Sept. 3, 2008
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Four nights before she’s set to join a lineup of fellow country music stars performing at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, American Idol alum and BNA Records artist Kellie Pickler will pay tribute to her American roots by singing the national anthem before the Vanderbilt Commodores’ home opener Thursday against the No. 24-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks.
Pickler will perform the anthem 15 minutes before the Commodores and Gamecocks kick off at 7:36 p.m., in Vanderbilt Stadium. Both teams are undefeated after season-opening wins last Thursday.
A limited amount of tickets remain for the Vanderbilt-South Carolina opener, which will be played in front of a national ESPN television audience. Tickets are $42 each.
Pickler, born Kellie Dawn Pickler in a small North Carolina town, is the epitome of an American success story. Sparked by national appeal from the popular American Idol series, Pickler has embarked on a successful early country music career. Her debut album, Small Town Girl, quickly hit gold and produced three singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. Her self-titled sophomore album, which will be released Sept. 30, includes Pickler’s fourth hit single, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.”
Vanderbilt Student Athletics officials are delighted that Pickler will help the Commodores kickoff their 2008 home schedule.
“We’re really excited to have Kellie Pickler sing the national anthem and enjoy the game,” Director of Marketing Reggie Garrett said. “It will be a great way for us to kick off our first home game.”
Pickler is also scheduled to perform on ABC’s “CMA Music Festival, Country’s Night to Rock” special on Sept. 8. She co-hosts with Taylor Swift and Julianne Hough on the special which airs from 8-10 p.m.
TICKET AVAILABILITY: The Vanderbilt Athletics Ticket Box Office in McGugin Athletics Center will be open until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, and re-open Thursday at 8:30 a.m. The newly built box office at Vanderbilt Stadium fronting Jess Neely Drive will open at 5:30 p.m., on Thursday.
GAMEDAY ACTIVITIES: Vandyville, the popular tailgate and kids activities area located on Natchez Trace and at the adjoining John Rich Practice Facility, opens at 4:30 p.m., Thursday. Stadium gates open at 5:30 p.m.
ROAD CLOSURES NEAR STADIUM: Road closures begin Wednesday morning around Vanderbilt Stadium. One block of Natchez Trace, between Jess Neely Drive and Kensington Place, is expected to close to traffic by noon Wednesday. Traffic officials will close Natchez Trace from Children’s Way to Kensington Place at 2:15 p.m., Thursday. Jess Neely Drive will close at 3 p.m., Thursday.
