No, it’s not a “Rumor,” Lee Brice is performing in MemAud on Thursday for the third time since 2013.
The country music star first came to Ohio University in 2013 when he opened for “Lover, Lover” singer Jerrod Niemann. The second time was in 2014 when he upgraded to a headlining position. Brice is the main attraction in this week’s concert, which starts at 8 p.m. Country up-and-comer Josh Phillips will open the show.
With five more years of hits on Brice’s setlist, Andrew Holzaepfel, senior associate director of student activities, said the show will be completely different from the last time Brice was in Athens.
“He puts on a great show,” Holzaepfel said. “For me it was a no-brainer to have him back because he’s putting out so much music and so many new hits since the last time he’s been here. It’s a completely different show.”
Brice has four top-10 hits on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart: “A Woman Like You,” “I Don’t Dance,” “Hard to Love” and “I Drive Your Truck.” Brice’s 2010 song “Love Like Crazy” is what catapulted him into success and household recognition.
Brice’s most-recent single “Rumor” is also climbing the country charts, and currently ranks at No. 13.
With the show being close to a sell-out, it will prove to be more than just a “Parking Lot Party,” another one of Brice’s hits.
Raychel Sorgenfrei, a sophomore studying nursing, has seen Brice perform at a fair before and said his performance was good.
“I like his voice,” Sorgenfrei said. “It’s very rough sounding.”
Sydney Charnock, a sophomore studying nursing, considered going to the concert because she likes country music and the fact that it’s not expensive to see someone perform in MemAud.
“We’re all broke, so it gives us a chance to see a concert,” Charnock said.
Brice’s crew is always great to work with, which is another reason Holzaepfel likes booking the artist, he said.
“It's nice when I know it's going to be a very professional day, a very easy day from the back-of-the-house standpoint,” Holzaepfel said. “You know it’s going to end with just an awesome 90 minutes of hits and good music and a good show.”
