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Wing Night artist’s humor and songs engages audience

By Shon Meade for The Yellow Jacket 4 min read

The Waynesburg Student Activities Board (SAB) held another Wing Night on Saturday, Dec. 6. Music artist Five Times August performed while students had a chance to wind down and relax before the upcoming final two weeks of the fall semester.

SAB also provided students with the opportunity to wash down their wings with root beer from the keg at the event.

Five Times August is the name of Bradley James Skistimas’ music project and features himself singing and playing guitar, along with a few other instruments for recorded works.

Recently, Skistimas has also been operating under the name Bradley James in another solo project, where he takes on the sounds of the 50s and 60s but puts on a modern twist. During the evening, he played songs from both of his works.

Five Times August opened by playing some of his original music, all acoustic in style. Students enjoyed the music while eating barbecue, garlic and hot wings.

A little into the performance “This Too Shall Pass,” which is the latest single that was put out by the artist in August, the attention of the audience was caught.

After a few of his original songs, Skistimas told the audience he wanted them to get up and dance while he played his own version of “Billy Jean,” originally performed by Michael Jackson.

“Billy Jean was my favorite song because I could sing along,” said freshman education major Brittany Faust.

Other songs that were played that weren’t his own original works were “Stand By Me” and “Don’t Look Back In Anger,” both with his own twist.

The show didn’t just have music and wings, though. Skistimas filled in the gaps between songs with some humor to relieve the awkward pauses, which brought smiles to the faces of those in the audience.

The day was a cold and rainy one, so he made sure to say “Waynesburrrrr.” Another notion was saying, “I love Waynesburg, it’s my favorite place” – after only being here a short while. His subtle comedy brought joy to those that came out.

The show ended on another original song after the audience got to choose if they wanted a rock-sounding song or a slow one.

“It was intimate in a big environment,” said Skistimas “I enjoyed playing for the Waynesburg students.”

As Five Times August, Skistimas recently put out a limited edition CD that is a companion to his newest single “This Too Shall Pass.” The package can be purchased on his website.

“I really enjoyed having time to hang with friends and relax from classes,” said freshman pre-med/biology major Victoria Tibbens. “It’s nice to have something to do on campus during the weekend.”

The songs – and the lyrics from them – “come from the subject matters, relationships and real life,” said Skistimas.

According to his website, Skistimas’ music has been featured on over 80 television shows, commercials and films. Stations that the shows were broadcast on ranged from MTV and The CW to ABC and Fox.

Sports Broadcasting major Mitch Ross hopes to see more people come out to these events.

“Nights like this are about coming out with friends and fellowshipping, forgetting about classes and just having a good time,” said Ross.

After the show, students had the opportunity to hang out, talk and also take pictures with Skistimas. A few students even serenaded him for a change, with song and dance, before his departure back home to Texas.

For those who enjoyed the concert and want to hear more, Five Times August’s music is available on iTunes and can also be listened to on Skistimas’ YouTube Channel.

“[SAB] invests a lot of time into planning these events and we hope more people come out to the next one,” said Kenny Kline, a senior accounting major and SAB member.

With an overabundance of wings left over after the show, students were allowed to leave with takeout containers filled with their favorite wings.

There is a plan to have at least two more wing night events scheduled for the spring semester.

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