Two-time Grammy Award winner T-Pain is set to headline Albany State University’s homecoming concert Thursday, Oct.15, at the ASU Health, Physical Education and Recreation Gymnasium at 7 p.m. The performance is a benefit concert for the “Rams in the Roses and Beyond” campaign. The campaign supports the ASU Marching Band, which is set to perform in the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1.
                                                                                                                                                    
“We are excited to have T-Pain on board as we celebrate Homecoming and ‘Rams in the Roses and Beyond’,” said Chanta Haywood, vice president of Institutional Advancement. “Our band has worked really hard, so to be recognized and to have the support of someone as talented as T-Pain, commit to a benefit for the university, says a lot about the caliber of students and at ASU.”
 
In addition to the concert, T-Pain is scheduled to conduct a one-on-one session with members of the ASU Marching Band about the entertainment industry and how to pursue a career in music.
                                               
The band students are not the only group benefitting from T-Pain’s visit to ASU. Music education junior Maya Broadwater, competed in the T-Pain Talent Showcase and won the opportunity to perform as the opening act at the Homecoming concert. Broadwater stunned the audience as she performed, Jennifer Holliday’s rendition of “And I am Telling You” from the hit Broadway musical, “Dream Girls.”
 
“When I first heard about the talent showcase, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Broadwater said. “I was hoping and praying the judges would choose me.”
 
As the winner of the talent showcase, not only will Broadwater serve as the opening act for T-Pain at the concert, she will also receive a two year, record deal with a one single contract with Supreme Clientele Elite, Universal Music Group.
 
“ASU is full of opportunities,” Broadwater said. “It is your job to make the most of your college experience. Anything is possible when you listen to your heart and follow your dreams.”
 
Tickets to the concert can be purchased at Athlete’s Foot located at 2800 Old Dawson Road, Odyssey Records located at  247 E. Oglethorpe Blvd. in the Shackleford Shopping Center and at Eventbrite.com. Students can purchase tickets in the Office of Student Activities, located in the ASU Student Center.
 
T-Pain will meet briefly with the media immediately following the one-on-one with the ASU Marching Band.