OXFORD,
Miss. – This year’s Springfest concert at the University of Mississippi
features a blend of country, rap and rock with featured acts Zac Brown
Band, Soulja Boy and the Skinner Boys Band.
The annual concert
is set for 6 p.m. April 17 on the Grove Stage. Admission is free. The
concert takes place on the eve of the annual Grove Bowl spring football
game, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 18 at Vaught-Hemingway
Stadium.
“We are really excited about the day and time of the
concert because it’s such a big weekend for Ole Miss,” said Bradley
Baker, coordinator for the Department of Campus Programming.
Zac
Brown Band released its first album, “The Foundation,” in November
2008. The group’s first single, “Chicken Fried,” peaked at No. 1 on the
Billboard Hot Country Chart and maintained that position for two weeks.
The group is nominated for the American Country Music Top New Artist of
the Year award.
Rap artist Soulja Boy is best known for his 2007 Grammy-nominated hit, “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy).” A Batesville native, Soulja Boy recently released a new album, “iSouljaBoyTellem,” and a new single, “Birdwalk.”
Based in Oxford, the Skinner Boys Band emerged onto the music scene in late 2007. The group has shared the stage with acts such as Ingram Hill, Luke Bryan and David Allen Coe. Their music is influenced by various artists, including Cross Canadian Ragweed, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones.
Besides the music, several guest appearances are planned for the Springfest concert. Several former Ole Miss football stars and current NFL players will make appearances, including Von Hutchins, Todd Wade and Marcus Johnson.
Food vendors will be present at the event. Ole Miss dining services and Grille Works will sell hot items including hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken tenders, as well as brownies, cookies and more. Coke Zero will be providing free drinks. Sno Biz of Oxford will also be selling sno-cones in the Grove during the concert.
Baker encourages UM students, alumni, faculty and staff to attend the concert. “We’re hoping to have a great crowd,” he said. “It’s really an all-ages show, so people from young children to college students and older are more than welcome to attend the concert.”
Sponsors for Springfest include the Student Programming Board, Department of Campus Programming and the Associated Student Body. The concert is produced by Southeast Attractions of Birmingham, Ala.
For more information, contact Baker at 662-915-1044 or visit http://www.olemissdcp.com/. For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7922.