The Activities Programming Board (APB) presented up-and-coming country/rock artist Russell Dickerson and his band on Friday, Sept. 14 at 9 p.m. in the Ceddia Union Building’s (CUB) Red Zone. Dickerson and his band mates, bassist Kyle Reeves, electric guitarist Chris Young and drummer Phil Lawson, put on an energetic show by involving the audience in clapping and dancing along to their upbeat songs. Dickerson also strummed his guitar as he sang.

Dickerson and his band launched the show with their song called “Something Good,” followed by another song called “Good Life.” The band, originally from Tennessee, then played a popular cover of Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You,” which got the audience singing along.

Dickerson then introduced their song called “10,000 Summers” by saying since he graduated from college a year ago, it’s a good, fun summer song to listen to. The band then creatively intertwined “10,000 Summers” with popular country artist Luke Bryan song, “Drunk on You,” to familiarize the audience.

Dickerson was featured in country artist Colt Ford’s song, “All My Tomorrows,” and the band was eager to perform the song for SU next. According to a YouTube video of Ford talking about the song, he mentions how Dickerson will be a star someday because he is an “unbelievable singer.”

Dickerson and his band played their song “Love’s Gonna Find You” next, followed by popular cover song “Summer of 69” by rock artist Bryan Adams. The band wrapped up the show with songs “Once” and “That’s My Girl,” which Dickerson mentioned was available on iTunes.

Being born and raised in the South, Dickerson said, “Growing up in a small town, moving to Nashville, country music was always around. I started writing songs, and country just kind of came out.” However, Dickerson does not follow the “country” stereotype with his appearance, which may surprise some. He has more of a rock twinge going on, and he said he just does his own thing. To him, being unique is key.

Dickerson said he has been singing all throughout his life.
“My dad is a music minister, so I’ve always been in children’s choir, literally since I can remember. I’m pretty sure I came out of the womb singing,” he said.

Dickerson’s biggest musical influences are Keith Urban, Garth Brooks and Michael Jackson, and he said if he could go on tour with anyone, he would choose Urban first.

He said when he gets inspired to write new songs, he automatically stores the ideas in his phone, and he said he gets most of his ideas for songs while on the road.

Dickerson said he and his band will be on their college tour all throughout the rest of September and October, and they plan to start recording more songs around the beginning of 2013. For more information on Russell Dickerson and to get access to his songs, visit www.russelldickerson.net. He is also available on Twitter @russelled.

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