What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1001510
JULY 8-14, 2018 WHAT'S UP! 9 "We're always writing new stuff and excited about what's next," he shares. "Sometimes with a song we'll go, 'OK, this definitely suits Kenny better or Luke better, let's just send it to them.' And if they don't like it, we'll still have it. And then there are some where we're like, 'Do not play this for anyone!'" There will always be another song, Ramsey says, but sometimes another artist turning down a pitch works out in Old Dominion's favor — like when Chesney told the group, "'No Such Thing as a Broken Heart' is a great song, but you guys should record it." The motivational tune became the lead single off their sophomore album "Happy Endings" and gave Ramsey a new perspective. "'Broken Heart' [came] out of our conversation with each other, and we wrote this really personal song, but it was very danceable," he reveals. "And then you realize when you put it out there that it actually is powerful and is helping people. And then you're in a room with 6,000 people singing the same line that you wrote — it's a pretty powerful thing, and it completely changes that song. It's not my song anymore; it's everyone's song. "It also allows you to open up and be a little more honest in your songwriting, and realize that you can be personal and it's probably going to translate to a larger crowd because what you're feeling is probably what other people are feeling," Ramsey concludes. "It's kind of a spiritual thing." STRAIGHT UP JANET As Janet Jackson's stylist for going on 13 years, Robert Behar admits people may be surprised to learn it's not as glamorous a job as they might think. Not the working with an icon part — Behar can't say enough about what a wonderful person Jackson is. "She's the greatest person to work with. She's kind, she's understanding. She knows everything that's going on — how to solve problems, problems that don't even exist yet. It's a family- dynamic — without fighting with your sister!" he jokes. "But I love it. And I'm super blessed. There's such a great mutual respect. And she isn't difficult for the eyes, either! It's easy to design clothes and style such a beautiful lady." No, the less than glamorous side of designing the costumes for and styling a massive North American tour for a music legend comes in the long travel days — often beginning around 6 a.m. for wardrobe — the cleaning and maintenance, the quick change details and understanding the amount of collaboration with a full team of people that goes into the job. "It's not a red carpet story," Behar shares. But Janet Jackson, with her "fashion-oriented" mind and "exquisite eye for detail" is incredibly hands-on from start to finish, keeping the process fun as well as keeping Behar on his toes. "She's always very surprising. It makes the job never boring. Like, I can't go and say, 'Oh, she won't want that.' It's like the first time every time." And that includes the wardrobe for Jackson's "State of the World Tour," now in its second leg as she stops July 13 at the Walmart AMP. After determining the direction for the costumes and the styling using a mood board, Behar and the designers bring the creations to life and make them danceable, Jackson offers necessary changes, and the wardrobe falls into place as part of the whole cohesive machine that is a Janet Jackson concert experience. "It's more approachable, more real, ultra-modern. It's just straight up Janet," Behar offers proudly. FAQ Janet Jackson 'State of the World Tour' WHEN — 8 p.m. July 13 WHERE — Walmart AMP in Rogers COST — $35-$129.50 INFO — 443-5600, waltonartscenter.org/AMP FAQ Kenny Chesney 'Trip Around the Sun Tour' with Old Dominion WHEN — 7:30 p.m. July 12 WHERE — Walmart AMP in Rogers COST — $50 & up INFO — 443-5600, waltonartscenter.org/AMP Janet Jackson brings the style of her "State of the World Tour" to the AMP July 13. Courtesy photos Old Dominion returns to Rogers with pal Kenny Chesney on their third outing with the country star and second time at the AMP.