Rockingham will be rockin’ this summer.
The city has scheduled another season of great musical entertainment with the line-up for the 2013 Thursday Plaza Jam.
The popular outdoor concerts are free and staged on the hillside right next to Rockingham City Hall, at 514 Rockingham Road, the first Thursday of each month from May through October. The fun and entertainment continue from about 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This July’s concert will be on Wednesday, July 3, due to the Independence Day holiday.
“This is Plaza Jam’s 10th year and each year it grows,” said Kim Williams, Events Coordinator for the City of Rockingham.
“It’s a great family event. We have our regulars that have been coming for 10 years that sit in the same spot every concert. They come in the afternoon and sit their chairs out. I can look out my window and tell who the chairs belong to just by their location,” she said.
“Plaza Jam is such a success due to the great sponsors we have. We wouldn’t be able to book the quality bands that we do without the sponsors,” Williams said.
“We are very fortunate to have Dieffenbach, FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company, BB&T and Richmond County Tourism Development Authority as long term sponsors and we welcomed Farm Bureau Insurance as a sponsor this year.
“Everyone who enjoys the Plaza Jam series needs to make sure and thank these great sponsors,” she said.
Williams said the feedback she gets from concert goers is great, and some folks will even suggest bands.
Again this year AMVets will be providing hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue sandwiches, drinks, etc., for purchase.
“And as always, Plaza Jam is free to the public — bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets and come enjoy the music,” Williams said.
This year’s line-up consists of the following:
• May 2nd – The Tams – They have played Plaza Jam every year since 2005.
The Tams were formed in Atlanta, Ga., in the early ’60s. The Tams hard work, patience and perseverance eventually paid off when they were signed to Arlen records and had their first Billboard hit in 1962, the single “Untie Me,” which was number 12 on the R&B chart. In 1963, ABC Records signed them and their first album produced a Top Ten hit, “What Kind of Fool.” They began playing throughout the country and a string of hits followed. The current members include Charles Pope, his son Li’l Redd, Robert Arnold, Elton Richardson, Greg Gallashaw and Reginald Preston.
Rockingham Mayor Steve Morris said The Tams are “always a crowd favorite.”
• June 6th – Fantasy Band – Played Plaza Jam in 2005.
• July 3rd (Wednesday) – Atlantic Groove Band – This is a newly formed group.
Atlantic Groove, based out of Salisbury, N.C., is comprised of musicians with a combined average of 27 years professional experience. The band features five vocalists from the six members on stage to also include a two-piece horn section. Atlantic Groove has a wide variety of music in the most popular genres including Carolina Beach, R&B, Rock, Funk, Disco and Country. The band and each member professionally adapts to any venue whether it be a formal “black tie” event, business casual event, festival, clubs, or just a party.
• August 1st – Jim Quick & Coastline – They played Plaza Jam in 2009 and 2012.
• September 5th – Liquid Pleasure – They played Plaza Jam in 2006.
• October 3rd – Too Much Sylvia – They played Plaza Jam in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The band’s website boasts, “Too Much Sylvia has the desire and ability to please and play something that everyone will enjoy. Their fun, contagious personalities will touch all. Whether it’s a low key dinner setting or an energetic 80s party, the band easily adapts.”
— Editor John Charles Robbins can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 13, or by email at jrobbins@civitasmedia.com.
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