More than 6,000 people gathered Friday night at the Convocation Center for a honky-tonk sing-a-long.

Brooks & Dunn fans flocked to the arena for the first concert sellout in the arena’s history.

From the start, Brooks & Dunn encouraged the audience to get out of their seats and participate.

There weren’t any giveaways at the door, but throughout the show, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn kept the audience involved by throwing as many things into the crowd as possible.

Cowboy hats, water bottles, T-shirts and drum sticks were some of the paraphernalia thrown to the fans.

Jaquelyn Spraker drove 12 hours from Tulsa, Okla., just to see Brooks & Dunn perform.

“I got hit in the head with a drum stick by Ronnie Dunn, and I didn’t even get to keep it. Regardless, it was a great show,” Spraker said.

The audience wasn’t the typical college crowd.

Oak Forest resident Diana Vandenoever attended the show with her daughter-in-law, two daughters and two granddaughters.

“Every time Brooks & Dunn comes to town, I go and see them. I love their entertainment,” Vandenoever said.

Kevin Selover, marketing director for the Convocation Center, said he will stick to his show-booking methods.

“Our main focus is the students. We are going to keep booking shows that cater to them,” Selover said. “When a country show comes to DeKalb, the community responds.”

Selover said the community response also benefits local businesses.

“It wasn’t only a success for the university but for the community as well. Any time you get 6,000-plus people in town, it benefits the hotels and the restaurants,” Selover said.