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RELEASED: Feb. 12, 2004
DANVILLE, KY—Students wanted a big musical act to come to campus and Centre's Student Activities Council delivered. Ben Folds, acclaimed singer and pianist, will be performing May 7 at Centre's Norton Center for the Arts.
Famous for songs such as "Brick," "The Battle of Who Could Care Less" and "Fair," Folds will visit the college as part of his solo tour.
"I've never found anyone that I like more than Ben Folds," says sophomore J.P. Isele from Hopkinsville, Ky. "Even though some of today's more mainstream bands feature a piano, Ben Folds has mastered the art."
Folds came to prominence in 1993 with the group Ben Folds Five.
Ben Folds Five's 1997 album Whatever & Ever Amen won platinum status and made them alternative-rock and college radio favorites.
The singer went solo in 2001. His albums include Rockin' the Suburbs (2001), Ben Folds Live (2002) and Maybe this Christmas (2002).
"Landing the biggest act in SAC history this year is tremendous," says senior and SAC president Chris Fleming of Louisville, Ky. "It's been a year of many changes in SAC. Ben Folds being the act for Carnival exemplifies SAC's willingness to listen to the students."
Folds will be here as part of Carnival Week. Carnival, established in 1903, is a series of fun student events such as the time-honored Spring Sing Contest and a picnic on the lawn in front of Old Centre.
SAC announced that Folds was coming earlier this week. Students gathered in the Combs Center to hear the good news. As a teaser, junior DeShawn Collett of Louisville jokingly wore a sign with the name of a not-so-popular band as he came to the stage. Collett then removed the sign to reveal "Ben Folds" painted on his back.
"When I first heard a big band was coming to Centre I was excited," says junior and SAC member Thom Greene of Prestonsburg, Ky. "When I heard it was Ben Folds I was shocked. It makes me proud to be a part of an organization that really strives to give the campus what they want. People spoke, we listened and students are generating more buzz then ever before."
Renie Moss, director of student activities at Centre, played a key role in helping land Folds. She works with various campus programs and organizations to develop the activities calendar for students.
Folds will perform live at 8 p.m. in Newlin Hall of the college's Norton Center for the Arts. Centre students can purchase tickets on Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Norton Center box office. Sales will continue Feb. 17 through March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the box office. SAC is providing a discount for student tickets. Student tickets are $20 and $25. Centre students must show valid Centre ID at point of purchase and may purchase up to four tickets at the discounted rate. After March 14, all remaining tickets will be sold to faculty, staff, and the community at the regular price of $35 and $45
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