ROCKINGHAM — The 2024 season of the Plaza Jam Concert Series kicks off this week with the return of Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot.
The band will take the stage in Cole Plaza — between City Hall and Leath Memorial Library — at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Clear skies are in the forecast for Thursday evening — a relief for Events Coordinator Kim Williams — with temperatures in the upper 80s and a light breeze.
Frontman Gary Lowder also plays trumpet, flugelhorn and percussion and is a former member of the Entertainers, who performed at Plaza Jam in 2022 and 2023.
Lowder was nominated by the Carolina Beach Music Association for CD and Song of the Year in 2012 for “Coastin” and nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year the following year, according to the band’s website. He won Male Vocalist in 2021.
Keyboardist Harold Smith was honored in 2023 by the CBMA as the top instrumentalist.
Other awards include:
- Solo Album – “Soul Therapy” – 2013
- Collaboration/Duo – “Private Number” (listed as Marsha Morgan Band featuring Gary Lowder) – 2013
- Song – “Should Have Been Loving You” – 2017
- Group Album – “Soul on Fire” – 2020
The band, based out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was originally scheduled for both the 2020 and 2021 series, but both shows were canceled due to government restrictions on mass gatherings in response to the Covid pandemic.
However, the band fired up the 2023 season, scorching through a variety of beach, R&B and classic rock hits including originals and covers.
Click here to see photos from the 2023 show.
Chocolate Chip and Company will make their third appearance in the Plaza Jam series June 6, followed by the return of the North Tower Band on July 3.
On Aug. 1, Too Much Sylvia will be back in Cole Plaza for the first time since 2019. The Tams are scheduled for their 21st consecutive Plaza Jam show on Sept. 5 and the Embers will close out the season Oct. 3.
