One week from tonight, country duo Montgomery Gentry will perform at Western’s E.A. Diddle Arena.

In this week’s “View from the Hill”, Amy Bingham explains the special connection that got this fundraising concert off the ground.

It was a busy summer for a core group of AOIIs and Kappa Alphas who have worked diligently to pull off next week’s Montgomery Gentry concert. 

It all started with an idea and a student’s strong family tie to the band.

You’ve probably heard the ads…Kentucky born duo Montgomery Gentry will bring their hit “My Town” and a host of others to Bowling Green in just one week.
 
“It’s very generous of Montgomery Gentry to do this.”

WKU Senior Casey Brummett is from Danville Kentucky...Eddie Montgomery’s hometown.  He’s also friends with Eddie’s daughter Candace who is now a sophomore at WKU.
 
“I’ve known Candace for a long time, grown up with her..I’ve known her father….Montgomery Gentry is a huge band in Kentucky..especially being from my hometown and Troy is from Lexington.”

Over a year ago, Casey came up with the idea and approached Candace about Montgomery Gentry doing a fundraising concert for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha and her sorority, AOII.
 
“It took some time, Montgomery Gentry has a really busy schedule, they tour every year, they’re always busy but we made contact and kept working out details, now we are a week away.”

AOII President Katie Carpenter says they are hoping for a sellout which would mean seventy thousand dollars to be split between  the Arthritis Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
 
“It means a lot to us and to the KA’s to be able to raise a good amount of money to give to our philanthropies and help children with arthritis and people with m-d.

Brummet adds that community support for the concert has been phenomenal.  Tickets are still available for the Montgomery Gentry concert next Thursday, September 17th.  For information call 1-800-5-BIG RED.

With this week’s View from the Hill, I’m Amy Bingham.