2010 Downtown Concert Series
Presented by
Pride of Kinston
April 29—The Donald Underwood Thompson Band
This concert is a prelude to the Sand in the Streets Series, and takes place during the Festival on the Neuse.
The Donald Underwood Thompson Band delivers rousing versions of blues, vintage rhythm ‘n’ blues, and classic rock, entertaining and delighting audiences of all ages wherever they go. The band’s colorful stage attire harkens back to the “cool threads” worn by the artists of the 1930s and '40s. Couple this look with dynamic vocals, hot guitars, wailing harmonica, and in-the-groove drumming and you’ve got a treat for both eyes and ears. Fans often comment on the band’s energy and the good-time feeling they emit.
So come see and hear them for yourself. You won't be able to keep your toes from tapping!
The band was recently selected to perform in the Smithsonian Institution’s touring presentation New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music. The concert series comes to North Carolina in August, 2010.
Donald Underwood Thompson is known for his bluesy vocals and lively performances. He has entertained for festivals, colleges, television audiences, theaters, and arts council events. He has shared venues with artists such as four-time Grammy winner David Holt, The Dillards (known as The Darlings on the Andy Griffith Show) and North Carolina’s own Molasses Creek. Donald is also a songwriter and his Chicago-style blues number “Wishie, Washie Woman” has received airplay on Nation Public Radio (NPR) affiliate stations.
June 3—Jupiter Jones
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Listen to a sample. "Copperhead Road"
Jupiter Jones is a five-piece party/variety band from Greenville, NC. The group was voted Best Local Band by the readers of Greenville's Mixer Magazine in it's first year of existence, 2008. The versatile lineup includes violin, guitar, and keyboards along with both male and female vocals. Jupiter Jones plays a mix of rock, country, beach, 80's and dance music from the oldies up tthrough today's hits. Playing clubs, festivals, concert venues, and private functions the band has entertained audiences across North Carolina and beyond. People of all ages are bound to hear a song they love when Jupiter Jones hits the stage.
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Listen to a sample. "Fantasy"
Some veteran bands seem ageless. As many fans would attest, The Four Knights Band fits into that category. The Four Knights Band, from their humble beginnings (four originally), to the seven that now grace the stage together, have been the epitome of what happens when great musicians and great songs come together.
The group features 4 lead vocalist, Harold, Donald, Marty, And Steve. With a front line-up of horns, under the direction of Harold Smith, this band commands attention at all events: WEDDINGS, CONVENTIONS, CORPORATE EVENTS. Their repertoire ensures that everyone has a great time.
This band has performed with: Johnny Gill (New Edition), Sister Sledge (We are Family), The Beach Boys, Rose Bonanza (Las Vegas) . With client references from Michael Jordan, Lt Gov. of Kentucky, Stargell Org., Joe Torres (N.Y. Yankees) and many others, this is the Band that stood out from the rest.
www.fourknightsband.zoomshare.com
July 1—Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs
In 1955 Maurice formed his first band, The Royal Charms. who
immediately began winning local talent shows and playing high school
proms. In 1957 the group changed its name to The Gladiolas. Maurice
composed a song titled "Little Darlin" which The Gladiolas recorded
in Nashville for the Excello label. It was an immediate hit and due to
its strength in the South, a nationally famous recording group, The
Diamonds, did a cover version of the song and it zoomed to the top of
the charts. "Little Darlin” established Maurice Williams as one of the top
songwriters in the business. According to The Diamonds' lead singer,
Dave Sommerville, it was one of the top 5 selling songs of the 1950's.
The Gladiolas' name was changed to Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
and in 1960 in Columbia, SC they recorded Maurice's song "Stay." It
was released on the Herald label and went to number one on the national
charts where it "stayed" that entire summer. The success of "Stay" and
appearances on national TV shows like The Mery Griffin Show and
American Bandstand established Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs
as one of the hottest performing groups in the country. "To this day," says
Maurice, " when I hear Mr. Henry (Shane) Gaston wail the high part, I still get the chills." Other successful tunes followed, including "I Remember" (1961) and the classic "May I," (1964).
July 15—The Grass Cats
After performing primarily in North Carolina for the past 10 years and releasing six very successful CD’s, The Grass Cats bring their lively foot-stomping fiddle and banjo music, bluegrass classics, tight vocal harmonies and “a capella” style gospel quartets to Sand in the Streets.
Songwriter and mandolin player Russell Johnson started The Grass Cats with original members Tim Woodall (banjo) and Chris Hill (fiddle) in 1997. Russell’s soaring tenor compliments guitarist Steven Martin’s richly textured country-tinged lead vocal. Lloyd Herring, the Cats bass player or Tim add the third part harmony that is such a big part of the Cats vocal arsenal.
July 29—Carolina Beach Club
Honoring the Pride of Kinston Board of Directors
Since 1989, the Carolina Beach Club has performed their special brand of 'island beach music' from our nations capitol to the Virgin Islands, Lower Antilles and across to Mexico.
They have performed on 10 Carnival Cruise Ships and 3 resorts in Cancun, Mexico.
They have recorded 9 albums and will be releasing their 10th in April, a memorial album to their late friend, 107.9fm personality, Jerry Wayne. Their music has been heard on fm radio throughout the Eastern Seaboard and on internet radio worldwide.
The band has performed with Grammy winners Lou Rawls, Delbert McClinton, Clarence Carter and the Chairmen of the Board and they have shared the stage with legendary groups as the Embers, Band of Oz, Coastline Band, the Drifters and the Spinners.
August 12—The Embers
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Back to School Night
After seventeen albums and numerous single releases, The Embers are one of the most popular bands as well as one of the most active groups in the country. The new generation of the group consistently sustains an average of three hundred dates per year reaching every corner of the world. Their performances have captivated audiences of all ages and walks of life, which include presidents, princes, celebrities, students, and bankers.
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Listen to a sample. "Hits Medley"
Honoring the Lenoir/Greene United Way Annual Campaign
The Band of Oz was formed in 1967 as a part-time band playing fraternity parties and high school proms all over the South. In 1977 the band went on the road full time. Since that time the band has made an exceptional name for itself throughout the Southeast by playing the top clubs and corporate parties, and getting excellent reviews along the way. For several years the group has been a guest on most of the major beach concerts in the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia.
The Band of Oz is one of the most successful groups in the Southeast, and continues to get the very best reviews. The band now features a full horn section to total a dynamic eight-member group - beach music at its finest. (The Band of Oz started in Grifton, NC.)
(As of March 2, 2010)
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Pride of Kinston • 327 North Queen Street • Kinston, NC 28501• (252)
522-4676
Located in the Kinston Enterprise Center
Artist Bruce D. Ziegler has generously made available to Pride his portrait of
downtown Kinston as signature for Pride's website.