The Chart Online

Mix band guaranteed to give good show
Josh Ray

Diversion Editor

An upcoming concert at Missouri Southern will be featuring one of Nelly's opening acts.

The Core Project will be putting on a rap/funk/rock show at Billingsly. The group is out of St. Louis and is currently in the process of making a major label signing. David Kenny, executive chair for the Campus Activities Board, said they are the "biggest local act" out of the city. Kenny, who played a key role in getting the group to come here, said he saw the opportunity to get them before they signed.

"It's good we got them before they blow up," he said.

He described their way of performing as a "different style of an act." After watching them play, he was impressed with them.

"It was a pretty amazing show," Kenny said.

The concert will be opened by two bands from the local music scene. The bands are Defending the Addiction and The Rich Kids, formerly known as The Gray. Kenny said he got the local bands to open because he wanted to support the local scene and give the groups a chance to perform with a "more well-known act."

Matthew Long, vocalist and guitar for The Rich Kids, said he is not nervous about playing with such a big act.

"I don't feel any pressure really," he said. "It's more of an opportunity. I'm excited."

Long said he is looking forward to the concert because it will give his band a chance to play closer to home. The group, which usually plays at coffee houses and bars, is a rock band.

Kenny said the show will surely be great if a lot of people show up.

"It'll be a pretty kick-butt night if a lot of people show up," he said. "What'll make it fun is if people show."

The event is free to everyone. People wanting to attend should start showing up at 7:30 on Friday. It will be held on the bottom floor of Billingsly Student Center.

"It's free for the kids to go out and have a good time," Kenny said. "Bring your friends."