unique performance
Brian Hawkins/SDN side, members of the Starkville-based grassroots country band Nash Street — from left, Clay Lezon on guitar, Caroline Melby on mandolin, Hannah Melby on fiddle and Daniel Hare on bass — do a sound check before running through their planned halftime performance with 330-member Famous Maroon Band set for Saturday’s Mississippi State-Jackson State football game at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
Mississippi State and Jackson State football fans alike will be in a for a musical extravaganza during halftime festivities for Saturday’s football game between the Bulldogs and the Tigers.
Both MSU’s Famous Maroon Band and JSU’s Sonic Boom of the South will be performing at halftime at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
The 330-member Maroon Band’s halftime show will feature a special performance by Nash Street, the four-member band from Starkville that won the 2008 Colgate Country Showdown in Nashville. Nash Street will join the Maroon Band for a medley of their “grassroots country” songs.
“This is a rare opportunity for our fans,” said Maroon Band director Elva Kaye Lance.
“We are proud of Nash Street and know it will bring a lot to the halftime show and give our fans and the visiting Jackson State fans a great musical experience.”
Nash Street’s members include fiddler Hannah Melby, guitarist Clay Lezon, mandolinist Caroline Melby and bassist Daniel Hare.
Hannah Melby and Lezon are recent MSU graduates, while Caroline Melby and Hare are both current students.
All four members of the band have been MSU fans since they were children.
“Our parents introduced us to all the rich traditions of the SEC while we wore our little MSU jerseys or cheerleading outfits,” said Hannah Melby. “It’s something that’s deeply rooted within each of us... Mississippi State football is part of our heritage!”
When approached about performing with the Maroon Band, the members of Nash Street didn’t have to think twice.
“When the university’s band director came to us and asked if we would play the show, there was no hesitation. I mean after all, this is our home turf.” said Hare.
Hannah Melby agrees.
“It’s going to be a breathtaking experience to be able to stand out on the field and play for the fans who have supported us and our MSU Bulldogs for years. I can’t think of a better way to spend Labor Day weekend,” she said.
Fans at Saturday’s game will also enjoy the 300-member Sonic Boom’s performance, Lance said. While the Maroon Band is traditional marching unit, the Sonic Boom is what is described as a show band, Lance said.
“Their style incorporates a lot of dance moves and it is definitely a treat to have them perform,” Lance said. “Any time another school’s full band performs at halftime, the atmosphere is revved up, and we are happy to welcome them.”
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 2:30 p.m. The game is being televised on the ESPNU network.
For more information about the Famous Maroon Band, visit the band’s Web site at http://www.msstate.edu/org/band.
For more information about Nash Street, visit the Web site at http://www.nashstreet.com.
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