Univ. could showcase Dave Matthews

COURTESY DAVE MATTHEWS BAND

University AT&T customers can text DMB to 9-5-9 to request Dave Matthews Band play a free show in Sanford Stadium. Others can vote online at www.attblueroom.com.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if for one night, and one night only, University students filled Sanford Stadium with the ringing of, “GOOOOOO DAVE! SIC ‘EM?!”

Thanks to a new promotion from AT&T Wireless, the Bulldog Nation just may get its chance.

Through Oct. 15, University students can participate in the fight against 125 other Division I schools for the chance to host “The World’s Largest Pep Rally,” featuring a free and fully produced performance from Dave Matthews Band.

“Much like many other popular musicians today, [Dave Matthews Band] gained much of its fan base from our musically-inspiring city, and Dave himself would claim (as evidenced in live recordings) that Athens was his favorite place to play–,” said Jared Smith, a senior graphic design major from Marietta. “I believe this contest is a perfect opportunity to bring them back to our city for a show.”

Students are encouraged to profess their enthusiasm and creativity for a shot at showcasing DMB on campus through a variety of different mediums.

It’s up to AT&T wireless customers to take the lead.

Members of the wireless service only have to text message the numbers DMB to 9-5-9 via their cell phone to move the University higher in the rankings.

For non-AT&T subscribers, voting can be done online via attblueroom.com.

For those that want to go the extra mile, the contest also entails creating “invitations” for the band to come to the Classic City.

Whether the invitations take the form of an essay, photo, video montage or audio clip, submissions can be made online to contribute to the competition.

Those responsible for the two most creative submissions from each university in the contest will be flown to the show on AT&T’s dime, wherever it may be, when it takes place during the week of Nov. 12.

Many students already have taken matters into their own hands, just as Smith has done.

As creator and moderator of the “Bring DMB to UGA” Facebook group, Smith provides daily updates on Georgia’s rank in the contest as well as tips on how to make great submissions through AT&T and MySpace.

Thanks to the promotion of the contest on campus as well as Smith’s efforts, the University just made a gigantic leap in the rankings from No. 30 to No. 17.

Both AT&T and the band are endorsing this contest out of pure fun and school spirit.

The band explained its intent in a news release stating, “We started out playing at college campuses and that audience has remained loyal to us and our music throughout our entire career – we’re always excited to go back to our roots.”