John Naparlo is dropping out of school to go on the road again.
Naparlo, whose stage name is Johnny Napp, left the James Madison basketball team before the season to pursue his country music career and is now leaving school to do the same. He is working with a producer named Eric Paul, who has also worked with Willie Nelson and Billy Joel, according to Naparlo.
"Right now was when the opportunity presented itself," he said.
Naparlo, whose grade-point average was consistently over a 3.0 at JMU, said he will return to school later to finish his degree. He said he is two semesters away from his diploma.
He continues to play shows, and is opening up for yet another national act tonight at the Norva in Norfolk. Billy Currington, whose song "Must Be Doin' Something Right" was No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart last week, will headline the show.