Rayne is in Rider’s forecast

By Janeen Rodgers

The “X Factor” meets The R Factor in The Pub on Saturday at 8 p.m., with a performance by pop/country group Lakoda Rayne, formed during the first season of “The X Factor.” The opening acts for Lakoda Rayne are Rider’s R Factor winner Erik Krieg and runner-up Megan Scheels.

Nicholas Barbati, coordinator of Campus Life, is in charge of arranging the concert. He looks forward to diversifying campus performers by having the daisy-dukes and cowgirl boots-wearing group come and showcase their abilities on Saturday.

“I think the show is going to be fun, memorable and filled with lots of up-and-coming talent,” Barbati said. “They’re really special. The opening acts are going to complement Lakoda Rayne very well.”

Lakoda Rayne’s performance at Rider will kick off The Pub’s Coyote Ugly night.

The band acknowledged its upcoming appearance via its Twitter account. “We’re so excited to be coming!” Lakoda Rayne tweeted.

If you tuned into the first season of “The X Factor,” then you know that Hayley Orrantia, 18; Paige Ogle, 17; Dani Knights, 23 and New Jersey’s own Cari Fletcher, 18, all joined the show as solo artists. Little did they know that when the show ended they would be nationally known as pop/country group, Lakoda Rayne.

From the beginning, Ogle wasn’t sold on the group idea, so it was no surprise when she announced via her Twitter page that she was no longer going to be in the group. On Monday Ogle also posted a video on her YouTube channel stating that she has decided to go to college to study musical therapy.

With three members remaining, this talented set of girls released its first single, “Emergency Brake,” on Sept. 18. The video debuted on Sept. 16, and already has 24,000 views on YouTube.

Nick Stasi, a senior radio and TV major, believes that this upcoming performance will give R Factor veterans Krieg and Scheels an edge.

“It’s good for regular Rider students to be performing for up-and-coming talent,” Stasi said. “Sometimes you need a little bit of luck.”

Sophomore radio and TV major Madeline Smith does not believe Lakoda Rayne will appeal to most students.

“The country fan base isn’t too strong on campus,” Smith said.

This opinion is not universal. Some, like junior radio and TV major Jim Vasil, believe that talent, not genre, is what is imperative.

“Taylor Swift is an exception to country music,” Vasil said. “If they’re talented they will be respected around the world. This goes for myself as well.”

Kirsti Rainville, a senior public relations major, appreciates the presence of a different genre and looks forward to Lakoda Rayne’s performance at The Pub.

“Their style and flare are different from most other performers Rider has booked for students,” Rainville said.

A lot of thought went into the group’s unusual name. Lakoda means allies, friendship and unity, while Rayne represents blessings from above.

Get those boots ready to stomp the floor and come out to see Lakoda Rayne performing at The Pub this Saturday at 8 p.m.