Folk music flows onto campus tonight by the way of singer/ songwriter Beth Wood. Bringing folk-meets-pop melodies to the Dawg House in The Union at 7 p.m., Wood will add MSU to her ever-growing national college-touring list.
Wood becomes the newest performer to take part in the Campus Activities Board’s Fourth Night Musical Series, a regular event started by the organization three semesters ago.
“It’s a good event to kick back and relax at,” Brynn Burns, student director of CAB, said. “We have it on Tuesday night after classes, so there’s not much else going on.”
Jason Moore, the Dawg House entertainment division head, said he wanted the music night to grow larger this year. Taking place every fourth Tuesday at the Dawg House Coffee Shop during the school year, the series usually draws around 100 students each time.
Burns said CAB originally chose the Dawg House because of its close, inviting atmosphere.
“The performer has an opportunity to interact with the audience,” Moore explained.
Classically trained in piano and violin, Wood grew up in Lubbock, Texas, but moved to North Carolina to study music. After transferring back to Texas to continue her studies, Wood joined a band after teaching herself how to play the guitar.
After deciding to pursue a career in music, Wood left Texas to draw inspiration from the mountains of North Carolina. Now five independently produced albums later, Wood has remained true to her musical roots based in those Carolina hills. She is currently working on her sixth album.
Moore said audiences could expect to see just Wood and her guitar making great music. He also said she is known for performing in her bare feet onstage.
Wood spoke about her love for music on her Web site, saying, “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to make music for a living. I want to continue making real music for real people, and to continue spreading the word for independent music.”
In addition to other awards, including being named Campus Activities Magazine’s 1999 Club Performer of the Year, Wood was also named the 2000 Coffeehouse Entertainer of the Year by the same magazine.
Kelly Nesbit, assistant director to CAB, said the Fourth Tuesday Music series have been growing ever since it was initiated.
“We wanted to get something going,” she said. “We wanted good music for the students to enjoy.”
Nesbit added that by having a monthly music event occur during each school month, CAB hoped to get students into the habit of attending the performances.
Coming up in February CAB booked traditional African folk performer Charles Wsir Johnson. Patchouli, a “folk-tastic” upbeat group will play this March.
Artists from past Fourth Tuesday Music Series include Jesse Robinson, Nash Street and Matt Morris.
In addition to its Fourth Music Tuesday Series, CAB is also working on Downtown in the District. Last year’s concert featuring Gavin Degraw drew a crowd of almost 7,000.
Moore said he hoped to have even a larger amount of people come out for this year’s music festival.