Country stars Allan, Brice perform on campus
It must have sounded a little like Nashville in Edinboro.
Country music star Gary Allan performed to a packed crowd in Louis C. Cole Auditorium-Memorial Hall on Oct. 11. It was the university's annual autumn concert, and it drew an estimated 1,700.
Allan mainly did a set of material from his 2007 album, "Living Hard." In an interview with the Erie Times News, Allan said he switches his setlist picks from time to time.
"We tweak it about twice a year," he said.
That set list would include shows with superstars Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts. But Allan is a powerhouse in his own right. Three singles from "Living Hard" hit the No. 1 spot on the country charts.
His career has spanned over a decade, starting off with 1996's "Used Heart For Sale." Since then, he has released eight albums, including one "Greatest Hits" collections.
But Allan hasn't slowed down since and will probably have more of those kind of hits in the future.
"Tough All Over," though, is probably the most notable of his works. It was characterized with Allan's dealing with personal tragedy, foremost the death of his wife.
"Tough" has a gritty, honest sound, with titles such as "I Just Got Back From Hell." Allan's father passed away last September, as well.
Just like "Tough All Over" summarized Allan's spirit, "Living Hard" is no different in seeing that he lives up to its name.
You could be led to believe that Allan is just another one of those country singers full of faux-John Wayne machismo, but it's not the case with him. As reviewer Allana Nash writes, "Allan has long been the go-to guy for intelligent, edgy country music."
The music is intelligent, but it also rocks hard and tough. If you're no fan of country, it might even appeal to you, slamming its boots down for some Western-flavored, classic rock-influenced moments.
Up-and-coming country singer Lee Brice was Allan's opener. He entered the Nashville scene with his 2007 single "She Ain't Right," which burnt up the Billboard Hot Country Song chart. His debut album, "Picture of Me," will be released next month. He helped pen a song appearing on Garth Brooks' "Greatest Hits," titled "More than a Memory."
Brice's style has been described as "what would happen if Hank Williams Jr. and John Mayer had a love child." That's just about the right kind of combination for success in mainstream music nowadays.
The concert was chosen as the result of a survey. When students were asked what type of music they'd like the spring concert to be, the majority response was "alternative rock" and hence New Found Glory, a popular pop-punk band, played last spring.
Country came in second and the university, with a budget of $60,000, was able to reel in Gary Allan. It was not Allan's first stop in the area; he played Erie in 2004. The same kind of survey will be distributed next spring to determine 2009's campus concerts.
Country music star Gary Allan performed to a packed crowd in Louis C. Cole Auditorium-Memorial Hall on Oct. 11. It was the university's annual autumn concert, and it drew an estimated 1,700.
Allan mainly did a set of material from his 2007 album, "Living Hard." In an interview with the Erie Times News, Allan said he switches his setlist picks from time to time.
"We tweak it about twice a year," he said.
That set list would include shows with superstars Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts. But Allan is a powerhouse in his own right. Three singles from "Living Hard" hit the No. 1 spot on the country charts.
His career has spanned over a decade, starting off with 1996's "Used Heart For Sale." Since then, he has released eight albums, including one "Greatest Hits" collections.
But Allan hasn't slowed down since and will probably have more of those kind of hits in the future.
"Tough All Over," though, is probably the most notable of his works. It was characterized with Allan's dealing with personal tragedy, foremost the death of his wife.
"Tough" has a gritty, honest sound, with titles such as "I Just Got Back From Hell." Allan's father passed away last September, as well.
Just like "Tough All Over" summarized Allan's spirit, "Living Hard" is no different in seeing that he lives up to its name.
You could be led to believe that Allan is just another one of those country singers full of faux-John Wayne machismo, but it's not the case with him. As reviewer Allana Nash writes, "Allan has long been the go-to guy for intelligent, edgy country music."
The music is intelligent, but it also rocks hard and tough. If you're no fan of country, it might even appeal to you, slamming its boots down for some Western-flavored, classic rock-influenced moments.
Up-and-coming country singer Lee Brice was Allan's opener. He entered the Nashville scene with his 2007 single "She Ain't Right," which burnt up the Billboard Hot Country Song chart. His debut album, "Picture of Me," will be released next month. He helped pen a song appearing on Garth Brooks' "Greatest Hits," titled "More than a Memory."
Brice's style has been described as "what would happen if Hank Williams Jr. and John Mayer had a love child." That's just about the right kind of combination for success in mainstream music nowadays.
The concert was chosen as the result of a survey. When students were asked what type of music they'd like the spring concert to be, the majority response was "alternative rock" and hence New Found Glory, a popular pop-punk band, played last spring.
Country came in second and the university, with a budget of $60,000, was able to reel in Gary Allan. It was not Allan's first stop in the area; he played Erie in 2004. The same kind of survey will be distributed next spring to determine 2009's campus concerts.
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