Augusta native Eric Lee Beddingfield is a Georgia Southern University graduate who is on a tour of a lot of other Southern colleges.

On Aug. 21, he played at Georgia Tech. Tonight, he performs at his alma mater, then hits the road for performances at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 12; Ole Miss in Jackson, Miss., on Sept. 19; the University of Georgia in Athens on Sept. 26; and Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., on Sept. 27.

"Sometimes it feels like that movie Groundhog Day, where things keep repeating," he said in a call from a truck stop between Nashville and Chattanooga. "I'm doing the same high-energy show for the same-looking college kids, only they're wearing different colors depending on what campus it is."

Mr. Beddingfield, who grew up in Dearing, Ga., takes a break from the campus tour Saturday when he performs at the Country Club nightclub, 2834 Washington Road. Cover charge is $5 for men and $3 for women.

Joining him are his band members: Corey Smith, lead guitar; Jake Hallman, keyboards (and also an excellent photographer); Tony Mason, drums; John Gioiello, bass guitar; and Daryl Preston, lead guitar.

I met Mr. Beddingfield seven years ago when he was majoring in business at Georgia Southern and had out his first CD, County Line , which early showed he had stardom potential.

His current single, Nowhere U.S.A. , is in heavy play on radio stations nationwide. He performed a benefit show in January at Nashville's Wild Horse Saloon with Ronnie Dunn, Jessica Andrews, Dierks Bentley and Lady Antebellum.

On Tuesday, Mr. Beddingfield will perform a showcase concert in Nashville for Universal South Records that could lead to a recording deal with that company.

"Artistically, I feel so much better than even five years ago," he said. "Ten years ago, I thought I was ready for anything and everything. But as the years have passed, I've been constantly improving.

"My dad (Augusta lawyer Elwyn Beddingfield) used to tell me, 'An ounce of persistence is worth more than a pound of skill.' I personally think, if you wake up each day and do what you want to do with your life, then you're a rich man."

Turning 30 in June wasn't such a big deal, he said, "after getting over the scary part in knowing that you just hit that number." He added, "I still feel 15."

There is so much joy in his life with his wife, Jessica, a special-education teacher from Twin City, Ga., and their nearly 1-year-old son, Eric Lee Jr.

One of the fun things he is looking forward to is being at the International Dairy Convention in Madison, Wis., on Sept. 29.

"I'll be on a radio show there that is syndicated to more than 200 different stations," he said, "and I'm going to entertain some of the convention sponsors with an acoustic set."