Rock band Shinedown and former Outkast member Big Boi will perform at Groovin' on the Grounds.
Battle of the Bands winner Prom Date will open the March 20 concert on Parade Ground.
Melissa Guidry, Student Government director of student involvement, announced the lineup Monday at noon in the Live Oak Lounge with Students on Target members.
SG will pay Shinedown $50,000 and Big Boi $27,500 to perform, as well as $7,750 to Green Machine Entertainment, which represents the University and works with each artist's agent. Green Machine receives 10 percent of what SG pays the artists.
Shinedown and Big Boi are being paid from the spring concert fee account, which comes from a $3 student fee.
The spring concert fee account has $131,561 to be used for the event. The money not spent on the lineup will be used for production, Guidry said.
Production expenses will include a stage, amps, screens, security, advertising and a rain location, Guidry said.
SG will also use $12,500 from sponsorship accounts to fund the concert.
Prom Date is not being paid to perform. The student-based group won Battle of the Bands on Oct. 31, and performing at Groovin' was one of the perks of winning.
"We've never paid the winner [of Battle of the Bands]," Guidry said. "To play at Groovin' is a prize because we're offering them the exposure."
But several students at the lineup announcement were unhappy with SG's choice.
"I'm not a Shinedown fan, but I don't think there are a whole lot of students who are," said Christina Eskew, biology sophomore.
Kayla Comeaux, biology sophomore, said she would have preferred MGMT to perform.
"Shinedown wouldn't be my first choice," Comeaux said. "It's not really for me, but I do like that they chose Big Boi and Prom Date. Those are good starting bands."
Shinedown wasn't SG's first choice either, Guidry said.
"We had the most difficulty with getting the headliner because we had to cut back how much we offered because funds got smaller from last year," Guidry said.
Shinedown was in the top 7 percent of the survey of 4,000 students, Guidry said. The top choices were MGMT and Lil Wayne.
Guidry said she and Students on Target didn't choose those bands because they don't fit with Groovin's mission to provide a PG-13 atmosphere. Even with the current artists, Groovin' planners have put several songs on the "no play" list.
"We were able to get [Shinedown] for $25,000 less than last year's headliner," Guidry said.
SG paid last year's headliner, Akon, $75,000.
SG Vice President Martina Scheuermann said releasing the lineup took a long time because it has taken longer than usual to get contracts signed.
"The contracts didn't get finalized by all parties involved until last week," Scheuermann said.
SG Adviser Michelle Eldredge said student suggestions were taken into consideration.
"We definitely looked at who was out there and available," Eldredge said. "Both Big Boi and Shinedown were on the survey."
Students on Target hosts the annual concert, and Guidry said donations and merchandise sales will benefit Tigers for Haiti and the American Red Cross.
Guidry said Tigers for Haiti plans to introduce Tigers for Haiti wristbands, which students can buy for $3 or more.
Groovin' has never made profits, but this year vendors will sell merchandise, and attendees can make donations.
"It only makes sense to utilize the opportunity when a lot of students are there to get the message out," Scheuermann said. "It's a great way to kick off the response from students how they want to mobilize Tigers for Haiti."
Scheuermann said this year is the first time Groovin' on the Grounds will be a fundraising event, and it's an opportunity for students to give money to a nonprofit organization.
Other artists on last year's roster included electronic artist DJ PK1, local rapper Dee-1 and singer/songwriter Corey Smith.
"From going to a world-known artist like Wyclef Jean and Akon to Shinedown is a disappointment," said Jeanette Campos, history junior.
About 300 students attended the announcement in Live Oak Lounge, and four students participated in a dance-off for backstage passes.
Groovin' is free to the public.
According to the contract with Green Machine Entertainment, Groovin's goal is to "provide an evening of music in an alcohol-free, fun and safe environment" with the theme of "a good time not wasted."
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Contact Catherine Threlkeld at cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com
Shinedown, Big Boi, Prom Date to play at March 20 concert on Parade Ground
Published: Monday, March 1, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, March 2, 2010 00:03
 "Photo: N/A")
 "Photo: SARAH HUNT / The Daily Reveille")
SARAH HUNT / The Daily Reveille
Lekorde White, biology freshman, announces Shinedown as Groovin’ on the Grounds’ headliner on Monday in the Union’s Live Oak Lounge. Big Boi and Prom Date will also perform in the concert held March 20 on the Parade Ground.
is a member of the 
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