George Grove of the Kingston Trio is much more than just the "banjo player."

"I'm the sex symbol," Grove said.

Even though the 60-year-old banjo player is joking, fans can make up their own minds 8 p.m. Sunday at the State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., as the Kingston Trio performs songs from its extensive catalogue that spans 50 years. In that time, the Trio has had 10 Top 40 hits and four albums in the top-10 selling albums list at one time -- a record unmatched for nearly 40 years.

"Personally, I think they're fun and upbeat," Kristy Cyone, marketing and sales manager of the State Theatre, said. "The music that they do appeals to such a wide range of ages. It's a great family show, too."

For Will Nichols (sophomore-animal science) the event truly will be a family affair -- Nichols learned of the group through his father.

"My dad is the ultimate Kingston Trio fan in our family, so I made sure we got tickets right up front to see them," Nichols said. "Kingston Trio is one of the sounds I remember from growing up."

Grove also listened to the Trio while growing up. Grove got his hands on the Trio's second record -- 1959's ...from the Hungry I -- when he was a child. Having already been interested in music, the album only strengthened Grove's enthusiasm.

"It just mesmerized me," Grove said. "I knew at that point that, not only was I going to be a professional musician, but I was going to be in that group."

When the Trio's guitarist, Bill Zorn, took a hiatus from the group in 1976, Grove got his chance. Thirty-two years later, he is the second-longest running member of the group next to Bob Shane, one of the founding members. For Grove, the Trio has been one of the most important parts of his life.

"My entire life has been spent in this group," Grove said. "This group has been the one steady relationship that I've had throughout my life. Because I had this to cling to I was able to almost effortlessly go through the other problems."

Grove said the constant, comforting relationship the band's music has provided for its fanbase is one of the main reasons for its longevity.

"Part of the reason that this group, after 50 years, is still out there on the road is that this music is very soothing. If [long-time fans] were to turn their radios on right now and listen to contemporary music, there's nothing there for them. Hip-hop means absolutely nothing to people over the age of 40," Grove said, quickly adding he isn't criticizing hip-hop specifically.

Having formed in 1957, one could make the claim the band's music appeals mostly to an older generation, but there are always indications of a younger generation in the crowd, Grove said.

"Nowadays when we do a concert, we look out into the audience and check out how many are blue hairs and how many are younger people and there's always a few younger people in the audience," Grove said.

It's clear the Trio appreciates its fans, young or old. Grove said after every show, the group meets their fans at the merchandise table. In doing so, Grove meets many young people who tell him they developed an interest in the band after downloading its songs.

"It's absolutely wonderful to collect new fans any way you can," Grove said. "Because this group is 50 years old, having that outlet, such as the Internet, in which people can find out about the group is very beneficial."

Nichols, one of those younger fans, is impressed by more than just the Trio's talent.

"They impress me not only with their musicality but their showmanship," Nichols said. "They seem like they're great guys."