SpecialAttractions 'Vnbelievable' crowd packs @ensonfor funond ~io show September rolled around and it was time [0 bring out the W ranglers and ropers. T he Stetson hats were straightened as fans eagerly anticipated the upcoming event. As if the campus were magically transformed into a scene from the "Wild West ," it was clear that country music had once again graced Harding. For the first time in several years, Diamond Rio entertained a crowd in the Benson Auditorium, Sept. 30. With their mix ofclassic and new age country, many fans considered the concert to be one of the best Harding has ever sponso red. Unlike past coneen s on campus, this one took place on a Thursday night. While some feared the attendance would suffer because ofweeknight activities, ticket sales proved the contrary. "I think they did a great job promo ting the concert, especially with such sho rt no tice of the venue," said Katharine Snell , senior. "H aving the concert on a Thursday night was probably the best move the S.A.c. [Student Activities Commi t tee] could have made." Although the concert was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., the crowds began to gather an hour before the concert in anticipation of the show. "It seems there has not been a big name in music to play at Harding in several years," said Julie Dennis, sophomore. "Even though it was country music, it was still a great show to have at H arding." Dennis was not the only audience member to enjoy 42 Student Life the show. In fac t , many H arding students are fond of coun try music, incl uding Rachel Rosenbaum, sophomore. "I love country music, especially D iamond Rio . 1 gOt my t ickets the first day they were on sale because I could hardly wait," Rosenbaum said. "Th is concert was one of the best shows 1 have seen in a long time." Many students think there are too many country music groups brought to Harding. However, provided the location ofthe campus and the demographic makeup of H arding students, country venues continue to sell tickets to bo th Harding students and members of the surrounding communities. "1 don ' t think there is an overkill of country music at H arding," Gary G riffin, freshman, said. "I guess that 's just because 1 am a big country music fan ." Following the concert, a seiect group of backstage pass holders and Diamond Rio fan club members were able to meet the members of the band. The band mingled with their fans fo r more than an hour, signing au tographs and taking pictures. "I loved getting to meet the band members, especially Marty Roe," BridgetJohnson, junior, said. "They were the nicest guys in the world and 1 thought it was awesome how they stayed around for so long after the show JUSt to meet with their fans." In o rder to appeal to those students who are not country music fans, the S.A.C. also brought the alternative rock hand Better T han Ezra, Nov. 13. - Bryan Jobe Diamond Rio perfo rms some of their biggest hits incl uding "Meet in the MiddJe," fo r a large crowd in the Benson Auditorium, Sept. 30. O ther musical acts during the year included Bener Than Ezra and 1964, a Tribute to the Bearles.
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