Blake Shelton

Need a reason to celebrate?

How about this one: It’s the weekend!

There’s plenty going on this weekend, from the Race for the Cure to Fayetteville’s Springfest and much much more. And, thank goodness, there’s plenty of live music, too.

Oklahoma-born country musician Blake Shelton has recorded eight No. 1 country hits during his 10-year career, and in 2010 was named the Country Music Association’s Male Vocalist of the Year. He recently released the song “Honey Bee,” which is expected to be included in a forthcoming album. Shelton will appear on the University of Arkansas campus for a concert sponsored by the university’s student-fees driven Headliners Concert Committee. The show takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (April 30) at Barnhill Arena. A limited amount of tickets were distributed to students, and tickets for the general public are $31.50 and are available by calling 443-5600 or through www.waltonartscenter.org.

The next evening, you can say farewell to one of the busiest acts on our live music scene. After spending about two years performing in the various clubs and coffee shops and other stages of Northwest Arkansas, Candy Lee has decided to seek opportunities Jacksonville, Fla., and will be moving there soon. But, she won’t go before she’s had the chance to celebrate her time in Fayetteville with a show on Sunday (May 1) at Greenhouse Grille. Joining her for the show will be local acts such as The Cadre and Tiffany Christopher Band. Donations are being accepted to fund the move and an East Coast tour. The farewell event begins at 5 p.m.

Elsewhere, Lucinda Williams and Billy Joe Shaver are performing at the Fayetteville Town Center. The show, which was originally scheduled for the Arkansas Music Pavilion, was moved due to a bit of chilly weather that’s supposed to be here then. We’ll have more on this show a little later today, so check back.

There’s also the first Mulberry River Jam, which is taking place at Byrd’s Adventure Center near Ozark. We’ll have more on it later, too.

Of course, that’s only the beginning. See you out at some concerts, okay?

Jason Aldean

The last time Jason Aldean was in Fayetteville, he wasn’t as big of a deal.

In a blog post talking about his last gig here, which happened in September 2008 at the Arkansas Music Pavilion, I called Aldean “a rising country sensation.”

He’s done nothing but increase his profile since. The driving force behind that are his hits, of course. Since his last visit, Aldean has scored No. 1 country chart hits with “She’s Country,” “The Truth” and “Big Green Tractor.”

He acknowledges those songs, and the strength of his more recent album “My Kinda Party,” which featured the No. 2 country song that shares its title with the album, have given him the kind of opportunity he once only dreamed of. After a debut performance last night in Little Rock, Aldean’s new “My Kinda Party” tour rolls into Fayetteville for a show Saturday night (Jan. 22) at Barnhill Arena on the University of Arkansas campus.

In a recent phone call with me, Aldean talked about the need to increase the visual elements of his show without getting in the way of his music, about his travels through the country and exactly what kind of party he really does prefer (hint: It’s pretty close to the one he describes in the song).

To read the full story, you’ll have to find it online or pick up a copy of What’s Up! on a newsstand near you. You can find it in five publications: Northwest Arkansas Times, Benton County Daily Record, Rogers Morning News, Springdale Morning News and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Tickets are currently sold out, but concert co-presenter Walton Arts Center is encouraging those looking for tickets to check with the box office regularly, as more tickets may come available. The box office is available online at the link above or by calling 443-5600.

Snoop Dogg and some serious bling

All photos by KEVIN KINDER, NWA Media.

In front of a sold-out crowd at Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville that I would estimate at 7,000 strong, rap icon and jewelry enthusiast Snoop Dogg dropped a series of hits in an hour-long set on Sunday (Oct. 24) night. He got into the good stuff early, like during an electrifying version of a song he recorded with 50 Cent, “P.I.M.P.”

Backed by a DJ, drummer, bass player and a few other emcees, Snoop, wearing an Arkansas Razorbacks football jersey with the number “1″ on it, hit the stage as a video showing him appreciating a good smoke played on a videoboard behind him and the band.

Snoop’s performance followed a 30-minute opening set by the four emcee (and one hype man) troupe SoundChild Crew, who are based in Little Rock.

But this was the Doggfather’s show. Although he gives the illusion of a tough guy in his onstage gangsta rap antics — and rhyming — it didn’t seem any farther from the truth in real life. He took the time to pose for photos with the University of Arkansas student committee that brought the concert to campus. He also spent some time hanging backstage with several members of the Razorback football time, including a certain Heisman candidate quarterback.

Unfortunately, some security issues (suffice to say it’s a long story that boils down to confusion and miscommunication from both parties) prevented us from staying for the duration of the show. So, instead of a review, we present you with a few photos from the show.

Click on any of the images below to see a larger version.

[Show as slideshow]

Snoop Dogg

Update: As of about 11 a.m. on Oct. 13, tickets are sold out.

If you’re reading this post, tickets are now available for the Snoop Dogg concert on Oct. 24 at Barnhill Arena.

Both students and members of the public will pick up their tickets through the Walton Arts Center box office.

Students (with a valid ID, of course) started reserving their free tickets on Monday morning. Those tickets were gone within four hours of being available.

Admission for members of the general public is $29.50; those tickets went on sale at 9 a.m. today (Oct. 13). The WAC’s website was slowed Monday morning by student ticket demand, so you might want to stop by in person or call them at 443-5600 for tickets if the website seems lethargic.

Dierks Bentley. All photos by KEVIN KINDER, NWA Media

Sometimes, a musical performance seems scripted.

And, why wouldn’t it? The songs that are played are the same every night. The crowds cheer at the same places of the night, and the stages always tend to look similar.

Sometimes, it more than SEEMS scripted, it is: I’ve even seen set lists on the stage that tell the main act when they are supposed to talk to the crowd and that indicated which anecdote to share at which time.

You know, Dierks Bentley has been at this thing for a while. He’s released four albums during the past seven years and has toured both as a headlining artist and as an opener for country heavyweights such as Brad Paisley.

But on a beautiful spring evening, Bentley was about as far from rote recitation as he could be. He sped around the stage with enthusiasm, shaking hands and serving as his own cheerleader. He wore fans’ cowboy hats. He took a picture of himself with a fan’s camera. He paused in the middle of his set to indulge in one of his loves outside country music — bluegrass — and sing a classic rock number.

What Bentley did on Wednesday night (April 7) at Barnhill Arena on the University of Arkansas campus was nothing that remarkable, really. He played middle-of-the-road country songs which leaned pretty hard toward sounding like rock songs. He clapped and sang. But when it’s delivered with such enthusiasm and believability, it was hard not to enjoy what was happening.

Click the ‘more’ link below to continue reading about Bentley’s concert on Wednesday night at Barnhill Arena.

Not only did Bentley seem enthusiastic, but he also seemed real. He stammered about during his introduction to the song “My Last Name,” eventually just saying he liked it.

He talked candidly about his love of the military. He talked of ex-girlfriends. He said he stopped by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house(he was a collegiate member of that fraternity) on campus earlier in the day to say hello to the members.

He comes across as an average sort of person who hasn’t taken his fame for granted. He’s still has the illusion of working hard for his fans, and, if you’ve got the voice and good backing band to support the effort — and he does — it’s going to make for a pleasant evening.

The pacing of the set was well done, too, moving between slower ballads such as “Long Trip Alone” and uptempo rockers such as “Sideways” and “Little Heartwreckers.”

Bentley is getting ready to release an bluegrass album this summer, and he spent a few moments in the middle of the set exploring that territory, first with the title track of the forthcoming album, “Up On The Ridge,” and then with a bluegrass take on the Allman Brothers’ classic “Midnight Rider.” The songs were delivered from a single microphone on the middle of a platform that extended out from the stage, and both must be considered among the highlights.

The biggest response from the crowd — very much college age, due in large part to the free tickets that students got courtesy of the student-fees supported Headliners Concerts Committee — came during singalongs that were mustered for “Feel That Fire” and “Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go).”

The show may have been the least well attended (I’m guessing there were 4,500 to 5,000 there) of any of the Headliners shows that I was personally present at, but that never stopped Bentley during his 75-minute set.

Not in the least, in fact. He seemed grateful for every cheer he received. He acquired — and deserved — plenty of them.

Randy Rogers

About the opener: It’s a hard job for any band to find enthusiasm while a crowd is still arriving at the venue, but that’s what the Randy Rogers Band faced when they opened up the evening. Aside from the fiddle player, who looked as if he were more excited to be in the venue than anyone, Rogers and company didn’t seem to have much energy. They received the largest response during “One More Goodbye” and “Kiss Me In The Dark.” Not coincidentally, that was their last song.

Dierks Bentley Set List, according to the list attached to the soundboard: 1) Lot of Leaving Left To Do; 2) Trying To Stop You Leaving; 3) Feel That Fire; 4) So So Long; 5) Every Mile A Memory; 6) How Am I Doin’; 7) Close Your Eyes; 8) Long Trip Along; 9) Sideways; 10) Little Heartwrecker; 11) Settle For A Slowdown; 12) Up On The Ridge [acoustic bluegrass tune]; 13) Midnight Rider [Allman Brothers cover in bluegrass style]; 14) My Last Name; 15) Come A Little Closer; 16) Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go);

Encore: 17) What Was I Thinking; 18) Folsom Prison Blues [Johnny Cash cover]

Dierks Bentley

Later tonight (April 7), Dierks Bentley and several thousand of his friends will fill Barnhill Arena. Bentley comes to Fayetteville as one of the last stops on his current tour in support of his release “Feel That Fire.”

Shortly after his concert here, Bentley, a country star who has recorded such hits as “Long Trip Alone,” “Every Mile a Memory,” “What Was I Thinkin’” and more, will begin touring with a bluegrass band in support of his upcoming album “Up On The Ridge,” an acoustic, bluegrass-inspired album.

The Randy Rogers Band will serve as the opening act. Doors open at 7 p.m.; the Randy Rogers Band is expected to go on about 8 p.m. Bentley and his band will follow.

As of yesterday afternoon, a few student tickets were still available. Students will need a valid ID to get one.

For those of you who aren’t students, tickets are $37.50 and are available through Ticketmaster.com.

We’ll see you at the show.

However, we’re told the distribution would start about 10:30 a.m. — which was about 30 minutes ago. So, if you’re a University of Arkansas student, you should be able to get a ticket for Bentley’s show in Barnhill Arena now if you have a student ID and show up at the Union Ballroom. Until tickets are gone, of course.

Pollstar.com has some insight on Bentley regarding his upcoming album, although it appears as if his official tour in support of his upcoming bluegrass-based “Up on the Ridge” will began after his appearance in Fayetteville.

Still, maybe he’ll play a song or two? Read more about that project here.

Tickets are scheduled to go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. tomorrow (March 17) through Ticketmaster.

Dierks Bentley talks about how everyone wants to “Feel That Fire.” Let’s hope there are some pyrotechnics on his stage.

Update: We’re told tickets that public tickets will go on sale March 17 through Ticketmaster. The site indicates the tickets will be $37.50 each.

According to a Facebook event listing sent out by folks involved with the University of Arkansas’ Headliner Concerts Committee, we know who the spring act for the series will be.

Country star Dierks Bentley is scheduled to perform in Barnhill Arena on April 7, a Wednesday night, in Barnhill Arena. The hit maker is responsible for the song you see above, “Feel That Fire,” a No. 1 chart country tune, and others such as “Lot Of Leaving Left To Do,”Every Mile A Memory” and “Long Trip Alone.”

His Web site confirms his appearance.

Because the headliner committee is a student-fees supported endeavor, the first several thousand students to request a ticket will get one free. Distribution of student tickets will begin at 7:30 a.m. March 16 in the Union Ballroom on campus.

No word on an opening act or ticket prices for members of the public. We’ll let you know what we find out.

Third Eye Blind. All photos by KEVIN KINDER, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers

“Don’t be a critic. You know you love them. They are the most underrated band ever,” he offered.

I will say this: I was wrong about the San Francisco-based pop rockers. When their name was announced as the band for the University of Arkansas fall installment of the Headliner Concerts Committee series, I came as a surprise to me, considering some of the groups who had come before them in that series, namely, the Foo Fighters, T.I., John Mayer and others.

I didn’t expect Third Eye Blind to have the stadium appeal to fill the venue. I didn’t expect a band who burst onto the scene in 1997 to have any kind of raucous response from the college-aged crowd who would have been in middle school when they peaked.

I guess I did underestimate them after all.

Click the ‘more’ link to continue reading about Third Eye Blind’s recent concert in Fayetteville. 

Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind

Abraham Millett of Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind Setlist, as pulled from the stage:

First, a note. Jenkins, who noted that it was the band’s last night on the current tour, told the crowd the band was going off script. They added “God of Wine” late in the set, which was not originally scheduled to be played.

1) Intro; 2) Can You Take Me; 3) Losing a Whole Year; 4) Faster; 5) Wounded; 6) Sharp Knife; 7) Never Let You Go; 8) Bonfire; 9) Motorcycle Drive By; 10) Water Landing; 11) Jumper; 12) Dao of St. Paul; 13) Guitar solo; 140 Graduate, with drum solo; 15) Monotov’s Private Opera

Encore: 16) Slow Motion; 17) Don’t Believe a Word; 18) Semi Charmed Life 19) God of Wine; 20 Bonfire (reprise)

Step back from that ledge, my friend. No need to worry. The wait is almost over. Third Eye Blind is coming here on Tuesday.

Well, as we eluded to in this week’s Listen Here! music column, there simply wasn’t enough room to include all of the details from our e-mail conversation with Brad Hargreaves, the drummer from Third Eye Blind, the band that will be coming to Fayetteville on Tuesday (Nov. 17).

In the column that was published today, we discussed the band’s ascent, fall and return to the spotlight. We also get the skinny on the after-party that’s going to take place following the show at George’s Majestic Lounge.

Not all of the material made it in, however, so we decided to include it here.

Click on the ‘more’ link below to read the exclusive content below.

Tickets to the show 7:30 p.m. show at Barnhill Arena on the UA campus in Fayetteville are $20 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-3000.

We’ll see you at the show.

Kevin Kinder, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers: After a six year hiatus, did you ever think you’d release another full-length album like you did with “Ursa Major?” Why or why not?

Brad Hargreaves, drummer for Third Eye Blind, responding via e-mail from the road: I always believed we would release another record even though it appeared to be bleak at times. Our fans really reinvigorated us around the time of our 10 year anniversary show and the inspiration carried us through.

KK: What do you think the album says about where you are all at as songwriters and performers?

BH: I have no idea. We still make music for the same reason we alway have, a genuine need to express ourselves through music. It is all we are cut out to do in this life and I would like to believe that we have all honed our crafts. “Ursa Major’s reception is quite gratifying because the record is very much who we have become.

KK: What does it say about where you are in your life right now?

BH: I believe there is a sense of freedom in the record, from the songwriting to the performances that doesn’t make it onto a lot of records these days. We are an indie band now, with our own record label, and are self managed. Everything is very authentically Third Eye Blind now more so than ever and that is a great place to be as an artist.

KK: How many of the new songs will you incorporate into your live performance on Nov. 17?

BH: We play 5 or 6 new songs as well as a bunch of older songs. A couple of new songs are even rearranged from the album version.

KK: What are your hopes and goals for “Ursa Major?” In the new world of iTunes and other digital sales, what constitutes a success now?

BH: The measurements have changed, no question. Having had our highest debut ever with ‘Ursa Major’ felt like a success. I subscribe to the idea that you are only successful when you are making a successful act so we keep our heads down and keep working. That is all we have ever done. My idea of success is to just keep the train rolling.

KK: About the tour: Tell me how the dates you’ve played so far have gone and what those attending the show here in Fayetteville might expect.

BH: This is the last show of our tour so it will be a bit of a bittersweet celebration. The Planetarium tour has been a fun ride. I always feel like we are a better band after each tour and this is no different. Our goal each how is to reach those communal transcendent moments where everybody is together as one. I expect to get there.

KK: Third Eye Blind previously played Barnhill Arena, the same venue you’ll be playing next Tuesday, in 2000. Do you have any recollections of that show? What are your thoughts about Fayetteville?

BH: I can’t honestly say I remember that. It will probably come back to me when I get there. I am not great with names.

KK: That you can play in venues the same size as you did nine years ago, despite some of the turmoil you went through as a band, what does that mean to you?

BH: I feel like we are bigger than we have ever been and I am quite grateful for it. It is not easy to have even the longevity that we have experienced so the fact that a whole new generation of fans have embraced us means a great deal.

KK: I understand you’ll be playing an afterparty at a club following the show. What can we expect from that gig?

BH: We are going to have an end of tour celebration at George’s Majestic. I have a project called Just Brad where I DJ and drum at the same time so I will be doing a set. It is free so I hope everyone comes down and tears it up.