Logan Selected to host National Artist Secondhand Serenade

A parking lot dispute in Idaho turned out to be a positive thing for Utah fans of the nationally recognized band Secondhand Serenade and, as a result, the band will perform in Logan on the Utah State University campus Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center.

 

The concert is presented by Pakt House Productions, headed by Logan native and USU student Tom Atwood. Campus sponsors for the concert are the USU Bookstore and the E Club from the Huntsman School of Business. For the USU concert, the USU Bookstore will give away a signed guitar by the band.

 

Tickets for the concert are available at the Caine School of the Arts Box Office at USU located in the Chase Fine Arts Center, FA 138-B, 435-797-8022, or online. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

 

Secondhand Serenade was originally scheduled to appear in Blackfoot, Ida., as part of a nation-wide “Fast Times at Secondhand High” tour. But, with difficulties with the city, parking and an event center, the promoter and Pakt House Productions owner Atwood selected Logan as the concert site. He saw the conflict as an opportunity to bring a show to Logan that would normally take place in a larger market.

 

“It’s a unique situation,” Atwood said. “Most touring bands want to play major markets, however, with the cancelled show in Idaho I felt like it was the perfect opportunity to bring a band to Logan that wouldn’t normally stop here.”

 

Secondhand Serenade has recently toured with the Plain White T’s, All American Rejects, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park and Hawthorne Heights and has appeared on MTV, Yahoo! Music and AOL. In 2006, “Rolling Stone” announced Secondhand Serenade as number three in the magazine’s reader’s poll for Best Myspace Artist. The single, “Fall for You” off Secondhand Serenade’s second album, “A Twist in My Story,” topped the U.S. Billboard Pop 100 at number eight.

 

John Vesely, lead singer and songwriter for Secondhand Serenade, started as a solo artist using the band’s name. Much of his success came early in his career when, without a label, he promoted his first album on Myspace while playing local shows. With his success, Secondhand Serenade continues to maintain a personal relationship with its supporters.

 

“Nothing in my career would be possible without my fans backing me,” Vesely said. “They are the most important people in terms of any success I have or will ever have.”

 

His attempts to retain a personal relationship are apparent on his site and during his concerts. His site has a phone system setup where fans leave him messages and he calls at least one back each day.

 

Atwood said the concert at USU will give fans and new listeners the opportunity to establish this intimate connection with Secondhand Serenade. Atwood has previously produced two shows for Vesely at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah.

 

Atwood and his production company were responsible for bringing bands Eve 6 and Yellowcard to Logan in 2008. He has also produced concerts for Hollywood Undead, comedian Brian Regan and, most recently, country star and former lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish Darius Rucker.

 

Source: Pakt House Productions