at Saturday game

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Nov. 20, 2000 10 PM

Troy State University’s win over Jacksonville State University Saturday afternoon gave the Trojans the right to play host for a first-round NCAA Division 1-AA playoff game Nov. 25 and a popular music star.

Singer-songwriter Brian McKnight will be an added attraction to the TSU versus Appalachian State game this coming Saturday.

McKnight, who work includes three best-selling albums, will perform with the TSU Sound of the South Marching Band and the TSU Gospel Choir, said Robert Smith, director of bands at Troy State.

Smith said McKnight’s appearance was made possible because of his connection with Brandon Barnes of Goshen, who has written music for some of the biggest names in the R&B industry, including McKnight.

It was when McKnight was a student at Oakwood, a Christian college in Huntsville, that he met Barnes who is now his co-writing partner.

McKnight was proficient on keyboards, guitar and trumpet by the time he was in high school and led his first band by the time he was 17 years old. He signed with the Mercury label at age 19.

The multi-platinum selling McKnight has come a long way since his first album was released in 1992 and he will be in Troy this weekend.

During his career, his 1998 double-platinum album "Anytime," earned two Grammy nominations. His latest album "Back at One" is also a smash hit.

McKnight’s latest recording "Win" can be heard on the soundtrack of the new film "Men of Honor," starring Robert DeNiro and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Kickoff for the 9-2 Trojans is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Scrushy Field at Memorial Stadium.

Though post-Thanksgiving football crowds aren’t generally as large, TSU officials are expecting McKnight to bring in a lot of spectators to the event.

Tom Davis of TSU’s public affairs said he’s already heard students talking about coming back to school early so they can see McKnight.

Unlike when other musicians, like Lee Greenwood, have performed at TSU games, McKnight will not have a post-game concert.

To order game tickets, call 670-3480 or 1-877-TSU-TICS.