With its theme of beer and cowboy boots, the Hudson Family Foundation Benefit Concert proved the south has the energy, numbers and enthusiasm to rise again.
As part of the Hudson Family Foundation Benefit Weekend of November 1st and 2nd, the benefit concert starred country music stars Dierks Bentley and Craig Morgan, with very special guest Easton Corbin, 2012 Alabama Idol winner, and opening performances of Blane Rudd.
The concert kicked off with Auburn's own Blane Rudd.
A Facebook contest elected Rudd's performance in which the first two days he received about 200 likes, or votes, on Facebook.
"The guy that runs the concert, the Hudson Foundation, he messaged us on Facebook and said 'you want to go ahead and we'll name you the winner instead of going through this long process." Rudd said.
He played six original songs, one cover medley and another cover.
"He was really good," said Caroline Bartley, freshman in Spanish and communications disorders major, of Rudd. "He had really good music."
Bartley said she came out to the AU Arena Friday night because "I love Dierks Bentley."
Following Rudd was Easton Corbin, who played originals "All Over the Road," "A Little More Country Than That" and "Hearts Drawn in the sand;" with covers "Put A Girl In It" (Brooks & Dunn), "Fiddle in the Band" (Alabama) and "Don't Happen Twice" (Kenney Chesney).
Miss Auburn USA Brittany Daniel and Miss Auburn Teen USA Taylor Jones were treated to VIP passes to the show through Jones' father's sponsorship Supreme Lending.
"We came to see all of them Dierks Bentley, Craig Morgan, Easton Corbin, all beautiful," Jones said. "Especially Easton Corbin."
Craig Morgan appeared third jumping to center stage from the crowd. He sang his songs "Farmers Daughter," "Hush," "What I Love About Sundays," "Almost Home," "More Trucks than Cars" and "This Ain't Nothin';" covered "Rock and Roll Fantasy" (Bad Company)
Katie Johnson, animal science, knew for a few months she wanted to come to the Dierks Bentley Concert.
"For my birthday, here at Auburn, to come to the Dierks Bentley concert and my dad came to visit me and paid for my tickets," Johnson said.
Bentley, who had performed on the CMA awards Thursday, the night before, headlined with a band including a guitar, fiddle, drums, base, banjo and keyboard. The set list included "Feel that Fire," "Am I The Only One," "Lot of Leavin' Left to Do," "5150," "Takin' Easy Down the Road I Go," "How am I Doin'," "Sideways," "Home" and encored with "What Was I Thinkin'."
Sarah Mather, masters student in communication, got her ticket as soon as they went on sale.
"I just knew about the concert and I like Dierks Bentley and I knew that Tim Hudson had his foundation" Mather said.
Emma Wilcher, freshman in history, came to the concert because she just really likes country music and had never seen Dierks Bentley perform before.
"It was the best concert I have ever been to in my entire life," Wilcher said. "He performed very, very well. It was perfect."
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