Southeast group brings rock act to Show Me Center

For the first time in five years, students at Southeast Missouri State University will get a concert from a major-label act they asked for.

Not all of the university's 10,000-plus students will be excited about the Nov. 15 concert by rock band Daughtry, announced by the Show Me Center this morning. College students are notorious in their affinity for indie rock, not the kind of major-label, commercial rock former "American Idol" contestant Chris Daughtry's band specializes in.

But Daughtry -- who made a name for himself as a rock 'n' roll specialist on the 2006 season of "American Idol" -- will perform in Cape Girardeau in a concert presented by the university's Student Activities Council, a body that creates and sponsors activities for students outside the classroom.

According to SAC president Amy Forbeck, Daughtry was the overwhelming favorite for the first SAC-presented Show Me Center concert since Smashmouth performed in April 2002.

"We got a lot of feedback from other students saying there's more than people who like country here, people who like rock 'n' roll and alternative," Forbeck said. "So it was like, OK, the concert we're going to bring in is not country."

The organization took an informal poll, Forbeck said, and the band Daughtry kept popping up.

Forbeck said SAC has been trying to bring in a concert for students for several years, but things just didn't work out. Bringing in this concert was a personal goal for her as president, she said.

Show Me Center marketing director Shannon Buford said the venue tries to bring in a concert for students every year, but it just hasn't worked out recently. However, Buford said Daughtry's broad appeal should go beyond just students.

Daughtry's album, released last year by Sony BMG, peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard album charts and has been certified triple platinum.

The band was recently nominated for three American Music Awards.

Ticket sales for the public start at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

A presale for students only begins Monday, with the first 300 tickets available for $10, only at the Show Me Center ticket office.

For tickets, call 651-5000 or visit www.showmecenter.biz.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182