After two weeks of negotiation with Atlantic Records, it is finally settled: The opening act for Tuesday's Sugar Ray Centennial Hall concert will be Tucson's own Sunday Afternoon.

Atlantic, Sugar Ray's record company, had originally allowed University Activities Board Concerts to select the opening act for the concert, said JJ Kruglick, director of UABconcerts.

Kruglick and company chose Sunday Afternoon for the job, and notified the band of the opportunity.

Shortly thereafter, Atlantic informed Kruglick that it wanted the show opened by one of its own newly signed acts. UABconcerts, in turn, sent press kits to Sugar Ray's management, pushing to keep Sunday Afternoon on the bill for the concert.

Meanwhile, Sunday Afternoon waited for a decision on the matter.

"One minute we were playing, one minute we weren't," said regional development senior Joey Unger, guitarist and vocalist for the band. "JJ (Kruglick) told us, 'It's going to be you guys vs. Atlantic Records, and the odds are not in your favor.'"

Finally, Sugar Ray's management decided to rebook Sunday Afternoon, though neither Kruglick nor Unger know exactly what changed their minds.

Although Unger and the band play an average of four to eight gigs a month, this will be the first time the group has opened for an artist as famous as Sugar Ray.

"I'm nervous, actually," Unger said. "We play for three, four, 500 people (at a time). This is like 2,500. I don't know what that's like."

Unger attributes Sunday Afternoon's success in part to the opening of Plush, a venue where it has played several gigs in the past, and where it will celebrating the release of its new CD, Stories, Friday at 9 p.m. He also cites UA as playing a crucial role in the band's growth.

"We love playing on campus because it's really the only time we get to play to an under-21 crowd," Unger said.

Sunday Afternoon's material has been likened to such bands as the Dave Matthews Band and Barenaked Ladies. As for the group's influences, "There are six of us, and each will tell you different things," Unger said. "Everybody's got their own influences, and that's the beauty of it."

Tickets are still available for the Sugar Ray concert. Sunday Afternoon will take the stage at 7:30 p.m, at Centennial Hall.