The Randy Rogers Band headlines for the Purple Out Concert

BY MICAELA SULLIVAN

Multimedia Journalist

On Thursday, Oct. 16th, 2025, Tarleton State University students and Stephenville community members all came together for the Purple Out Concert.

As homecoming week has persisted with popular events such as the Lighting of the Smokestack, Launching of the Ducks and The Beating of the Drum, the Purple Out Concert was one of the most anticipated events of the week, with the bonfire happening the next night.

Texans had a lot to look forward to at the Purple Out Concert, whether it was dressing up in purple, dancing with friends or the music. However, one of the biggest parts of the night was free food.

Trucks lined up the parking lot, as did students, with lines so long they wrapped around other lines. The food trucks were as follows: La Reyna, The Beignet Bus, A&J Elotes, The Shack, Vietnamese Cuisine, Boardwalk Bites, Udderly Delicious, Potato King and the Bad Donkey.

Tarleton freshman Katharina Seay, who attended the Purple Out Concert, stated that her favorite part of the night was the food.

“The food. I love Randy Rogers but it's the food. The Beignets are good, but the loaded potatoes are actually really good, too,” Seay said.

While students and community members were excited about the free food, they felt the energy with the opener, Presley Haile, a Texan born singer/songwriter, as she opened the concert. The 23-year-old singer brought the energy to kick off the night with songs that had the crowd dancing and hollering.

Freshman Alyssa River explained how different homecoming is here.

“This is our first homecoming here. We’re freshmen and in our town, the only thing they really do is a parade and a football game. So, the fact there's a whole week of events is crazy, ”Rivers said.

As the night went on, everyone was anticipating the headliner: The Randy Rogers Band.

Originally created in San Marcos, Texas, the Randy Rogers Band is a popular country band in Texas. The band has been active for 17 years since its founding by Rogers. Its members include lead guitarist and vocalist Randy Rogers, bassist Johnny Chops, fiddle player Brady Black, guitarist and vocalist Geoffrey Hill, drummer Les Lawless and longtime member Michael Todd Stewart.

The Tarleton TTP (Ten Tarleton Peppers) and TTS (Ten Tarleton Sisters) did the raising of Oscar P to welcome the Randy Rogers Band onto the stage. As the band took the stage, the crowd erupted. Community members, Tarleton alumni and current students all showed their support for the band.

Throughout the whole concert, Mama T kept the audience entertained and informed. She welcomed the Mr. and Mrs. TSU court before the student and community body.

Mama T also brought to the stage PANKUS (People Against Not Knowing University Spirit). The PANKUS members introduced themselves before presenting three prizes for the top three best dressed for “purple out,” with one of the winners being a purple wizard.

With lots of free food, time with friends, special guests and the Randy Rogers Band, the Purple Out Concert left students feeling like they were a part of the tradition of homecoming to its fullest.