Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

One Wild Rooftop Concert
Nicki Busdieker, Corner Post Staff

Feb. 12, 2004 - The Hearnes Center was the site of a rowdy intense rooftop concert Thursday evening when Cletus T. Judd, Brian McComas, and Rascal Flatts came to town.

Country comedian Cletus T. Judd kicked off the evening, singing his own renditions of popular country songs. Judd bashed the Dixie Chicks with "The Chicks Did It" and got the fans riled up by talking about Natalie's "FUTK" shirt, but he was merely setting the stage for the rest of the evening.

Next, up-and-coming star Brian McComas took the stage. This country boy raised in the Ozark Mountains had amazing energy and filled the arena with an incredible country voice. His number one hit "99% Sure" echoed throughout the crowd.

"It feels like home," McComas told the crowd.

McComas also sang the late Keith Whitley's hit "When You Say Nothing At All." He wasn't Allison Kraus, but the amazing energy radiated throughout the crowed as they sang along.

Then the rooftop concert got even more heated. Girls yelled and screamed as Joe Don Rooney, Jay DeMarcus and Gary Levox made their entrance. The stage was set up to resemble a rooftop, with an elevator, brick walls and girls dancing. When the boys of Rascal Flatts appeared on the elevator, the crowd got really wound up. From streamers that shot out of the top of the stage, to the boys singing and playing on top of the elevator, the show had it all. DeMarcus brought a little comedy to the stage by picking on Rooney for his infamous "bare" spot in the "I Melt" video. All the girls in attendance went wild.

Rascal Flatts sang all their popular songs like "I Melt," "Mayberry," and "Prayin' for Daylight." They also sang some of their Nashville brand of music and some rock classics. The concert ended and the boys stepped back into the elevator, but as the crowd walked out you could hear fans still singing.

"The concert was amazing. Rascal Flatts showed intensity and energy," said sophomore Animal Science major Daniel Mallory. "Our seats weren't the greatest, but it still felt like we were right on the rooftop with them."

The concert was incredible. As the show rolled out of town, it was evident that the wild rooftop concert had left its mark on Columbia.

Back to archive