Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013
University of Arkansas Student-Run Newspaper Since 1906
Alex March Staff Writer
It will be a down-home weekend
Vol. 107, No. 78
Also playing this weekend,
in Fayetteville, with Lucero and Eli Young Band, two successful country acts. Lucero has been coming to Fayetteville since the band started over twelve years ago, and their two-night stand will feature two talented Arkansas musicians. Nonmusical events include comedian David Nickerson at UARK Bowl and a poetry/singing/comedy slam at Matt Miller Studios. The Memphis-based alt-country band Lucero will be at George’s Majestic Lounge Friday night and Saturday night. Tickets are $20 for each night if you pay in person at George’s in
advance. The lead singer, Ben Nichols, was raised in Little Rock, and his lyrics contain many scenes familiar to Arkansans. Nichols’s brother, Jeff, is the award-winning director of “Take Shelter” and “Shotgun Stories.” The storytelling ability runs in the family. Many of Lucero’s songs evoke those country songs where you instantly find yourself in the back of a smoky bar, alone and desperate. Lucero has steadily cranked out albums over the past 12 years. In 2012, the band released “Women & Work” to critical acclaim. Their earlier releases, 2001’s self-titled debut, and 2002’s “Tennessee”, are where Nichols’s gravely voice comes across as the most genuine. “My Best
Thursday night at the Fayetteville Town Center
Girl” and “Drink ‘Til We’re Gone” remain some of the band’s biggest hits. Nichols sounds like an Arkansas-flavored Kurt Cobain in the earlier recordings. The 2011 album “Nobody’s Darling” showcases the band’s harder side. “Anjalee” and “California” break with the country aesthetic in favor of a harder sound. All their albums, regardless of when they were released, are the product of a hardworking band that is invested in the music they play. Friday night, Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-state Coalition will open. Out of Oxford, Mississippi, Mathus and the Coalition play a self-described roots rock that is worthy of headlining George’s on its own. The band recently released “White Buffalo”, and Mathus has put out two solo albums. Saturday night, fellow Little Rock native Adam Faucett will be opening for Ben Nichols. Faucett plays softer, more acoustic music than Lucero, so the contrast could be interesting. Faucett and Nichols are two of the most talented Arkansans in music. see LUCERO page 5
Courtesy Photo Ben Nichols lead singer of Lucero
Layout design by Sarah Colpitts Lead Designer
National Signing Day Difficulties for Collins
Cameron McCauley Staff Writer
In a highly anticipated day for many recruits, one prospective Arkansas commit was confronted with family drama on a national stage. In a story that developed throughout the day, five-star running back recruit Alex Collins did not sign a letter of intent with Arkansas, the school he committed to Monday night over Miami and others. At approximately 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, it was reported that Collins failed to show up for his signing ceremony.
“At this time there’s no indication of anything other than the original plan. The family just wants more time,” said Mike Collins, South Plantation High School Athletic Director, to the Miami Sun-Sentinel. Collins’ mother reportedly confiscated her son’s signing papers, preventing him from participating in his signing ceremony, according to ESPN. Collins, the top running back prospect in the country, according to 247sports.com, chose Arkansas only moments before going on TV Monday night. Wednesday around noon, Yahoo! college football columnist Dan Wetzel tweeted that he had a source on the
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“Collins/Mom situation,” and that it will still eventually be Arkansas Collins chooses, despite the dilemma. In his National Signing Day press conference Wednesday afternoon, head coach Bret Bielema wasn’t allowed to discuss unsigned recruits, but he did have a comment on the situation. “The thing that’s neat about the signing period is this, it’s a day where you have to adjust and adapt. Good coaches I think are prepared for different scenarios, so regardless of what happens you can be assured we’ve always probably been ahead of the game a little bit,” said Bielema. National Signing Day is not the last
“At this time there’s no indication of anything other than the original plan. The family just wants more time.”
Mike Collins
South Plantation high school athletic director day a recruit can sign his National Letter of Intent. As of the Traveler’s press time Wednesday, Collins remained unsigned.
Walton Arts Center Event Raises Money to Bring Arts to Children Funds will support all Walton Learning Programs, said Catherine Wilson, corporate development manager at the WAC. Full Story, Page 3
Courtesy Photo
Today’s Forecast
63 / 45° Tomorrow
Chance of Thunderstorms
61 /32°