Written by Gabrielle Olivia Pruitt
The bitterly cold temperatures along with snow and ice did not stop Harding University students from enjoying a concert on Friday, Jan. 29, in the Administration Auditorium.
Due to weather conditions, James Reunion, who was originally scheduled to open for Wertz, was unable to make the show. However, Harding’s Campus Activities Director Corey McEntyre provided music with his guitar and entertainment with his wit.McEntyre performed a few songs from “Party in the USA” to “Bad Romance” to keep the audience amused untilMatt Wertzand his band took the stage.
One thing that made Wertz so well-received was his great personality and down-to-earth attitude.The way he talked openly and casually generated only positive feedback.
“I just want to have dinner with him!” one girl in the audience said.
A favorite song of Student Association President Bryan Clifton was “I Will Not Take My Love Away.” He felt it had a “very strong message” and provided a comforting feeling.
Wertz told about the deep meaning behind this popular song, “I Will Not Take My Love Away,” saying it was about finding a way to understand God’s unconditional love for human beings.This was written from God’s perspective because He will not take His love away from us.Wertz found it difficult to grasp that lowly humans could be loved in such a powerful way no matter what, so as he began to open his heart to this concept the lyrics of his song were created.
“I’m a nostalgic freak,” Wertz said while tuning his acoustic Collings guitar. “So the song “I Just Realized” came while looking back and thinking about how you realize you love someone.”
Wertz told everyone to close their eyes and listen to each word as they pictured the place and the moment. With phrases like “sitting on the front porch” and the feel of a “lazy breeze,” he creates vivid imagery of a country scene.At the end, he asked, “Did you go there?”
Wertz performed several other songs from “Everything’s Right” to “All I Know” expressing his love and passion for his music in each.Students were heard singing along with Wertz throughout the concert, especially in the popular song “5:19.”This song was inspired by an uneasy feeling towards a relationship, an emotion to which almost everyone can relate.
Click here to hear Wertz singing “The Way I Feel” with HU students’ help.
In closing, Wertz jokingly explained how an encore worked and promised if the audience applauded long enough and loud enough after his last song, he would come back out. Naturally, it was no surprise when he returned to the stage to give more joy through his music to the anxious crowd.
