Huntsville native Carter Hamric and his band will start off the A-Day game with a free acoustic concert at 8:30 a.m. at the Ferguson Center. Then, at 11 a.m., Hamric will perform again in a free concert across from Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Carter Hamric, a sophomore at Lipscomb University in Nashville, is a new country singer, and he said he is looking forward to perform on Saturday.

“To me. country music and football, especially Alabama football, go hand in hand,” Hamric said. “What better way to get the season started but with country music? The concert is right in front of the stadium and its going to add to the A-Day experience.”

Hamric said he has received a lot of publicity from his popular song “Roll Tide Roll.”

“The song was picked up by Huntsville radio station, and as Alabama kept winning, more stations started to play the song all across the state,” Hamric said. “It was actually played in Auburn.”

Hamric said his band’s bass player, UA sophomore and member of the Million Dollar Band Jared Shepard, and Shepard’s father Mike wrote the song last year.

“I just think it’s really encouraging as a songwriter and musician to see how far this song has come and what doors have been opened because of the ‘Roll Tide Roll’ song, considering it was written less than a year ago,” said Shepard. “Playing at A-Day is a true honor and blessing.  We feel incredibly fortunate to participate in such an event, especially considering our school’s reputation and a new interest due to the National Championship victory.”

Joel Mask, associate director of student media, said the Corolla

Yearbook was among the many organizations that sponsored the concerts.

Mask said, “This is an opportunity for us to promote the yearbook, and Carter Hamric is added entertainment.”

He said the Office of Student Media and Talladega Motor Speedway also helped with the concert. Attendees have the opportunity to buy yearbooks, race tickets and see the pace car for the Talladega race on display.

Corolla Editor Corey Craft, a senior majoring in telecommunications and film, said the yearbook is excited about the event.

Associate Dean of Students and Executive Director of Student

Development Tim Hebson said his office is also sponsoring the concert.

He said Hamric is an Alabama fan who wanted to give back to school and did the concert for free.

“We put on this event for the students,” Hebson said. It’s a great way to listen to music and walk to the game.”

Hebson also said Carter’s “Roll Tide Roll” is available now for students to download. To get the song as a ringtone for free, text roll tide to 68632.