Kent State is at the pinnacle of bringing students the hottest artists at the top of the music scene.

And when I think of today’s hottest acts, there is one name that is definitely at the top of the list: Sheryl Crow. And if you look down the list a little, you will see O.A.R. and Los Lonely Boys floating right around there as well.

Not.

What the hell, Kent State? I hear the Beach Boys are touring; why didn’t you try to get them? They are about as relevant as the acts chosen for the Centennial Campaign concert.

I mean, come on now, people. O.A.R. has one good song, literally. That’s not bullshit. “Shattered” is the only song worth listening to – or should I say tolerable – from them. They are like a worse version of The Fray. I know, that really sucks.

Los Lonely Boys, on the other hand, while they may not have many recognizable songs, are actually pretty cool. I only really knew that “Heaven” song by them, and then I listened to more of them to write this column, and I realized that these guys are actually some real musicians.

The band, originally from Texas, consists of three brothers, Henry, Jojo and Ringo Garza. They have the smooth guitar licks of Carlos Santana or Stevie Ray Vaughn, and they just put you in a chill mood. Their video for the song “Diamonds” is one of the greatest things that you will ever see. Something about it just makes me crack up. Watch it, and then you’ll know what I mean.

But these guys just seem to love what they do, and they are good at it, so you will never hear a bad thing about them from me. They seem to be the only redeeming quality of Saturday’s concert.

Sheryl Crow has some hits – a handful, to be exact. But that doesn’t mean that she has any more right to headline a show here than REO Speedwagon does. (Who? My point exactly.) She may be the queen of jive summer singles, but when was the last time you were thinking, “You know what? I’d really like to see Sheryl Crow. Don’t say that, I’m sure she’s still great. No, I don’t think all her songs sound alike at all.”

And the only reason anyone really gave a damn about her for a while was because she was engaged to Lance Armstrong.

I don’t know why I’m getting so bitter about Sheryl Crow. I actually like some of her music. She is 50 and still out on the road rocking, so good for her.

If you are going to the concert, then heed my advice: get right ripped. I bet most of you are already planning on doing so anyway. Not only will you be in higher spirits, but you might actually also like the sounds coming from the stage.