Each year, ETSU’s Student Government Association has carried on the tradition of hosting a large-scale concert each semester to encourage student unity. For this spring’s concert, they have been able to book headliner Scotty McCreery and opening acts CAM and Folk Soul Revival. The music begins at Johnson City’s Freedom Hall on April 12t at 7 p.m.
A major part of creating these events is acknowledging student feedback. To start the process, the SGA encouraged students to vote in polls to determine what artists the population would be most excited to see. From there, the SGA began making plans and contacting the musicians, finally ending with country singer Scotty McCreery. This year, the SGA was able to book two additional opening acts, making this concert shape up to be one for the history books.
“Country music always sells really well,” said SGA Secretary of the Exterior Keyana Miller, who played a big role within the SGA planning events and concerts like these before. “A lot of students always want to go. It could just be because of the region that we are in, but the last really big concert I could equate this to would be when we had Billy Currington in 2016. That was another big country artist a lot of people liked. I am excited that students are excited about it.”
Scotty McCreery is best known for winning the tenth season of American Idol in 2011. His debut album included songs such as “Water Tower Town,” “I Love You This Big” and “The Trouble With Girls.” During his career, McCreery has been asked to perform at the CMT Music Awards and at the Grand Ole Opry.
CAM is another country music singer and songwriter that blends the pop genre with her music. She has written songs for both Sam Smith and Miley Cyrus. She’s most well-known for her song “Burning House,” featured on her album “Untamed.”
The second opening act, Folk Soul Revival, is a country music group formed nearby in Wise, Virginia. They regularly perform at festivals and the local Willow Tree Coffeehouse and Music Room.
“It is a great opportunity to have something to do on a Friday night for free,” says Miller. “I oftentimes hear students wanting more to happen on campus. This is a moment where we can all come together as a university and as a student population, where we voted on country, where we voted on Scotty McCreery, where we took that all into consideration. Now that it’s finally about to happen, show up, show out and have a good time!”
Tickets are available at the SORC on the second floor of the CPA with student ID. Students receive one free ticket and may purchase up to four additional tickets for $10 each. Tickets for the general public will go on sale on March 29 for $20.
