They were asked to be in a Budweiser commercial. You've seen them in a McDonald's commercial.
Saturday you'll see them at Ball State when the five-man a cappella group Fifth Element performs as part of UPB's Late Nite at Ball State program.
According to Mark Wojcinski, chairman of the event, this is the recreation program's second time to host a late night event.
"It was designed as an alternative to drinking on weekends. It's good (for students) to get out and get involved on campus," Wojcinski said.
Along with Fifth Element, Late Night will host a handful of other events including pool games, inflatable human foosball and a bench press contest. There will also be free food, which Wojcinski said always seems to attract a crowd.
Like past Late Nite events, Saturday's will be free and will include prizes such as sweatshirts and T-shirts.
"We don't want to make it too competitive," Wojcinski said. "But sometimes that's the nature of the beast."
The testimonial-driven group Fifth Element will perform from 10:30 to midnight. According to Fifth Element member Kenneth Garmon, the group has been singing since the five members came to Ball State in 1997.
What started out as R&B turned into gospel when they performed at a church several years ago. According to Garmon, the spirit moved them and they've been singing gospel since.
"God knew what he wanted each and every one of us to be," Garmon said. "We just got up there and we sang. The whole church was just shouting."
After they got over the initial shock, the phone calls started coming and took the group from zero to 60 within a matter of time. Budweiser called the group asking them to do a commercial, which caused the guys to re-evaluate what they were doing and why they were doing it. For Fifth Element, the answer was simple: How do you promote God in a beer commercial? They turned Budweiser down.
Fifth Element made its television commercial debut when they appeared in a McDonald's commercial which ran from June through November of last year. According to Garmon, the commercial has taken them to a totally different level professionally.
While on the verge of super stardom, the members of Fifth Element stayed in school while recognizing the value of a college education. Ternae Jordan graduated in July 2001 and Willy Baily in December. Abruc+à-+ Gregory, Garmon and his brother Otis Garmon still attend Ball State.
The group has made contacts throughout its extensive traveling and has record labels calling them from all directions. Although Garmon said they plan on selecting a label in the near future, they want to keep their options open and choose the label that will benefit them the most.
Garmon said they write and produce their own music and the testimony portrayed is usually what appeals to the audience.
"Each one of us has our own testimonies of where we come from," Garmon said.
According to Garmon, each member has survived hardships and overcome a past different than the lives they are now living. Jordan miraculously recovered from a gunshot wound in the head and Gregory raised his family when his father was sent to prison.
"We've done it all. We're not ashamed to say that because someone needs to hear that," Garmon said. "You can't say that you can't come out of a bad situation and make it. We're very dedicated. We know what our roles are in the group. We don't do this because of fame and fortune - we do it because we love it."
Late Nite will begin Saturday at Ball Gym at 9 p.m. and lasts until 1 a.m. Admission is free.
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