With cowboy boots and hats, Freedom Hall was filled with pure country love at the SGA Spring 2024 Concert.

On April 21, famous country music artist Riley Green performed at Freedom Hall. Special guests “Maddie & Tae” and Jordy Searcy opened for Green. This was part of the Student Government Association’s Spring Concert. It was a sold-out event. The doors opened at 5:30 p.m. and the show started at 7 p.m. It was a very inclusive concert, including having a deaf interpreter.

Jordy Searcy performs on stage at the 2024 Student Government Association spring concert in Freedom Hall. (Dora Mercado/East Tennessean)

This was part of Riley Green’s “Ain’t My Last Rodeo Tour.” He sang many of his famous songs like “If It Wasn’t For Trucks” and “Georgia Time.” He brought out his dog, Carl the Country Corgi. Before the concert, there was opportunity to donate to Green’s charitable fund, “Buford Bonus Fund.” There was also a leaderboard competing with Riley Green trivia. There was also an opportunity to share videos from the show on the billboard. On the billboard during his songs, it played the music video and showed Green on stage.

His band included Charlie Diez, Defored Brown, Quinn Straphill, Dave Silverha, Jake Gaviher and Tim Rocicker.

Best friends, “Maddie (Font), and Tae (Kerr),” performed before Green swagged out in ETSU gear.

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Maddie & Tae perform on the Freedom Hall stage. (Contributed/Marisa Braden)

“We never got to go to college, so we are going to pretend to be a Buc tonight,” said Maddie. “We are swagged out tonight.”

They performed their songs including “Friends Don’t” and “Heart They Didn’t Break.” They also debuted a new song, “Girl in Alabama,” for Johnson City. Their band included Andrew Beltier, Kyle Mae and Shay Smith.

Freedom Hall sold concessions including alcohol, with purchase of a valid ID. They also sold merchandise from the artists, including Riley Green’s “Damn Good Music” flags and “Carl the Country Corgi” shirts.

Students were able to claim one free tickets at the Carrier Center. Additionally, they had the option to buy two guest tickets for $10 each. Faculty and staff had the option to buy four tickets at $10 each with a valid ETSU ID. Tickets were available on March 4 for students and March 18 for faculty and staff. For the public, the tickets went on sale on April 1 at $35 plus tax.

Riley Green posted his thanks for Johnson City on his Instagram on April 21 with the caption “I appreciate yall.”

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