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Friday, Nov. 18, 2005 Page 7 Country singer to bring twangy hits to Blatt BE. field at Tiger Burn Devon Ulceh FOR THE GAMECOCK Dierks Bentley brings his red hot country music to stoke the fire at tonights Tiger Burn. Along with openers Cross Canadian Ragweed, the “High Times and Hangovers Tour” " stops at the Blatt P.E. Field to play a show opened to all members of the Carolina family. Bentley is touring in support of his most recent album, “Modern Day Drifter.” Released through Capitol Records in May 2005, the album illustrates Bendey’s improvement in his songwriting and singing. The first single, “Lot of Learning to Do,” is an upbeat bluegrass jam with steel guitars and lots of twang. The bluesy “Domestic, Light and Cold” is a fun song about Bendey’s ^ preference for beer over liquor. “Come a Litde Closer” is an acoustic love song that has gained more and more popularity on the country music charts. Just last week, the song was fifth on the Country Music Television Top-20 Video Countdown, beating out Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney and Big & Rich. According to his Web site, Bentley’s success finally came after a few frustrating years of finding his own sound in the country scene. He picked up the guitar as a teenager in his P hometown Phoenix, Ariz., where he dabbled in ‘80s rock. His whole musical outlook was altered when a friend played Hank Williams Jr.’s “Man to Man.” Bendey said he fell in love with country music and moved to Nashville, Tenn. He concentrated on his technique and style, refining his country sound and studying past country artists. Finally, he landed a gig at Stadon Inn, Nashville’s famous bluegrass bar known for hosting some of country’s greatest. Bendey produced his first full length album, “Don’t Leave Me In Love,” in 2001, and signed » with Capitol Records in time for ^ his self-dded 2003 release. In the first year of signing to Capitol Records, Bentley watched the scenery outside of his tour bus change through 300 cities. He played countless festivals, bars and colleges, gaining fans everywhere. Recendy, Bendey has achieved many great accomplishments as a country artist such as opening for Toby Keith and George Strait in front of 20,000 people. Bentley has been nominated for the Country Music Awards’ Horizon Award in 2004 and 2005, and claimed the honor this year. He has also appeared on the “Today Show” with one of his biggest fans, Katie Couric. His success has not gone to his head. In the same night that he opened for George Strait, Bendey and crew drove to the University of Mississippi to play at a frat party. Surprisingly, Bentley’s favorite shows to play are for smaller rock venues packed with fans. The High Times and Hangovers Tour now brings Bentley to Carolina, one of many dates scheduled for colleges and universities in the South — including Clemson. Bendey and the rest of the Carolina family will appear at the Tiger Burn tonight at the Blatt EE. Field. Gates open at 4 p.m., and festivities begin at 5 p.m. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc.edu Special to THE GAMECOCK Dierks Bentley won the “Horizon Award” at the 2005 CMAs and is scheduled to perform tonight at USC’s annual Tiger Burn. Students: ‘We want Clemson!’ After victory last week, USCfaithful ready for rivalry game at Williams-Brice on Saturday Kristen Truesdale | FOR THE GAMECOCK “Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!” As victory loomed for the Gamecocks on Saturday, fans threw down their banners, forgot for just one moment about balancing on the shaky bleachers and mocked the Florida Gators. Minutes later, as the crowd inched out of Williams-Brice Stadium, a different chant grew louder and more threatening. “We want Clemson! We want Clemson!” On Saturday, they will get Clemson. “All Gamecocks are going crazy right now,” said Tommy Preston, Student Government treasurer and third-year political science student. “Students aren’t paying attention in class. Professors are substituting lectures for discussions of who will win the game. Giving blood is the cool thing to do. And God help anyone who wears orange this week.” Preston, who describes himself as a Clemson fan by / A birth and a Gamecock fan by choice, grew up hearing derogatory comments about the Gamecocks. “It would mean so much to me,” Preston said, “to call my dad and say, ‘What about those Gamecocks?’” Because the Gamecocks have had a good season, students are genuinely optimistic about beating Clemson. To feed their enthusiasm, fans don’t mind going overboard on one important aspect of this game: celebrating it. I, “I think it is so awesome Carolina Productions got Dierks Bentley to come to the Tiger Burn,” said Kendra Mill, a second-year broadcast journalism student. “It was so weird because I just watched him last night on the CMA’s. My roommate and ' I said, 'How awesome is it that he’s coming here!’ I know it will be a big turnout.” Carolina Productions, which organizes Tiger Burn, put more effort into this year’s dcmsan • 8 Special to THE GAMECOCK Sir Elton John performed at the Colonial Center on Wednesday night, performing new songs and hits from his 30-year career. ‘Rocket Man’ propels piano Sir Elton John delights Columbia fans with hits, new materialfrom ‘Peachtree Road’ Elton John Nov. 16, 2005 Peachtree Road Tour ★★★★★ out of ☆☆☆☆☆ Brindy Mair THE GAMECOCK The Colonial Center was home to thousands of “tiny dancers” Wednesday night as Sir Elton John brought his “Peachtree Road Tour” to Columbia. Fans ages 8 to 80 gathered to watch the flamboyant piano man take the stage and deliver a performance that had been postponed eight months. John did not disappoint. The stage was set with a black drape, which provided the backdrop for the Lite Brite-like digital light show. Yet the dazzling lights, five man band and eight backup singers couldn’t detract from John, clad in a rose embroidered , coat-and-tails - and his piano. His performance was enhanced even more so by a keyboard cam. The audience was afforded an opportunity to watch the master at work, which was much like watching Michelangelo sculpt. John’s mastery of the keys was astonishing. Without any opening remarks, the Elton John Band and backup singers took their places, and John opened with “Weight of the World,” the first song on his “Peachtree Road” album. John explained after the opening song that he would provide the audience with a teaser of “Peachtree Road” and “then we’ll get to the stuff you know.” He gave a brief description of the album, recorded in Atlanta in March 2004, calling it a compilation of “Southern-type songs.” ELTOn • 8' Special to THE GAM ECOCK Jennifer Aniston, left, and Clive Owen star in “Derailed.” Aniston, Owen keep ‘Derailed’ on track Derailed ★★★★ out of ☆☆☆☆☆ Marjorie Riddle FOR THE GAMECOCK “Derailed” reinforces the lesson learned in other adulterous-themed films — don’t cheat on your spouse because it never ends well. Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston star in the dramatic thriller with a twist most viewers won’t see coming. Owen stars as Charles i Schine, an advertising executive bored with his stale marriage and frustrated with his ill, diabetic daughter. He meets Aniston’s intelligent and sexy Lucinda Harris on the morning train commute. Lucinda pays Schine’s train fare when he has no cash, and the two begin a light flirtation. Flirtation becomes long lunches, which turn into the hunt for an inconspicuous DERAILED' • 8 *