The music of MSU student musician Brian Fuente and The Patrick Smith Band will fill the halls of Rick’s Caf Friday night.
The concert, hosted by the MSU chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects, will serve as a fund-raiser for its upcoming conferences, guest speakers and for departmental supplies, said ASLA social chair Hollye Raines.
Tickets cost $5 if purchased in advance, and $8 at the door.
“We wanted something that would draw a lot of people out, and wanted people to become aware of our organization,” Raines said.
Doors will open at 8 p.m. for Fuente’s 9:30 p.m. show, and The Patrick Smith Band will take mainstage at about 10:30 p.m., ASLA president-elect Jeff Orkin said. Both musicians play original and cover music.
Fuente, a sophomore communication major, picked up the guitar at seven years old and has been strumming every since.
“My mom and dad played in a band when I was in diapers and that was my inspiration,” Fuente said. “It was meant to be-to play music. Currently my mom’s a jazz vocalist in Mississippi. She’s my right-hand woman when it comes to questions in the music industry.”
Fuente, who claims Ridgeland as his home, started playing for live audiences at age 14 and recorded his first album a year later. He recorded his first real album “Sky Down Here” when he was 19 and his songs “Temporary Sugar” and “Angel’s Autograph” get local radio play.
“I do a lot of solo acoustic stuff,” Fuente said. “I’ve always tried to write my own material instead of playing covers.”
Orkin said Fuente’s music sounds like alternative pop or rock. “It’s unique, but it’s extremely catchy,” he said.
The Patrick Smith Band is headlining the event. “The Patrick Smith Band is an excellent group, and I’m looking forward to playing with those guys,” Fuente said.
Patrick Smith played keyboard on the side last year for Dirty Dozen Brass Band and also traveled with the North Mississippi Allstars. The Patrick Smith Band is planning to release a new album in March.
“It’s just really good party dance music. They put on an impressive show to say the least,” Orkin said about The Patrick Smith Band. “They take cover songs and put their own twist on it. Patrick’s a keyboard player, so it’s jam.”
Contact Holly Raines at (256) 303-1614 to purchase a ticket in advance or pay at the door. The event is also sponsored in part by the Chalet and Ditto’s.
For more information on the bands, visit their Web sites www.brianfuente.com and http://patricksmithband.com.