ccsandli@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
On Friday night, American pop singer-songwriters Andy Grammer, Ryan Star and Rachel Platten energized an audience of over 400 people in the University Center Ballroom.
The concert, sponsored by the PAC, The Criterion and KMSA 91.3, was free to CMU students that showed their new MAVcard, and cost $10 to community members.
“The show went really well,” KMSA General Manager Kyle Cooper said. “I wish more people would have showed up, but it was a good turn out being that the basketball game and the X Games were going on at the same time.”
PAC Chair Aaron Krabacher shared Cooper’s sentiments, but was still pleased with the turn out.
“[Grammer] was coming through town on his way from Salt Lake City to Denver and Friday was the only day he could do it,” Krabacher said. “We got a great deal to bring all three performers and were glad to bring a big name to CMU.”
The performers were no strangers to performing at universities. Platten, the first perfomer of the night, said they toured 45 schools last year. She said Denver is among her favorite cities to perform.
“I’m obsessed with Colorado,” Platten said. “You guys have great access to things you like to do and you guys have really good energy.”
Originally from Massachusetts, Platten was interested in music at a young age. Her album, “Be Here,” is made up of 10 piano-driven pop/rock works of songs that are “universally understandable,” according to her website, www.rachelplatten.com.
She is known for her single “1,000 Ships,” which became a top 30 hit on the Billboard Adult Top 40 Chart. She is also known for writing the theme song for “Jane by Design,” a TV series on ABC Family.
Platten said she is influenced vocally by artists Eva Cassidy and Nelly Furtado.
“I love how they make their voices dance,” Platten said. “They are soulful and are both singers and songwriters.”
The evening’s second performer, Ryan Star, is known for his appearance on “Rock Star: Supernova,” a CBS reality TV show that aired in 2006. According to his website, www.rstar.net, the show’s success “brought me from the small hipster clubs of NYC to stages around the world.”
Star’s performance brought sophomores Ariel Diamond and Brittany Hilgers to play tambourines on stage with him.
“It was fun, but a little nerve racking,” Diamond said. “He was a nice guy. After the show, we took a picture with him and laughed about our little moment of glory. Next time I go to a concert, I’ll be sure to practice the tambourine beforehand.”
This trip marked Grammer’s second time playing in Grand Junction, but this time he was a headliner. In early October, Grammer opened for Colbie Caillat at the Avalon Theatre.
Grammer is the first male pop star since 2003 to reach the Top 10 at Adult Pop Radio with his hit single “Keep Your Head Up,” which is now a certified Gold Record.
People in the crowd danced and sang along to the hits they recognized.
“It was really fun and everyone was so psyched,” Grammer said. “Getting people to sing along with the words is the best part of being a musician. It’s pretty special.”
Grammer said that in his free time, he likes to play basketball. He demonstrated that prior to the show, when he and a few of his band members played basketball at the CMU Recreation Center.
“The show was a hit,” Krabacher said. “I felt like everyone liked the performers and they were awesome to work with.”
Krabacher said he was pleased with the advertising that was involved, as not only was the concert advertised on KMSA and in The Criterion, but it was also promoted on Facebook, in the Daily Sentinel’s “Out & About,” on Magic 93.1, and show posters were posted on campus, downtown and in local high schools.
Next, Krabacher said they hope to bring a well-known reggae band to MavFest in April.
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