associate director of the Nebraskan Student Union, 308.865.8523
On Thursday, April 26, country musicians Chris Cagle and Julie Roberts will perform on the UNK campus with Roberts opening at 7 p.m.
The first headlining concert to be held at UNK in five years, the event is sponsored by the Loper Programming and Activities Council (LPAC), and members of the organization hint that more big concerts could be sponsored in the coming years.
Katie Kugler, a senior from Casper, Wyo. who serves as the LPAC mainstage chair, said that LPAC is currently evaluating whether it can bring in a “big name” performer annually or biennially.
LPAC President Stacey Jegel, a junior from Topeka, Kan., said the spring concert was integrated into the organization’s budget, and the biggest obstacles to getting popular performers were timing and cost restrictions.
Jami Schaffnitt, UNK Student Activities officer, agreed that scheduling and costs of booking acts are the greatest challenges.
“We want to bring in a big name person that will draw in a crowd, so we hope to do it next year, but it kind of depends on who is available and scheduling,” Schaffnitt said.
Cagle and Roberts were selected after LPAC members formulated a list of bands to hire for the concert. Other artists considered included Rascal Flats, Hinder, The Fray and Josh Gracin.
“When we first started, we just jotted down ideas making a list of known bands to come in,” Jegel said. “For a genre, we picked country, because we thought it would work best for the community and for the students.”
Tim Danube, associate director of the Nebraskan Student Union, said that Kenny Chesney’s 1999 concert at UNK attracted more than 3,000 people, so they are hoping for at least that many in attendance at the Cagle/Roberts concert. “Chris Cagle has a lot of name recognition. He’s very popular,” Danube said. “We’ve already been getting calls from his fan club.” Jegel said she is a Cagle fan and has been him perform.
“I saw him one year at Country Stampede in Manhattan, Kan., and it was really awesome,” Jegel said. “The energy he brings is personal. He is very exciting.” Danube said that tickets are already being sold to Cagle fans in Colorado, Missouri, Nevada and Wisconsin. Further, he said approximately 100 student tickets were sold during the first 36 hours of ticket sales.
Jegel said those who are apprehensive about large crowds do not have to fret. She said the seating arrangement will not impede anyone’s concert experience.
“We’re going to try to get the most people in there as possible, but we want [the seating to be spaced] where everyone will be able to see and it’s not crowded at the same time. So, it’s going to be a comfortable seating,” Jegel said. Student tickets are $7 in advance or $15 at the door, and can be purchased at the Nebraskan Student Union.
Ticket prices for the general public are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, and are available at Hastings Bookstore in Kearney and Grand Island, J.R.’s Western and Coral West Ranchwear in North Platte.
Kugler said that even with the proceeds of ticket sales, LPAC will not profit financially from the concert, because that is not the organization’s mission.
“We focus on bringing entertainment to the students rather than making money off of it,” Kugler said.
Cagle’s hits include “My Love Goes On and On,” “Laredo,” “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out,” “Chicks Dig It,” “What a Beautiful Day” and “Miss Me Baby.” Roberts recently released her sophomore album, “Men & Mascara,” which features the singles “Girl Next Door” and “Men & Mascara.”
