NWC to host concert by Matt Wertz and Dave Barnes
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Tickets for the concert, sponsored by Northwestern’s Student Activities Council, are $10 for persons with a
For more information, call the student activities office at 712-707-7295, e-mail concerts@nwciowa.edu or view the concert website.
Wertz, a 27-year-old
“This record stems from relationships and heartbreak, but ultimately I’m grateful for everything that happened, because I learned who I am through the process of making the recording,” says Wertz.
Known for his impassioned, breathy vocals and engaging live performances, Wertz says he wants concert-goers to walk away feeling like they have a new best friend. “I want people to feel they are not alone in the situation they’re in and that one of my songs connected with them in a way that encourages them. I want them to have fun, be refreshed and feel entertained, and I hope I presented myself in a way that was true to who I am.”
Concert co-headliner Dave Barnes is a Nashville-based artist known for delivering song after soulful song of meaningful poetry—a steady diet of confessions, observations and revelations that have struck a chord with audiences across the country. His latest effort is “Chasing Mississippi,” an 11-song collection Barnes describes as an ode to his musical influences, which include Motown, Journey and Bonnie Raitt.
A pastor’s kid who grew up in
For Barnes, being a songwriter is not just a license to explore the world, it’s a means to connect with others. “To me, it really is about the songs and making sure that people can relate and take them home. I want for the songs to become a part of people’s lives,” he says.
Special guest the Gabe Dixon Band is a trio featuring its namesake on keyboards and vocals, Winston Harrison on bass, and Jano Rix on drums. The band received acclaim three years ago for its first release, “On a Rolling Ball,” and has recently released a six-song EP, “Live at World Café.” Gabe Dixon has played keyboards for Paul McCartney, Alison Krauss and Loggins & Messina and co-written songs with Grammy Award-winner Wayne Kirkpatrick and Grammy nominee Dan Wilson.