The sounds of country music will once again spread through campus when the Campus Activities Board brings the up-and-coming band Old Dominion to Lovett Auditorium next month.

The band has developed a following after opening for larger acts such as The Band Perry, Luke Bryan and Keith Urban. Old Dominion is fronted by lead singer Matthew Ramsey and also includes Brad Tursi, Trevor Rosen, Geoff Sprung and Whit Sellers.

The band’s new single “Break Up With Him” from its self-titled EP has been rising on the charts. Jeanie Morgan, student activities adviser, said students should take advantage of this free event.

“It will be a fun night,” Morgan said. “We look to do activities that we think will be educational but also stress relievers.”

One unique feature of this concert will be its conjunction with the Miss Murray State pageant. The 15 contestants will be on stage for part of the concert doing a dance number to one of the songs. Morgan said the contestants and the band are excited about this collaboration.

Another reason CAB puts on its yearly free concert for students is to give them the opportunity to learn how to put together a concert event the right way. She said the CAB members gain experience they can take with them into the workforce.

“There is more to it than just saying ‘Oh, we’re having them,’” Morgan said. “You have to do the background, the setup, the advertising; there is a lot that goes into it. There are a lot of students who want to do this for a job so this gives them a perfect learning opportunity and makes them connections.”

Old Dominion is not the first country act the CAB has brought to Murray. Last spring, Chase Rice performed for an only half full Lovett Auditorium. This year, Morgan hopes to double the number of people in attendance.

Students should be on the lookout for meet-and-greet opportunities with the band before the concert. An announcement should be released soon on the group’s Facebook page.

The concert will be at 8 p.m. on April 7 in Lovett Auditorium. Attendance is free for anyone with a student ID and tickets cost $10 for the general public. Tickets are on sale now.

Story by Breanna Sill, Features Editor