Country star Brad Paisley to perform free concert at KU on Oct. 14
UPDATE: Due to a tour scheduling change, the start time for the opening act of the concert has been moved to 7:30 p.m.
LAWRENCE – Country music singer Brad Paisley will perform a free outdoor concert at the University of Kansas for students and all fans as part of his national tour of college campuses.
“The Country Nation College Tour presented by Frontier Communications” will visit Lawrence at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at parking lot 94 east of Memorial Stadium.
“We are pleased to bring Brad Paisley to our campus so our students can enjoy a concert from an award-winning country music artist right here at KU,” said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little. “We welcome an opportunity to have this kind of entertainer perform at our university, and I know our KU community will enjoy the show.”
Paisley’s “Country Nation” single from his album, Moonshine in the Trunk, debuted in 2015. Written by Paisley and his longtime collaborators Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, “Country Nation” is a celebration of the college spirit and America’s passion for sports that weaves in a shout-out to 18 college sports mascots. Paisley has already made stops at the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, West Virginia University and The Ohio State University, with additional stops scheduled at the Air Force Academy, East Carolina University, University of Connecticut, University of Nebraska and UCLA.
More than 120,000 fans took advantage of Paisley’s inaugural free Country Nation College Tour concerts in 2015.
IMG, which serves more than 200 universities nationwide, is a division of WME | IMG, which also represents Paisley and brokered the college tour deal.
Additional details about the concert:
Schedule
The concert on Oct. 14 is free for students and all fans. No tickets are required.
6:30 p.m. — Gates open
7:30 p.m. — Opening act Brett Young takes stage, followed by Brad Paisley
Parking
Permit holders will need to clear lot 94 east of Memorial Stadium by 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. Parking & Transit will email permit holders directly with alternate parking options. No tailgating or tents will be allowed in the parking lots. Concert parking opens at 6 p.m., and will be available in the following areas:
• Mississippi Street garage
• Lots 56, 57, 58, 59 and 65 (west of Memorial Stadium)
• Lot 50, 52 (Carruth-O’Leary and Joseph R. Pearson halls)
• Lot 36 and 39 (Memorial Drive)
• Accessible parking is available in Lot 91 (Spencer Art Museum)
Concessions
Concessions will be available with offerings from local food trucks coordinated by KU Dining.
Alcohol-free
No alcohol will be permitted on the KU campus for the concert.
Drones
All unmanned aircraft systems are prohibited.
Prohibited Items
To ensure the safety, comfort and convenience of our guests, the following items will not be allowed at the concert:
• Alcoholic beverages
• Chairs of any type
• Blankets
• Tents
• Coolers
• Drones
• Backpacks or similar bags (unless necessary for medical and/or disability purposes)
Media coverage
Media interested in covering the concert should contact Darlene Bieber at 615-584-9060.
Accessibility
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all KU-sponsored events. Anyone requiring an accommodation to participate in this concert should contact the KU ADA Resource Center for Equity and Accessibility, 1456 West Campus Road, Room 103 Carruth-O'Leary, by phone at 785-864-4946, by fax at 785-864-5790, or by email by 5 p.m. on Oct. 7.
About Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer whose talents have earned him numerous awards, including three Grammys, two American Music Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), among many others. He has been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001. Paisley has written 20 of his 23 #1 hits including “He Didn’t Have to Be,” “Mud on the Tires,” “She’s Everything,” “Water” and “Remind Me,” among others. His Life Amplified World Tour 2016 has traveled across the US and Canada this summer and will continue through the fall. Paisley has partnered with Boot Barn® and developed an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts called Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley. He will return for a ninth consecutive year as co-host of the “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” with Carrie Underwood, Nov. 2, (8 to 11 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.
About Frontier Communications
Frontier Communications Corporation, a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is a leader in providing communications services to urban, suburban and rural communities in 29 states. Frontier offers a variety of services to residential customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks, including video, high-speed internet, advanced voice and Frontier Secure digital protection solutions. Frontier Business Edge offers communications solutions to small, medium and enterprise businesses. Frontier’s approximately 30,000 employees are based entirely in the United States. More information about Frontier is available at its website.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, a leading global entertainment agency.