Eric Church. Photo: Jill Trunell
Eric Church will headline a new event called Carolina Kickoff at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina, on August 20. It will be Church’s only 2016 performance in his home state of North Carolina. At least two other artists will be added to the bill, according to local station WNCT.
“We look forward to this great concert with tremendous anticipation, bringing Eric Church to Greenville and fans all across eastern North Carolina. With its 50,000-seat capacity, Dowdy-Ficklen stadium is an ideal entertainment venue for top-tier musical artists. Fans have wanted this for years and we’re hopeful this is the first of many opportunities we have to bring such talent for everyone to enjoy in our city and region,” said Allen Thomas, Mayor, City of Greenville.
The festival was announced Thursday (May 5) by the East Carolina University Department of Athletics and made possible through their partnership with IMG and Basis Entertainment.
Iowa-based Basis Entertainment executive Gary DeWaard said he sees great potential for such an event for the university as well as area residents.
“We here at Basis Entertainment are thrilled and honored to be working with a fine institution like East Carolina University for the Carolina Kickoff,” DeWaard said. “We can’t wait to bring Eric Church and a host of other fantastic musical artists to the Pirate faithful and help kickoff what I am sure is going to be a memorable 2016 football season.”
Tickets for the event will go on sale May 17 to ECU students and football season ticket holders before being available to the general public on May 24. Other performing acts and ticket prices will be announced in the coming weeks.
”Our entire hospitality community is excited that East Carolina is bringing such a high profile artist to Greenville and Pitt County. These high-caliber events not only create a positive economic impact locally, but help to solidify the city of Greenville as a top destination within our state,” said Andrew Schmidt, CHME, MPA Executive Director Greenville-Pitt County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We are excited to welcome Eric Church to our stadium for this unique event,” East Carolina Athletics Director Jeff Compher said. “Born in North Carolina, he titled his sophomore album Carolina in 2009. The Carolina Kickoff is a homecoming of sorts for this talented artist. It is with great enthusiasm that we look forward to having him in Greenville and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, especially to precede our season opener.”
