Associated Press

File 2009

Ferrum College's Big Concert this year lives up to the name, with a pack of young talent led by one of 2009's big hit makers.

Rising pop star Chrisette Michele, the headliner, was No. 1 on the Billboard pop and R&B/hip-hop charts with her latest release, "Epiphany." The CD has remained in the Top 200 for 39 weeks, according to Billboard.com.

"Epiphany" followed her debut album, "I Am," which went gold and gained her Grammy and Black Entertainment Television awards nominations.

Ferrum students might be more familiar with show opener Rudy Currence, though.

Currence, a soulful crooner who recently signed with Chris "Ludacris" Bridges' Disturbing Tha Peace Records, is making his third annual stop at the college.

Second-on-the-bill Black Violin features two classically trained violinists and a disc jockey, mashing up R&B/hip-hop and more with virtuosic fiddle work.

-- Tad Dickens

CHECK 'EM OUT

Who: Chrisette Michele, with Black Violin, Rudy Currence

Where: Ferrum College fitness center, Ferrum

When: 6:45 tonight

How much: $20; those younger than 18 must come with an adult

Info: (800) 594-8499, www.ferrum.edu, www.thisischrisettemichele.com, www.blackviolin.net, www.rudycurrenceonline.com