From busking on street corners to touring with Train, Andy Grammer has come a long way, and he’s continuing his journey with a stop at Ohio University.
Grammer will perform with opener Chris Wallace as part of the Campus Involvement Center and Division of Student Affair’s Performing Arts Concert Series.
After Grammer’s name appeared on a survey last spring, the Campus Involvement Center was watching to see when they could bring him in, said Andrew Holzaepfel, associate director of the Campus Involvement Center.
It cost $15,000 to bring Grammer and Wallace to OU, which is cheaper than usual, Holzaepfel said.
Two-thirds of the main floor tickets have been sold, and Holzaepfel said the center hopes to sell 1,000.
“I knew it was going to be a challenge, because it’s a Tuesday night, and we only had a month to promote it,” he said.
Grammer headlined a tour in 2011 but has been touring for most of the year with the likes of Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat and Train. He is currently headlining his second tour.
College shows are fun because the audience is usually a mix of fans and regular concertgoers, Grammer said.
“It’s usually half-and-half,” he said. “I like that challenge of winning them over and proving to them that they made a good choice in coming.”
Wallace and Grammer have been touring since the start of October and will finish Oct. 25.
This is Wallace’s first tour as a solo artist since the 2011 breakup of The White Tie Affair, of which he was the lead singer.
Wallace released his debut album Remember When (Push Rewind) Sept. 4 and said he is excited about the recent feedback.
“It’s cool to read that the songs touch someone in any way,” he said. “It’s cool to create something from nothing and have people enjoy it.”
Grammer’s music is able to provide entertainment for a variety of people, Holzaepfel added.
“I think it’s going to draw OU students but also draw community members, because he is Top-40 popular and adult-contemporary popular,” he said. “I think we are going to have a very diverse, eclectic audience.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
