When junior David Cullen received his Centennial Concert ticket as a gift from his girlfriend, he didn’t realize how much would be packed into the $20 price tag

After sitting through a three-hour show packed with piano playing, guitar jamming and acoustic audio blasting from the speakers of Anderson Arena courtesy of platinum-selling artists Gavin DeGraw and Michelle Branch, along with Red Wanting Blue, Cullen said the show exceeded the $20 value.

“I thought [Sunday’s] concert was absolutely awesome,” Cullen said. “They played all their classics and they were [all] really rocking the stage.”

The concert, which is the first in a series of year-long events celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the University, was sponsored by the University Activities Organization and the Centennial Commission.

The concert was specifially geared to what students requested, said University President Carol Cartwright, who was one of the 1,062 in attendance.

“I think it’s really special that the student component of the centennial has been designed by and for students and this is what the students wanted,” Cartwright said.

‘Gavin’ it up

In the middle of his set, DeGraw asked the crowd if they liked him in a high-pitched tune.

The audience cheered loudly.

Then DeGraw said he loved the crowd. He then posed the question: “Are you in love with me?”

Before he could even finish his sentence, the arena reached its peak volume as many females stood up and shrieked for their satisfaction at DeGraw’s inquiry.

“Oh, he is sexy, way sexy,” said junior Courtney Soltis.

DeGraw, who said the University celebration was “even more fun than my parents’ anniversary,” played all of his well-known songs, including “Chariot” and “In Love With A Girl.” His headlining performance concluded with a rendition of “I Don’t Want To Be,” which was hardened from its original version with an emphasis on guitars and drums.

“He really interacted with the crowd well and he really kind of knew how to control the room. Get the party started,” Cullen said.

The piano-playing artist has remained successful since his 2003 debut album “Chariot.” DeGraw has sold millions of albums worldwide, four singles reach Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, and his hit song “I Don’t Want To Be,” gained notoriety as the theme song for the popular television show “One Tree Hill.”

Despite these credentials, DeGraw still had to win students over.

“I was not a fan before, but I definitely, definitely am now,” said junior Caroline Palmisano.

Palmisano, who was working the event for UAO as part of the Centennial Student Subcommittee, said she appreciated the great effort DeGraw put into his performance.

Veteran fans of DeGraw were also present and excited to see one of their favorite artists perform live.

Unlike Palmisano, senior Jillian Patton is a veteran fan. After seeing the singer-songwriter perform five years ago, Patton said DeGraw has greatly increased his on-stage persona and overall performance.

“I think there is just something different about his voice and his music style that keeps me interested in him,” Patton said after receiving an autograph from DeGraw.

Branching Out

Branch is in the process of rejuvenating her solo career after a six-year hiatus.

During the past few years, Branch started the two-girl country band The Wreckers, released the band’s only CD, married bassist Teddy Landau — who plays with Branch on tour — and gave birth to her daughter, Owen.

Now Branch is ready to regain her presence as a prolific solo artist, deliver No. 1 singles and perform once again.

While Branch sang songs from her upcoming CD “Everything Comes And Goes,” (which will be released later this year), including her first single off the album, “Sooner or Later”, it was her classic, top-charting hits that had the crowd chanting along with her during the hour-long set.

Branch sung popular tunes such as “Everywhere,” “Breathe” and “Are You Happy Now?”

Overall, Branch said it was awesome returning to her roots and singing songs she wrote years ago.

“I had a great show,” Branch said after her performance in an exclusive interview with The BG News (For more, read her “Centennial artists sing the truth” piece).”You forget why you love music so much and you have to realize how fortunate you are to be able to do it for a living. It’s been three years that I’ve been off the road and now I’m just dying to play shows.”

Branch said staying connected to her fans is how she kept and grows her popularity.

During a contest on her Twitter account this past week (@michellebranch), sophomore Paul Rickard won the opportunity to have a meet-and-greet with the Grammy-Award winning artist. Rickard, who has followed Branch since her pop career took off in 2000, said it was incredible meeting a celebrity who is an “ordinary” person away from the stage.

“It was a surreal experience,” he said. “You have these big expectations about all these stars that you idolize for so long and you meet them and they are just like you. It was just a cool experience.”

Colorful performance

Red Wanting Blue is not a nationally known act, but they have gained their own popularity in Bowling Green.

The band was the opening act for the Centennial Concert, but did more than just warmup DeGraw and Branch.

Frequent performers at Howard’s Club H, the Columbus-based band performs in Bowling Green about once a semester. With ukuleles, exotic drums and dynamic vocals, Red Wanting Blue combines music genres indie, rock and alternative to entertain fans. “I loved them. I thought they were really good,” said Elizabeth Simmons, 2009 University graduate.

Jazmine Bennet, who is friends with Simmons, stood up, clapped and danced to the rhythm during the band’s last song.

“I just love music and I think it’s good to let the band know that you’re enjoying their performance,” she said.

The two said they would be willing to see the band perform at Howard’s Club H on Jan. 28.

Well worth it

Makig a profit on this concert is nearly impossible, according to Denny Bubrig, coordinator of the concert and member of the University Students Events Subcommittee.

While tickets were inexpensive ($20 for students, $30 for general admission) Bubrig said the goal for these events is to actually break even. Once the talent fees — such as cost to bring in artists — and production fees — the cost for the performance and publicity leading up to the concert — are paid for, the concert will most likely make money for the centennial. Final figures were not available during press time.

But making a profit was not the No. 1 priority for this event, said UAO President Sarah Johnson.

Johnson said the main goal was to make sure the students who did attend had a worthwhile experience.

“My only expectation was for the people who came to have a fantastic time and I definitely think everyone who was here had a great time,” she said.

Bubrig said this was one of the best University-sponsored concerts he has been a part of.

“I have been doing concerts for 11 years and arguably it was one of the easiest concert days I ever had,” Bubrig said. “The acts just completely engrossed themselves, got involved in local culture and interacted with a number of students.”

And students are appreciative for all the hard work going into the event.

“It was an excellent concert, a great choice,” Cullen said. “Overall, it was a great way to start the centennial.”