Alternative band inspires, entertains

Chasing Elvis performed a music concert, sponsored by the Dive, in the Kiva at 4 p.m. yesterday. The band played cover songs such as KT Tunstall ‘s “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree” as well as some of their own pop-alternative music. KATIE ROUPE | DAILY KE

Credit: Steve Schirra

Lying to his friends about seeing Jaws when he was eight and talking to God for the first time were some of the experiences Chasing Elvis lead singer Jimmy Fauntleroy shared at a concert yesterday.

The Dive sponsored the concert at 4 p.m. in the Kiva as a kickoff for the school year.

“Having concerts is just a way to personally communicate with students through music,” Dive staff member Jerusha Karraker said.

Chasing Elvis sang original songs inspired by the experiences of Fauntleroy. He also shared his stories and experiences with the audience between songs.

“A lot of his songs come from his stories which are written about him and his encounters with God,” keyboard player Arlee Brandt said, “or sometimes little old ladies from Baltimore.”

Fauntleroy’s openness gave the show meaning for audience member and Kent State 2001 grad Michelle Athene Moore.

“I’m really just a lover of music, but I enjoyed it,” Moore said. “I like how some of it was inspirational, and I liked some of the messages. My favorite part was that the singer shared his stories and told about himself. I love learning about people. I like it when the artists can share about themselves.”

The Dive chose the band because it came out of one of the Campus Crusade for Christ ministries, which also sponsors the Dive, said Eric Rovtar, Dive publicity director and senior computer science major. Keynote, the Chasing Elvis’s label, puts college musicians together to form bands, he said.

In addition to its own songs, the band covered songs by artists Jack Johnson, New Bohemians and KT Tunstall.

“I thought it was cool. I liked the type of music it was, and I liked that they mixed songs they wrote with songs from famous people,” senior art education major Holly Vandersommers said.

The Dive is a very easy way to explore Christianity in a laid-back way, Rovtar said. It’s a great community, a way to make friends and answer a lot of questions about Christianity.

“It’s just free music,” Rovtar said about the concert. “Just a way for us to help freshmen and new students see the Dive and meet people this school year.”

Contact religion reporter April Samuelson at [email protected].