O.A.R. Joins Sheryl Crow and Los Lonely Boys for Sept. 8 Centennial Campaign Concert at Kent State

Concert presented by Kent State University Foundation, Acorn Alley and Main Street Kent

Platinum-selling group O.A.R. has been added to the Sept. 8 Centennial Campaign Concert at Kent State University, joining Grammy Award-winning artists Sheryl Crow and Los Lonely Boys. The three acts will perform at Kent State’s Dix Stadium.

In addition, the Kent State University Foundation has announced a partnership with local Kent business leaders to present the Centennial Campaign Concert. The concert has been organized to celebrate the successful end of the Centennial Campaign, which raised $265 million toward the completion of university capital projects and secured nearly 300 endowed scholarships for Kent State students.

The festivities will begin with a tailgate event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the stadium grounds featuring food and local vendors. The concert, the first at Dix Stadium in more than 20 years, kicks off at 6 p.m. with Los Lonely Boys, whose debut single “Heaven” earned them a 2005 Grammy for Best Pop Performance. Next up will be O.A.R., a band that has transformed itself from local Ohio State University bandmates to Billboard chartbusters with songs like “Shattered (Turn the Car Around)” and “Love and Memories.” Topping off the evening is singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, who has won nine Grammy Awards.

“The Centennial Campaign was an enormous success, and it was important to us to involve our donors, the community, students, faculty and staff in this milestone accomplishment,” said Gene Finn, vice president for institutional advancement at Kent State and executive director of the Kent State University Foundation. “We’re excited to announce O.A.R., a band that is very popular with our students, has been added to the concert. Also, our partnership with Acorn Alley and Main Street Kent is a perfect town-and-gown initiative.” 

Michelle Hartman, vice president of RLB Phoenix Properties, which includes Acorn Alley, said, “We’re so excited to be a part of this event and bring visitors back to visit old favorites and new additions to downtown Kent. It is a great opportunity to show off downtown Kent and support scholarships.”

Heather Malarcik, the executive director of Main Street Kent, added, “Our members are proud to be part of the celebration and to be part of the renaissance of downtown Kent.”

A portion of ticket sales for the Centennial Campaign Concert will benefit the Campaign for Change, a scholarship for Kent State students. Tickets are available for the general public ($35 and $50) at www.ticketmaster.com. Kent State student tickets ($20 and $30) can be purchased at the Kent State Ticket Office in the MAC Center with a valid Kent State student ID.

For complete concert information, visit www.kent.edu/advancement/centennialcampaignconcert.

# # #

Photo Caption:
Platinum-selling group O.A.R. has been added to the Sept. 8 Centennial Campaign Concert at Kent State University. O.A.R. will join Grammy Award-winning artists Sheryl Crow and Los Lonely Boys at Kent State’s Dix Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Danny Clinch)

Media Contacts:
Valoree Vargo, Kent State University, vvargo1@kent.edu, 330-672-8577
Michelle Hartman, Acorn Alley, mhartman43@aol.com, 330-815-4315
Heather Malarcik, Main Street Kent, Heather@mainstreetkent.org, 330-677-8000

About the Kent State University Foundation
Incorporated in 1965, the Kent State University Foundation is a not-for-profit entity that receives gifts on behalf of the university, manages and invests those funds, and administers them in accordance with donor wishes.

While serving only Kent State, the foundation is legally separate from it. Financial assets of the foundation will aid the university in ways we cannot even imagine today. The impact of these resources continues to grow over time. Private gifts enable Kent State and its students to achieve levels of excellence not possible through state assistance alone. The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors who safeguards and manages its assets. Many are leaders in the business and professional community. All serve without compensation, contributing their time and expertise to ensure a bright future for Kent State University.

For more information about the Kent State University Foundation, visit www.kent.edu/advancement/ksufoundation.

About Acorn Alley
Discover Acorn Alley in historic downtown Kent and you'll discover a renewed retail and dining experience where there is something for everyone, including locally owned shops and boutiques and a variety of cafes and fine dining, which all make for a fun and unique experience.

Visit Acorn Alley on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AcornAlleyKent.

About Main Street Kent
Main Street Kent is a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of downtown Kent. Supporting local business is the key to a healthy local economy, and Main Street Kent does all it can to bring people downtown to do just that.

For more information about Main Street Kent, visit www.mainstreetkent.org.