NCAA® 2007 Men's College World Series - Omaha, Nebraska

(OMAHA, Neb. – April 7, 2006) – National recording group Yellowcard will headline this year’s free “Road to Omaha” Jam at the NCAA Men’s College World Series Opening Celebration on June 15, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the Pontiac Garage Stage, according to Jack Diesing Jr., president of College World Series of Omaha, Inc.

“This is the second year for our Road to Omaha Jam and we’re excited to have Yellowcard on stage,” Diesing said.  “The high-energy this group brings to the stage is the perfect way to conclude a full day of activity and interactive exhibits both inside and outside Rosenblatt Stadium and to get everyone geared up for some great baseball.”
 

Based in Southern California, Yellowcard has been compared to groups such as Coldplay and Keane.  The group’s musical style is described by lead vocalist/guitarist Ryan Keys as “melodic pop-rock with really heavy beats.”  Other members of the group include Sean Mackin (violin, backing vocals), Ryan Mendez (lead guitar), Longineu Parsons (drums), and Peter Mosely (bass, backing vocals).

The group’s latest release, Lights and Sounds on the Capitol label, entered the Billboard Top 200 at No. 5 and earned the No. 1 spot on the Alternative Album chart in its first week, according to All Music Guide.  The title track from that CD was released as a single, as well as “Rough Landing Holly” with a video release in March. 

More than previous albums, Lights and Sounds integrates Mackin’s skills as an arranger into the fabric of each song, rather than as a simple flourish of violin.

“A big point of pride for all of us on this record,” according to Keys, “is that we really incorporated the strings into this record, in a way that I think we really started to hone in and develop a lasting sound for our band.”
 

The group’s 2003 Capital release, Ocean Avenue, has sold 2.5 million CDs.  Three singles from that CD are “Way Away,” “Ocean Avenue,” and “Only One.”

Winner of the MTV2 Award in 2004, Yellowcard appeared in the Spider-Man 2 movie soundtrack performing “Gifts and Curses.”

A full day of Opening Celebration activities gets underway June 15 starting at 9 a.m. when individual teams will practice and sign autographs in Rosenblatt Stadium.

“Instead of holding a general autograph session with all the teams involved, each team will sign autographs for a half-hour following its practice,” Diesing noted.  “Individual team practice schedules and autograph sessions will be announced as soon as the qualifying teams are decided.”

At 10 a.m. on June 15, the Men’s College World Series Fan Fest & Coca-Cola Spirit of Champions will get underway in the southwest parking lot of Rosenblatt Stadium. This FREE, interactive area allows fans to experience the excitement and spirit of NCAA games.  The Yellowcard concert will get underway at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies inside Rosenblatt Stadium will start at 8:30 p.m. with the Olympic-style introduction of the eight qualifying teams by the NCAA, City of Omaha and College World Series of Omaha, Inc.  The team introductions will be broadcast on Rosenblatt Stadium’s new video system which measures 27 feet 7 inches high by 56 feet 6 inches wide,  followed by the traditional fireworks extravaganza.

College World Series of Omaha, Inc. is a non-profit organization and the local organizing committee for the annual NCAA Division I Championship Baseball College World Series.  This year’s event gets underway with Opening Ceremonies on June 15 and concludes June 25 or 26 with the final Championship game.  For more information, visit www.CWSOmaha.com.

Editor’s Note:  Yellowcard publicist is Jason Roth @ 212-786-8944 (Jason.roth@capitolrecords.com).