Gary Gangi
Pulse reporter

Once dismissed as "one hit wonders," it has been more than seven years since Matchbox Twenty appeared in the mainstream music scene with their chart-topping hit, "Push." The release of their third album, "More Than You Think You Are," has sent the band on a tour across the country. Matchbox Twenty plays the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau with Fountains of Wayne Sunday.

The concert has been chosen to be filmed for VH1's music reality show, "VH1's YOU ROCK withΣ" will document one chosen fan or musician's opportunity to join their favorite band for one song live on stage. This weekend's Matchbox Twenty show will be televised on the new series. Auditions have already been held for the fan/musician to be featured at the show.

Those who auditioned had to perform the Matchbox Twenty song, "Bright Lights," as well as another Matchbox song of their choosing. In addition to being talented, the fan/musician had to prove their devotion to the band. The chosen fan/musician will be revealed at the Show Me Center concert.

Matchbox Twenty has had a successful development in rock music. Named the "Best New Band" by Rolling Stone's 1997 reader's poll. The band continued to please fans with the continued acclamation and awards such as three Grammy Awards and two Billboard Songwriter of the Year honors. Opening and touring for Matchbox Twenty this weekend will be Fountains of Wayne, who have respectively become "masters of the three-minute pop song."

The band was named in Entertainment Weekly's "It List: The Top 100 most creative people in entertainment" for 2002. The October 2003 issue of GQ magazine placed Fountains of Wayne as one of the 50 best albums of the new century. The band's latest hit, "Stacy Mom," hit #1 on VH1's Top Twenty Countdown.

The pairing of Matchbox Twenty and Fountains of Wayne seem ideal an ideal tour for college students, who collectively make up a large demographic for the performers.

"I bought my tickets a month ago," Sarah Glen, a sophomore in psychology, said. "It's not too often you get to see these types of quality bands in this area. I would have traveled to St. Louis for a show like this, but SEMO will be just as fun."

Matchbox Twenty plays at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Show Me Center in Cape Giradeau, Mo. All tickets are $35.00. Tickets can be purchased at www.showmecenter.biz or by phone at (573) 651-5000.