By Allison Little
The Student Activities Council hosted a homecoming concert on Nov. 5 in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel with special guests Andrew Ripp, Ben Rector and Dave Barnes.
Amy Holden, SAC member and senior Spanish major, said about 900 people attended the concert.
Andrew Ripp, a singer-songwriter from Chicago, opened the concert and performed with only his voice and guitar. He started with what he called “a chill song” and gradually picked up the mood with rock-and-roll. His pure sound quickly grabbed the audience’s attention.
“I had never heard of Ripp and had definitely never heard his music, but from the first song I was hooked,” said Rachael Collins, junior social work major. “I loved the sound of his music, and his voice was incredible. … I liked how he combined rock with soul with real-life lyrics.”
In September, Ripp released a new album, titled “She Remains the Same.”
Ben Rector, a singer-songwriter from Tulsa, Okla., was the second artist to perform. He was accompanied by Nathan Dugger, a band member of Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, who played the piano and guitar alongside Rector. Warming up to the audience, he said he was going to make up a third verse to “Loving You Is Easy.” He allowed audience members to give him a topic for the verse, which was “trees.”
“I’ve listened to Barnes for a while now, but I did not know any of Rector’s songs,” said Haley Gallagher, senior business marketing major. “Now, after seeing him perform, I am obsessed and I purchased his newest CD. He is definitely a new favorite for me.”
Dave Barnes, a singer-songwriter from Kosciusko, Miss., and his band ended the show. Barnes entertained the audience musically, but also with his eccentric personality and humor.
“He has always drawn more of a female crowd because the majority of his lyrics are about love and relationships, but I really enjoy his music and his concerts, because he puts on a good show and makes you feel like you are a part of it in some way,” said Jordan Johnson, senior social work major.
Barnes released his first Christmas album Nov. 9.
