(Columbia, Tenn.- February 17, 2012) - - - Hampshire resident and recent CMT star, Wynn Varble and his band, Refried Howdy, will be returning to the Cherry Theater stage on Thursday, March 15 as a part of the First Farmers Performance Series.

"Not only is Wynn a gifted songwriter and singer, he's a local favorite. The last time Wynn performed as a part of the First Farmers Performance Series, it was to a sold out audience," said Beth Duffield, Director of Community Events at Columbia State Community College. "Wynn's great music and knee slapping humor make him a crowd favorite. Tickets are selling quickly," continued Duffield.

Varble, who first picked up a guitar at the age of 15, had his first number one hit song in 2003 with "Have you Forgotten," with Darryl Worley. His most recent song to reach number one on the country singles chart is "I'm a Little More Country" recorded by Easton Corbin. Both of these songs were nominated as Song of the Year. In 2011 Varble was chosen as a finalist for CMT's Next Superstar.

Individual tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. To charge tickets by phone, call (931) 540-2879. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are accepted. Tickets can also be purchased at the Columbia State Community College ticket office in the Pryor Administration building, Room 108, Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The ticket booth will open one hour prior to each performance in the Waymon L. Hickman Building, Room 100A. All performances in the series will be in the Cherry Theater, located in the Waymon L. Hickman building on the Columbia campus.

The 2011-2012 Performance Series is made possible by our sponsors, First Farmers Bank, and the Columbia State Community College Foundation.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation.