ROCKINGHAM – Last night’s penultimate Plaza Jam concert drew hundreds to downtown Rockingham to see The Tams.
Thursday’s night’s concert featuring The Tams seemed more of a celebration of the legacy of Plaza Jam than a simple concert with the group marking more than 20 years of performing in Rockingham as part of Plaza Jam.
“It’s been 21 years since I started coming here. I started coming here with my dad (Albert Cottle), and the legacy continues. I love Rockingham. They’ve been so good to me. It’s always a great crowd. The engery is there, and I love them,” said Albert “Lil Red” Cottle Jr.
Aside not attending in 2020, due to the event being canceled because of COVID-19, The Tams have been a part of every Plaza Jam since its inception in 2002.
“I can’t wait to come back for my 22nd year. It’s the people. The love is real. After 21 years, it’s magical. The City of Rockingham has been good to me, and my whole family. It will be 22 years next year, and I will see you next year – Rockingham,” Cottle Jr. said.
One person who looks forward to The Tams return in 2025 is City of Rockingham Events Planner Kim Williams said. With one more event before the city puts the summer concert series in the books, Williams believes Thursday’s show was the perfect time to bring in The Tams.
“It’s not Plaza Jam unless you have The Tams. It’s been 21 years. They’re a staple to our event. They have never missed a Plaza Jam. It would not be Plaza Jam without The Tams. I said something to Lil Red earlier, and he answered back ‘Yeah, we’re family.’ That’s what it feels like. They’ve been here so long,” Williams said.
As for the final show, The Embers featuring Craig Woodard will be dropping by Rockingham October 3. As another band with a rich history in Rockingham, Williams believes The Embers are the perfect band to wrap up the concert series.
“We’re excited for our next month’s concert. We hope and pray for this kind of weather. We could not ask for any better weather for [Thursday night’s concert. We start our, and we’re all begging. where’s the fan? Where’s the fans? Now, the leaves are changing and we have a huge crowd. I’m just excited about it,” Williams said.
Since launching the 2024 Plaza Jam last May, Williams said crowds for the event remained steady throughout the event. She credits the consistent crowds to developing a reputation of providing high quality entertainment to attendees, as well as a high quality venue and large crowds for the bands who participate.
“We had to build that. We had to show them we would bring them good, quality entertainment. The goal behind Plaza Jam is to bring bands and artists to Plaza Jam that you would have to travel and see. A lot of people ask ‘Why don’t you book so-and-so’s local band?’ That’s not the goal … When we do that, we bring other communities in. I bet half of that crowd is not from Richmond County,” Williams said.
As for the next concert, Williams said The Embers will not only enterain the crowd, but have their own fans who follow them from concert to concert.
“They’re a huge draw. They will bring their own fanbase with them … I have to work within dates that they have available. It worked out that they are our October band, just a happy coincidence,” Williams said.