Rising Christian singer/songwriter, Dave Barnes, is scheduled to play a free concert for all ages on campus in the Student Union Ballroom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7.
According to a recent press release issued by Razor & Tie, Barnes’s record label and media publicist, the artist is currently touring for his new album, What We Want, What We Get, featuring the hit single “God Gave Me You.”
Barnes began performing while attending Middle Tennessee State University before moving to Nashville to pursue his musical career.
Recently, Barnes has gained exposure by making two guest appearances on the daytime soap opera, All My Children, where he played himself and performed his new single on the show.
The artist also opened for a sold-out show with Lady Antebellum at Manhattan’s Nokia Theatre on May 10, 2010.
Crossroads Baptist Church in Valdosta arranged Barnes’s Sept. 7 concert as a benefit. All who attend are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for Lowndes Associated Ministries to People.
“They basically partner with other organizations to help people in the city who are in poverty,” Ross Cook, youth and college pastor, said. “So that’s what we’re going to do for them. Canned goods to the concert are the ticket in.”
Cook also encourages donations of antibacterial bar soap for an Orlando based organization called Clean the World. The organization provides soap to third world countries where thousands die every day from diarrheal disease, which is preventable by keeping hands clean.
This concert is Crossroads’ second benefit, according to Cook.
Last year’s concert, a benefit for America’s Second Harvest, included performances from Tenth Avenue North and the Hank Murphy Band.
Second Harvest informed Ross that it was the largest drive of the year, so successful that it fed over 500 families a month.
As far as the musical sound students may expect to hear, Cook described Barnes as mellow acoustic, comparing his sound to other musicians, such as Matt Wertz and Jon McLaughlin. He is also known for incorporating humor in his live shows.
“He always plays the college scene and he’s great with college students,” Cook said. “He’s hilarious and it’s going to be a great show.”