~ I A HEART FILLED WITH MUSIC FRESHMAN OPENS CONCERT FOR LECRAE WORDS Emijy Wheeless I I PHOTOS Kaley Burks Freshman Austin Varner shared his gift of music with the community during the fall 2017 semester. Varner performed all over Searcy and expanded his performance skills while attending school at Harding. I ine year ago, Varn r began learning how to play the guitar from huck Hicks, assi tant professor of music, who noted the value ofVarner' hard-working attitude. " o doubt [Austin] ha talent, but he also has persistence," Hicks said. "The persi tence will be the character trait that will bring him success, regardless of the path he choose .' ince being at Harding Varner opened for Lecrae on ept. 11, and also performed at KIBO [idnight Oil on Oct. 22. arner grew up in earcy, before moving to Jackson, Tenne sec, which made the thought of performing at fidnight Oil special. "l have many memories fbeing 12 or 13 years old and seeing packed concerts on the porch and inside and thinking that the musicians performing h~d 'made it,"' Varner said." o being able ro perform for the first time just recently as a full band playing my own mu ic wa a great feeling looking back on the memories leading up to the performance." Varner released a seven-song album titled "Reasons," in summer 2017 on potify, with the help of fellow performers like drummer-Clayton Wallace. "Austin is one of the best musician I have had the privilege of playing with," Wallace aid. "Being in the ame room with him just creates an artistic flow you cannot find ,; ith just anyone. He i one of the best around." Though \ arner loved music and performing, he was not sure where the future would lead him. "l think my central goal for music is that it serves its purpose in my life as inspiration, entertainment and a way to connect with other people," arner said. "lf that mean a hort-lived or life-I ng career in music that would be awesome, but if not music is still going to play an important role in my Ii fe and relationships." I Freshman Austin Varner performs in KIBO Midnight Oil on Oct. 27, 20 7. Varner started performing for small audiences in KIBO Midnight Oil as well for big audiences like opening the concert for Lecrae on the George S. Benson Auditorium.// Photo by Kaley Burks w __j 0.. 0 w 0.. 0 co :.,.. f 1.,.~: .... _,.r: ',:: .. ,~Jt·· •',•~~•I - - • r• ,Ii ,t~d ~I 1ititl.!,,,. •• t ~;!:~.- ._.I.,._ f ·•·•••''''I·~ • • < ~•· ·: • ,,,·~it·~1 •:: •♦- •• t \ • • l ...,,_ I, _.t ♦·• .. -~·-:-••• ,I.I.., ~~····•1, ,~ ,•1• • i -- • ::: !t ' ~ '. t ~ • -. i .., •• ,t .. ' •• .., : .I j
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==