The Student Government Association announced Tuesday that stand-up comedian Jeff Foxworthy will be the featured guest at the spring concert event on April 19, 2007.
Earlier in the semester, e-mail voting placed Foxworthy as the students’ fourth choice behind Dave Chappelle, Ron White and Chris Rock.
Michelle Miller, SGA secretary of external affairs, said Foxworthy was selected after the other comedians declined the offer to perform.
Chappelle is not accepting bids until 2007. White asked for concessions that could not be made in the Mini-Dome; reportedly smoking and drinking on stage is an inseparable part of his act. Rock does not perform at colleges.
Foxworthy’s popular “You might be a redneck if .” comedy routine has made him a multiple Grammy Award nominee, the best-selling author of 11 books and the largest selling comedy recording artiste in history.
In an interview with Country Music Television’s Katie Cook, Foxworthy said people laugh at his jokes because they see themselves in them.
“I found the closer I keep them to the truth, the better they’re going to work,” he said.
Some students readily identify with Foxworthy’s humor and think it accurately represents the student body.
“He can be hilarious without being too inappropriate or incredibly offensive, compared to some of the other names on the list,” said Amber Keesecker, a freshman majoring in communications. “The SGA is getting better every semester when it comes to getting what the students want.”
Others are turned off by Foxworthy’s countrified comedy.
“I’m really indifferent about him,” said Kristen Hornstein, a sophomore majoring in speech. “He’s a little too redneck for me.”
In January of 2000, Foxworthy embarked on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, along with comedians Bill Engvall, Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy. The popularity of the southern-style quartet has produced two DVDs and one sketch comedy show: “Blue Collar TV.”
In April, Foxworthy hosted the “2006 CMT Music Awards” on the Country Music Television network. “Foxworthy’s Big Night Out,” which also airs on CMT, features guest stars from the country music world in comedic sketches.
Foxworthy’s level of celebrity has caused excitement at the SGA.
“I think this will be the biggest event we’ve had on campus,” Miller said. “This is a big step up from Everclear. It’s wonderful that we have come this far.”
Miller said Foxworthy will be receiving $150,000 for his performance in the Mini-Dome, paid for by students’ activity fees.
Tickets for the spring concert event will be available in two months and will be free for students and $10 for guests. Previous acts sponsored by the SGA have been musicians. Foxworthy is the first comediane.

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