MSU students and country fans alike will get a chance to see one of the genre’s rising stars without having to leave Starkville.Music Maker Productions has announced plans to host a concert featuring modern country singer/songwriter Jason Aldean at Humphrey Coliseum Friday, Oct. 5. Local group Crossin’ Dixon is scheduled to open the show, which will start at 7 p.m.
Music Maker Productions director Tyler Stacy said Aldean first expressed a desire to perform in Starkville earlier this summer.
“Aldean’s promoter said he would be interested in doing a show here. We thought it would be good for the campus because we’re in the South and a lot of people here like country music,” Stacy said.
Stacy said Music Makers confirmed the performance Aug. 29.
Aldean, who has released two albums, was named top new male vocalist by the Academy of Country Music last year. He first began making waves with his 2005 single “Hicktown,” which originally appeared on his self-titled debut album and made it to the top 10 on the US Country music charts. He released his second album, Relentless, this past May.
His road to fame was a difficult one to travel at first. He moved to Nashville, Tenn. from his native Georgia in 1998 after being offered a record contract. He was soon dropped.
Soon after, he signed with another label only to be dropped again. He finally found a permanent home with Broken Bow Records in 2005 and released his debut in June of that year.
“Why,” the second single from his debut, skyrocketed to the top of the US Country charts.
As an album, “Relentless” followed suit two years later. “Laughed Until We Cried” is the latest single off his sophomore album.
“I’m excited about it,” Stacy said. “It’s always nice when you can bring an act to Starkville that everyone will enjoy.
Tickets for the performance are available at the MSU Bryan Athletic Ticket Office. Prices are $17.50 for students and $27.50 for general admission. Students must present their identification card, and can only buy two tickets per ID.
Music Maker Productions is also sponsoring a concert Sunday, Sept. 16 at Lee Hall auditorium featuring three contemporary Christian acts.
Shane and Shane and Bebo Norman will be headlining the show, which is part of the Pages Tour. Special guests Monk and Neagle will be the opening act.
Showtime is scheduled for 7 p.m. A limited amount of student tickets are on sale now for $10 and are available at the MSU Bryan Athletic Ticket Office.
General admission is $12 and tickets will cost $20 at the door. Tickets can also be purchased on www.itickets.com.