Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Laura Butler

Media Credit: Laura Butler

Media Credit: Laura Butler

Media Credit: Laura Butler

Media Credit: Laura Butler

A rowdy country crowd packed Brock Auditorium Thursday, Nov. 12, as Eastern's Student Activities Council (SAC) geared up for their fall concert, featuring country singer and songwriter Keith Anderson, along with the Trailer Trash Band and Roxanne East.

A long line of more than 1,200 fans sporting trucker hats, flannel and of course, cowboy boots, added a rugged appeal to Lancaster Ave. When doors opened, the auditorium filled in half an hour.

Roxanne East, a 19-year-old nursing major at Eastern, kicked-off the evening at 7:30 p.m., playing guitar and belting some "tough gal" anthems from Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert.

Alison King, a graduate student, said she was already enjoying the concert from the get-go.

"She was an awesome opening act," King said. "That's the first time I've ever heard Roxanne and she was good."

The Trailer Trash Band, hailing from Nicholasville, added to the excitement by playing some of their original tunes. And while the band hasn't made it to the radio yet, they're excited to be on their way.

"Are the rednecks still here or did they leave?" the Band asked. "Hillbillies? And how many trailer trash we got here?"

The crowd ignited.

Trailer Trash riled things up with Montgomery Gentry's "Hillbilly Shoes." The bass vibrated throughout the building, like a large heathen heartbeat.

"That's one way to get them on their feet," the band said.

They ended their act with what could be the band's theme song, "Trailer Trash Fans Rock," which got cheers and whistles from fans throughout the auditorium. After exiting the stage, fans voiced their approval and began to chant "Trailer Trash."

As the clock struck 9 p.m, the lights went out and "Black Betty" began to play through the sound system.

SAC concert co-chair Megan Franklin said the idea was to build some suspense and get everyone excited and pumped up. The tension was high just before Anderson came on stage and when he did, the crowd gave an explosive welcome with roars of applause, random country bawls and screaming girls.

"The crowd was already riled up, but when Keith Anderson ran out there I thought everyone just went crazy," said Franklin. "It was awesome."

As he strapped on his guitar and dazzled the fans with his smile, he shouted a southern welcome above the bass guitar and drums building in the background.

"Ya'll ready to party tonight?" Anderson said. "We got any double XXLs in the house?"

And the evening cranked into overdrive, starting with his hit "XXL," from his debut album, "Three Chord Country and American Rock and Roll."

Anderson played the crowd, especially the women, flexing his muscles.

"…I'm a lean, mean love machine that likes to be held…those Kentucky girls love a XXL."

Anderson kept the crowd hyped by playing other hits, such as "Podunk, "I Still Miss You," and Big & Rich's "Lost in this Moment," which Anderson wrote.

Approaching the end of the concert, Anderson sang "Every Time I Hear Your Name," his most recent song on the radio. The crowd sang along, and as the house lights came on illuminating the crowd, Anderson seemed to be very pleased and proud.

"This is a good crowd…I love it!" he said.

He closed by expressing how much he liked taking trail rides and gave "Pickin' Wildflowers" a whole new meaning.

Marie Patterson and Jessica Burba, both students, enjoyed their front-row experience.

"It was so much fun," Patterson said. "It was amazing."

"I thought he rocked!" Burba added.

After the show, Anderson stayed to sign autographs and meet with fans, which impressed a lot of people.

Jon Weirich, a 22-year-old assets protection and security major said he didn't expect Anderson to be so humble and down-to-earth because he is such a famous performer.

"He didn't have to sign autographs and meet with us and stuff," Weirich said. "But you can tell he cares about his fans and I think that's cool as hell."

After the show Travis Rose said he recognized some of Anderson's songs but he didn't know who sang them beforehand.

"He put on a hell of a show," said Rose said. "I heard some new songs I liked and others I'd heard before. I'll probably check out more of his stuff, he was good."

SAC hasn't set a date for the spring concert yet but students can go online to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=e9ZGNrxyj8YUu7xcbokQaQ_3d_3dfor EKU's spring concert" on Facebook to vote for one of 10 artists to perform. Voting on all ten options ends this Friday, but the final three will be open for voting until Nov. 29.

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