Colorado State University Athletics
Rivers Rutherford to perform at Ram Town Saturday
11/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2010
By Kaitlyn Comiskey
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Country performer and songwriter Rivers Rutherford will be performing live at Ram Town Saturday before the Rams’ Senior Day matchup against BYU.
One of the genre’s top writers, he also performs and will hold a live concert from 10:15-11:15 a.m. after the 10 a.m. Ram Walk, when the CSU players and coaches arrive and proceed to their locker room through a tunnel made up of the school band and cheerleaders. The concert, which is free, is the first major musical performance within Ram Town, which launched in 2007.
Rutherford, who has a friendship with the family of CSU senior Guy Miller, is best known for his first No. 1 hit, “Ain’t Nothin’ ‘Bout You,” recorded by Brooks and Dunn in 2001. Rutherford has written many other country hits, including Tim McGraw’s “Real Good Man,” and Montgomery Gentry’s first No. 1, “If You Ever Stop Loving Me.” In 2002, Rutherford was honored by the American Society of Composers, Publishers and Authors (ASCPA) and received the organization’s Song of the Year Award.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., Rutherford earned a piano scholarship to Ole' Miss, where he majored in English and music. His first big break was in 1989 when four American icons, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, recorded his song, “American Remains,” as the Highwaymen.
Artists including Gretchen Wilson, Gary Allan, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, Trick Pony, Blake Shelton, Deana Carter, Clay Davidson, Jamie O’Neal and Andy Griggs have recorded Rutherford’s songs. His most current hit is Gretchen Wilson’s “Homewrecker.”
In 2010 alone, Frankie Ballard, Lady Antebellum, Reba, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Rimes, B.J. Thomas, Bill Anderson, Jamie Lee Thurston, Chasing Dixie and Jimmy Wayne will all release albums containing Rutherford’s songs.
Rams to wear orange: The Rams will once again wear their orange uniforms for this Saturday’s game against BYU, as it is not only Senior Day, but also the last known time that CSU will face BYU, a rivalry that began in 1922. Saturday will mark the end of an 88-year-old conference relationship, as BYU in August announced its intentions to become a football independent, beginning next season.
CSU’s colors when the team was known as the Colorado A&M Aggies during the first half of the 20th Century were pumpkin (orange) and alfalfa (green). The Rams debuted the new Russell uniforms on Sept. 25, when they earned their first win in a dramatic 36-34 triumph over Idaho.
Student tickets: Plenty of free student tickets remain for Saturday’s home finale and students are encouraged to come out and support their football team. Student tickets, free with a valid CSU ID, are available during normal business hours on weekdays at both the Lory Student Center and McGraw Athletic Center box offices. They are not available on the day of the game at the stadium.
