandal Entertainment in the past, Barron said the goal of everyone involved is to continue to collaborate in the future.
“The more we work together, the more successful these events can be,” he said. “Pooling together our talents and resources is beneficial for everyone.”
Seating for the concert is first-come, first-served, and the event is advertised as family friendly.
Barron said his previous 15 years of experience in the music business helped develop strong relationships within the industry that allow him to provide more opportunities and contacts.
“Ever since I’ve gotten here, we’ve been working hard to create more events like this,” Barron said. “I hope this is the first of many.”
Max Rothenberg can be reached at [email protected]