Big Rock & Worship lineup draws big crowd

Lines for the Rock & Worship Roadshow at the Show Me Center began forming well before general-admission doors opened at 5:45 p.m. People huddled together or with blankets wrapped around their shoulders, braving the cold for a chance at tickets for the show that featured nine Christian-music entertainers.

"I grew up with the Newsboys, so, I am too excited for the show to think about the cold," Chris Crossit of Cape Girardeau said. He attended the concert as a leader with his church's youth group.

Crossit wasn't the only one there with a church group.

Clayton Carver, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, explained he was attending the concert as a leader in the Discipleship Now (D-Now) event going on in Cape Girardeau this weekend.

"The whole D-Now group is at this concert. About 500 kids from a bunch of different youth groups," Carver said.

He said he was most excited about seeing Phil Wickham.

"I think he is the most genuine-sounding artist. When he is up on stage, it is just him and his guitar. It's about the worship, not the show," Carver said.

Wickham's name popped up more than once.

"I didn't like Christian music at all," Trey Gibson said, "but he changed my mind. He can sing, and his sound is different; some of his earlier stuff almost sounds like The Killers, or Muse. I think he's doing a great job."

The opening group, Citizen Way, also had its share of fans in the crowd.

"We saw them when we lived in Wyoming, and we do a lot of their songs at our church." Kim Mullikin, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, said.

Her husband, Peter Mullikin, said they appreciate Citizen Way because "their songs really resonate with people."

The group that seemed to draw the most people, however, was the Newsboys. Elizabeth Lailer identified them as her favorite of the night.

"Their sound doesn't take you out of your comfort zone. They sound more mainstream, which I like -- they don't sound like all the other Christian music."

Lailer added she also was excited for Mandisa.

"Her music is so upbeat and happy," she said. "My mom introduced me to it. We actually got VIP tickets tonight as a birthday present for her."

Another Newsboys fan, Logan Queen, shared she was most excited to hear the song "We Believe" during the concert and said "the Newsboys' music gives people hope. It has a meaningful message."

After the doors opened, people quickly poured into the Show Me Center, filling the rows to the top of the auditorium. Before the first band took the stage, the crowd was led in prayer, making a unique start to a unique concert.

Other acts performing at the Show Me Center included Audio Adrenaline, Family Force 5, Danny Gokey and Jeremy Camp.

Citizen Way opened the show with "Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us)." People from the pit to the top seat in the stands stood clapping and singing along. The youth were as enthusiastic as the parents, with everyone quickly forgetting the long wait in the cold as they clapped, pumped fists and kept time with the music.

Pertinent address:

Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, Mo.