By\u00a0Thomas Lynn<\/p>\n
The show was set to start at 7:30 p.m. Emma King and The Heartsets may not be a household name, coming all the way from Britain, fans of country music, or music in general, were not disappointed.<\/p>\n
After a brief introduction from Jake Niceley, assistant chair of the School of Music and Entertainment Arts, a student trio performed few warm-up songs for the audience. Among the three was Tim Gill, who displayed great skill playing a harmonica, guitar and what can only be described as a miniature maraca, along with singing lead vocals.<\/p>\n
Once the opening act finished, Niceley came back on stage to entertain the packed room to give EKH, a recording company from Nashville time to set up for the main act, downstairs from the theater. It took longer than Niceley expected. To kill time, he stood at the front of the stage nervously giving many thanks to teachers and friends. He also recalled how he met the band back in November and they got together and talked about the idea to come to Daytona.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey thought it was a great idea, so I got them to come down and started a whole program,\u201d said Niceley, referring to the collaboration between his band and DSC.<\/p>\n
He held his own quite well, as time continued to roll on, all the while looking questionably up at the hovering booth of sound techs for their sign to begin the show. Eventually, it was given to him, and he exited with great relief.<\/p>\n
The band walked out on stage. Sights instantly fell on the short beauty that is Emma King, who began dancing\u00a0energetically barefoot around the stage in a short, fire-apple red dress. She was accompanied by The Heartsets: lead guitarist Ian Harrison, bassist Toby Schwietering, acoustic guitarist Ritch Spence, who also played keyboard, and drummer Will Stanley. Together they showed amazing chemistry with each other and all added their own style to the show. From the lead guitarist\u2019s intricately long solos, arousing excitement from the crowd, to the bass guitarist, they showed true rock-and-roll star stage presence.<\/p>\n
The show went on with a brilliant array of skill and variety and most of all, personality. When it came to an end, Tim Gill came out on stage to play a song with the band. His face was teeming with excitement as he played alongside King. After Gill left the stage, most of the older and youngest of the audience had gone, and EKH was coming around to their final songs. After the closing song and giving thanks to everyone, they ran off the stage and the audience began to exit.<\/p>\n
When there were very few people left in the room, students started showing up to take down the equipment. They were the real reason behind the show taking place at all. The students of Live Sound Reinforcement were scattered on the stage doing their designated jobs, while Daniel Mixer, a music production teacher, was giving guidance to anyone in need of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time we have had this, this semester and, actually, the first time in the program, but hopefully we will be able to do more of it and more often so that the students have more hands on experience,\u201d Mixer said.<\/p>\n
The words of Niceley came to mind after finding out that this whole spectacle was put on specifically for the students, by the students of Daytona State, with the help\u00a0and honor and thanks, of course, going to Emma King and The Heartsets.<\/p>\n
In Niceley\u2019s words, \u201cWhat an amazing opportunity it is for the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By\u00a0Thomas Lynn The show was set to start at 7:30 p.m. Emma King and The Heartsets may not be a household name, coming all the way from Britain, fans of country music, or music in general, were not disappointed. After a brief introduction from Jake Niceley, assistant chair of the Continue reading A little twang from across the pond<\/span>