By Jaci Schneider, Copy Editor
Students might soon have more options for their Friday nights on campus. Developers of the ACU Band Network hope to begin showcasing local bands on campus every weekend.
Jordan Williams, sophomore business management major from Longview, came up with the idea of ABN last year during a meeting with Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of campus life, and Layne Rouse, former president of Students’ Association.
“We were talking about centennial additions to the campus center … and the conversation popped up about bands needing places to play,” Williams said.
The network will include musicians, singers and songwriters from the university, and by joining the network, they will have opportunities to play off campus more often.
“It’s been my baby for the past while,” Williams said.
Williams said he spent part of the summer developing more contacts and bands for the network. Eventually, he said he wants a band to play every weekend on campus, whether in the Bean Sprout or in the Hardwood Cafe.
Jennifer Fuentes, senior graphic design major from Abilene, has also been involved in getting ABN up and running. She said Williams asked her to help because of her involvement with JamFest last year.
“ABN is not just for those who are music majors,” Fuentes said. “There are a lot of talented singers, songwriters and musicians on campus who should be given opportunities to play, and hopefully ABN will do that.”
Williams said he knows about at least 13 bands who are interested in the network now.
“They’re really excited about it,” he said.
He said he eventually wants to make ABN a chartered organization so it can go in front of the appropriations committee of SA to get funds.
“No one really has great sound equipment or lighting,” Williams said. Both are aspects of making concerts more enjoyable for audiences.
Fuentes said she wants ABN to involve students from different departments on campus. She said graphic design students could design logos, and ABN could partner with other clubs. Last semester, she said she worked with the Internatial Justice Mission to put on the Jam for Justice concert, an event which benefitted both organizations.
Although neither Fuentes nor Williams is sure of when the first ABN event will take place, Fuentes said another JamFest will be on campus during Homecoming.
Fuentes said she is very excited about ABN and thinks Williams is a good person to get the network going.
“There is a desire in the younger community in Abilene to see that there’s things going on,” she said. “Hopefully ABN will bring that to life.”
