Marshall University: Herd Fest Press Conference

Free concert highlights HerdFest 2010 on Thursday, Sept. 9
Multi-platinum artists Little Texas and West Virginia favorite
Davisson Brothers Band to perform

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A pair of rockin' country music bands, numerous vendors and thousands of football fans from across the state will converge on downtown Huntington on Thursday, Sept. 9, to celebrate HerdFest 2010, a concert and street festival preceding the Marshall-West Virginia University football game.

Marshall University and the MU Alumni Association are presenting HerdFest 2010, which is sponsored by Frontier Communications, Cabell Huntington Hospital, Marshall's Student Activities Programming Board, 93.7 "The DAWG," WOWK-TV, the Cabell Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau and Community Trust Bank.

HerdFest begins with a street fair at 5 p.m. on 3rd Avenue in front of Pullman Square. Music will be provided by "The DAWG."

A free concert, featuring country, southern rock, and bluegrass fusion band, the Davisson Brothers Band, and multi-platinum-selling national recording artists, Little Texas, will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Davisson Brothers perform at 6:30 p.m., with Little Texas taking the stage at about 8:30 p.m. Dignitaries, including Gov. Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin, as well as Marshall University coaches and officials, have been invited to speak to the crowd between musical performances. Marshall's cheerleaders and Marco will be on hand as well.

"We are really excited about HerdFest 2010 and we're expecting a great crowd of Marshall and WVU fans to come together and enjoy this free concert and the street fair, just as they did three years ago," said Tish Littlehales, Marshall's director of alumni relations. "The high-energy concert with Little Texas and the Davisson Brothers Band will just add to the excitement that is building for this year's Friends of Coal Bowl."
The game between the Thundering Herd and the Mountaineers kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Littlehales also is encouraging fans and supporters from both schools to attend the Friends of Coal Game Day Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10 at the Marshall University Foundation Hall, Home of the Erickson Alumni Center.

Former Marshall Coach Bobby Pruett and former WVU Coach Don Nehlen will be featured speakers. Cost is $25. More information is available and tickets may be purchased by calling the Marshall alumni office at 304-696-2901.

Littlehales said proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Marshall University Foundation and the Marshall University Alumni Association with a scholarship.

"Like the concert, the Friends of Coal Game Day Luncheon is open to everyone, no matter if they root for WVU or Marshall," she said. "It will be another opportunity for everyone to celebrate the Friends of Coal Bowl as the countdown to kickoff approaches."
The Davisson Brothers Band hails from Clarksburg, W.Va. Founded in the mid-1990s, the group has a unique style which infuses a remarkable blend of country, southern rock, and bluegrass to create a distinctive sound that was captured in their first single, "Big City Hillbilly."

This sound, combined with the band's talent and energy, has gained a loyal fan base all over the Eastern United States. Brothers Chris and Donnie Davisson and cousin Sammy Davisson, along with childhood friend Aaron Regester, are continuing musical pursuits started by the Davisson family long ago.

Little Texas is well known for its No. 1 singles "What Might Have Been," "God Blessed Texas" and "My Love."

Little Texas' first radio release, "Some Guys Have All The Love," became a top-10 hit, as did its next single, "First Time For Everything." After the album, "First Time For Everything," was released, five singles reached the top of the charts.

The second album, "Big Time," sold more than three million copies. It included the three number one singles and led to the group's first Country Music Television (CMT) Award, a Billboard award, a Radio & Records award and a Grammy nod.
NOTE: The HerdFest 2010 logo is available for use by the media at
www.marshall.ed....
Also, any media wanting to interview members of the Davisson Brothers Band or Little Texas may contact Bill Heaberlin with MPE Entertainment for contact information. Heaberlin's number is 304-697-4222.