Charlie Wilson, Rickey Smiley Headline Florida Blue Florida Classic Weekend
The Florida Classic Consortium is pleased to announce Charlie Wilson, former lead singer of The Gap Band, will headline the McDonald’s Halftime Show as part of the 33rd annual Florida Blue Florida Classic. Additionally, comedian Rickey Smiley will perform as part of this year’s Florida Blue Battle of the Bands.
Charlie Wilson, a six-time Grammy nominee, will play at the McDonald’s Halftime Show for what is expected to be another large crowd at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on November 17. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. Known for his inspirational and uplifting music,Wilson will perform a 15-minute set following the B-CU Marching Wildcats.
“Working with our partners at B-CU, we really focused on bringing the best entertainment available to this year’s Florida Blue Florida Classic and the Florida Blue Battle of the Bands,” said FAMU’s interim president and provost Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “Charlie Wilson is a terrific addition to our talent lineup and has a tremendous following among Florida Classic fans. Charlie is just one more reason this is a must-attend event so get your tickets before they are gone!”
While the band’s halftime performance is typically kept secret until show time, it is being released that there will be a collaboration between Wilson and the B-CU Marching Wildcats that will ensure a show stopping, memorable and first-of-its-kind performance in the Florida Blue Florida Classic history.
“I’ve been a fan of the Florida Blue Florida Classic for a while now and am pumped to perform at this year’s event alongside the B-CU Wildcats,’ said Wilson. “It’s sure to be a show you won’t want to miss.”
Standup comedian and radio personality Rickey Smiley, who stars in the recently-launched Rickey Smiley Show and is best known for his outrageous characters, will have the crowd rolling with laughter at the Florida Blue Battle of the Bands on Friday,Nov. 16 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Amway Center. High school bands from throughout the state of Florida will also be performing, as will the B-CU Marching Wildcats.
“There are so many great traditions that surround the game and ancillary events,” said B-CU’s interim president Edison O. Jackson,Ed.D. “With the announcement of this year’s entertainment we are only continuing to build on the fun and excitement that everyone has come to expect from the Florida Blue Florida Classic.”
Tickets for both events may be purchased from Ticketmaster.com, any Ticketmaster outlet or the Amway Center and range from $10.75 to $52.00 per ticket depending upon seat location. Packages for groups of 20 or more may be purchased through the Florida Citrus Sports Ticket Office at 407-423-2476.
Proceeds from theFlorida Blue Florida Classic and all official ancillary events support FAMU’s and B-CU’s mission of providing educational opportunities through scholarships for all students. Game sponsors, including title sponsor Florida Blue and Halftime Show sponsor McDonald’s, help make this mission possible.
About the Florida Blue Florida Classic
The Florida Blue Florida Classic is the annual college football game between the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University and the Rattlers of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Each year, the Florida Classic Consortium hosts the Florida Blue Florida Classic as well as other ancillary events including the Florida Blue Battle of the Bands, Florida Blue Florida Classic Career Expo and Diversity Job Fair, Florida Blue Florida Classic FanFare and Florida Classic Consortium Kickoff Luncheon presented by Florida Blue. This on-field rivalry has taken place annually since 1978 and FAMU leads the series 21-11. For more information please visit floridaclassic.org.