Bash gets Eli Young Band to co-headline

October 23, 2012

By NATHAN GREGORY
citybeat@starkvilledailynews.com

Country music act Eli Young Band was selected to replace Neon Trees as co-headliners of the Mississippi State University Student Association-sponsored Bulldog Bash on Nov. 2.

The two other headliners for Mississippi’s largest free outdoor concert are pop singer/songwriter Andy Grammar and country group Gloriana.

According to an MSU SA release, Eli Young Band’s most recent record Life At Best features Billboard Top 100 hits “Crazy Girl” and “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”

The Country Music Association nominated the Texas-based quartet for “Song of the Year” and “Vocal Group of the Year.”

Neon Trees reneged on its scheduled performance at Bulldog Bash and all other dates on its fall college town tour due to “unforeseen personal circumstances,” according to a release issued last Thursday.

Local group Surviving Allison, which won a competition against three other bands during the Plazapalooza event last Thursday, will be the opening act for the three headliners. Other bands that competed were The Beats, Jarnigan Gypsies and The Unoriginals.

Jackson-based rock group The Weeks served as the judge for the battle-of-the-bands competition and played a set afterward.

SA President Shelby Balius said she is pleased to have Eli Young Band agree perform on short notice.

“We were a little surprised by our ability to do so. They are coming from the (Country Music Awards), which happen earlier that week, and happened to be available,” Balius said. “We were able to cut costs with production to make it work with budget we received over summer and with sponsorships from local businesses. It was a blessing in disguise, I think.”