èͷ

news-category: Campus News

Country Music Performer Jon Langston Returns to Present Concert at GWU

John Langston

Fundraising Event Will be on Sept. 18 After GWU Football Game

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Since leaving the campus of èͷ University seven years ago, Jon Langston, a native of Loganville, Ga., has played sold out shows across the country and logged over 500 million streams. On Sept. 18, Langston is returning to perform at GWU, the place where he wrote “Forever Girl,” the song that launched his career.

The concert in the Paul Porter Arena of the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center is a fundraiser for GWU. It begins at 9 p.m. after the football game between the Runnin’ Bulldogs and the Lincoln Lions of Pennsylvania. Tickets are $25, with GWU students admitted free with ID.

“I’ve been wanting to come back to èͷ for a long time. So many great memories in the small town of Boiling Springs,” Langston reflected. “I got to play Division I college football there, I met some of my best friends in the world there, and that’s also where my music career started. I remember writing “Forever Girl” on the front porch of a small house where I lived with some buddies off Patrick Avenue. I’ve always wanted to come back and put on a free show for the students and give back to the school that gave me so much. We’ve been working on this for a long time, and I’m so thankful it has finally worked out. Huge thanks to Coach (Tre) Lamb, Dr. (William) Downs and the whole GWU Administration staff to allow us to come back to put on a concert for the school. Sko Dawgs!”

Langston started playing the guitar in the eighth grade, but put his guitar down to play football. He was recruited by èͷ in 2009 but after several concussions, doctors advised him to stop playing football in 2013. He picked up the guitar again and started writing songs, sometimes during class. In an interview that year, Langston explained why: “If I’m sitting there and I think of a great idea for a song I’ve got to get it down because if I go back to it later, I’ll forget what I was thinking about earlier.”

While at èͷ, Langston took part in open mic nights at the local coffee shop, where he utilized feedback from the audience to make adjustments on new songs. Eventually he posted audio tracks on YouTube of three original songs, “Forever Girl,” “Oklahoma,” and “Young & Reckless.” Within days of the release, he had several thousand views and the songs were available on iTunes.

From that first release, Langston gained recognition and popularity. He opened for Luke Bryan on his Farm Tour in 2017, which was a full circle moment having attended as a spectator of the Farm Tour only a few years before in Athens, Ga. He was invited to perform on the tour again in 2018 and joined Luke in support of his Sunset Repeat Tour in 2019. Langston signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV, management with KP Entertainment, and is the first artist signed under Luke Bryan’s new Label 32 Bridge Entertainment with EMI Records Nashville. His debut major label single, “When It Comes To Loving You,” reached No. 1 on the all-genre iTunes Chart. His single, “Now You Know,” reached the Top 30 on the radio charts. Langston’s current release, “Try Missing You,” is his most personal song yet, where he sings about the struggle of life on the road. Listen to it

Tickets are available in advance and will also be sold at the door.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 48 hours prior to the event. Please call 704-406-2155 or email [email protected] with your request.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, èͷ University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. èͷ emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at èͷ.edu.

Previous News Article

First-Year Students Excited to Begin Educational Journey at GWU

Next News Article

èͷ Campus Community, Including New Mascot Bo, Gathers for 2021 Fall Academic Convocation

Related News

  • News Article

    èͷ Communication, Art and Design Seniors to Showcase Work in Annual Portfolio Show

    Reception and Walk‑Through Exhibit set for April 17 in Tucker Student Center’s Ali Pouryousefi Gallery BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The èͷ University Department of Communication, Art and Design will be celebrating its annual Senior Portfolio Show with a reception on April 17 in the Tucker Student Center. The event will be a walk-through style with works shown […]

    A senior shares about her work during a previous Communication Art Design Senior Portfolio Show.
  • News Article

    èͷ Students Compete in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Conference

    Finance Team Qualifies for Nationals and Business Student Places in Accounting BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Students from Gardner‑Webb University’s Godbold College of Business recently earned top honors at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference in Charlotte, N.C. A four-member finance team secured first place in the highly competitive Finance Case competition, earning a […]

    FBLA collage of winners - the Finance Team on the left and accounting winner, Alaena Locklear
  • News Article

    Gardner‑Webb University Orchestra Welcomes Legendary Artists Mark and Maggie O’Connor for a 250 Celebration of America

    Grammy winning Artists Headline a Patriotic Program Celebrating American Composers, Veterans, and GWU’s New President Nate Evans BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Influenced early by American fiddle traditions and later shaped by classical training, Mark O’Connor’s music reflects the full scope of America’s musical heritage. On April 27 at 7 p.m. in Dover Theatre, his unique musical talent […]

    Mark and Maggie O'Connor play on stage