IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Country crooners Old Dominion with Michael Ray and newcomer Brandon Lay will hit the Carver-Hawkeye Arena stage at the University of Iowa in Iowa City on April 27, 2018 for a concert benefiting the Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program. The AYA program is strongly supported by Iowa men’s basketball head coach Fran McCaffery and his wife Margaret, whose son was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at just 13 years old.
Tickets for the concert will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Dec. 15, at odhawks.urock.events.
“We are grateful to be involved in a program that is focused on supporting those affected by adolescent cancer,” said Margaret McCaffery. “After going through this with our son and losing one of his friends to cancer, we understand how crucial supporting this demographic is. This concert is going to be a fun way to raise awareness and funds to help more families facing this overwhelming hurdle.”
The AYA program combines the expertise of specialists at UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital to help patients ages 13 to 31 face the unique challenges of cancer by helping provide care during treatment and offering ongoing support for any issues and problems that might affect their lives later on.
The concert will feature headliner Old Dominion. Known for their country charm, lyrical wit and rock ‘n’ roll grit, the band recently released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Happy Endings, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and No. 7 on the Top 200 and were nominated for two CMA nominations for “New Artist of the Year” and “Vocal Group of the Year.” Old Dominion’s new single, “Written In The Sand,” follows the success of the first single off of the album “No Such Thing As A Broken Heart,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase charts. The group already has several top selling singles under their belts, including the two-week No.1 "Break Up With Him" (PLATINUM), "Snapback" (GOLD) and "Song For Another Time," which hit No. 1 the on Billboard Country Airplay and MediaBase charts.
Opening for Old Dominion will be Michael Ray, who hit the country airwaves in 2015 with his self-titled debut album that featured hit singles “Think a Little Less,” and “Kiss You in the Morning,” which both reached No.1 on the Country charts. In between touring, Michael has been recording his new album expected for release in early 2018 with its first single, "Get To You," at Country radio now.
Up-and-comer Brandon Lay will be opening the show. Set to tour with Kenny Chesney in 2018, Lay hit the scene with two-song EP Speakers featuring “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers.” He is currently working on a full-length album to be released in 2018.
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About Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer ProgramPeople between the ages of 13 and 31 face unique challenges when it comes to cancer. Certain cancers happen more often in this age group. Managing the demands of cancer treatment, school, work, and family commitments can be difficult. The AYA Cancer Program of University of Iowa Health Care is a program that combines the expertise of specialists at UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The AYA Cancer Program not only provides care for patients during treatment, but also for the issues and problems unique to this group that will affect their lives later on. To learn more visit https://uihc.org/adolescent-and-young-adult-aya-cancer-program.