ROCKINGHAM — The Plaza Jam summer concert series will start a month later this year.
City Events Coordinator Kim Williams said in an email Monday afternoon that the first show for 2021 will be in June, following last week’s announcement by Gov. Roy Cooper that he plans to ease state COVID restrictions starting June 1.
In anticipation of that easement, Williams said the city plans to have The Entertainers take the stage from 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 3 at Cole Plaza.
“We appreciate your continued support for one of our favorite summer traditions and look forward to seeing you all in June!” Williams said in the statement, which was also posted to Facebook.
Had the restrictions been lifted earlier, the series would have started May 6 with Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot. Lowder is a former member of The Entertainers.
The city wound up canceling every performance last year because of restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
This year’s schedule mirrors that of 2020 with Craig Woolard and the Embers performing in July, followed by The Tonez in August, the Tams in September, and the North Tower Band closing out the season in October.
The Tams have performed at every Plaza Jam since it started, according to Williams, even playing the day after frontman Little Redd’s birthday one year.
The North Tower Band made its Plaza Jam debut in 2019 and The Entertainers last performed in 2017. Lowder is a former member of The Entertainers.
While live music took a hit due to the pandemic, Cole Auditorium hosted several “carcerts” in late 2020, with bands performing in front of the building and spectators staying in or near their vehicles.
This year, the Cole is hosting a new outdoor series: Live @the Lake.
That series kicks off this Friday with bluegrass/gospel group Caroline.
Other performances slated for the series, announced in a press release earlier Monday, are:
- Singer/songwriter and RichmondCC student Taylor Bowersock on May 7
- Five-piece band Beach Fever on May 14
- Local singer/songwriter Heather Henry and opening act Madison Watts, a RichmondCC student, on May 21
Beach Fever performed its very first gig at the Berry Patch earlier this year.
For those who can’t wait until May or June to get their beach music fix, Terri Gore, “the Original Carolina Girl,” will be singing from 6-9 p.m. April 29 at the Berry Patch.
Terri Gore and Jim Quick pose for a photo at The Berry Patch in September 2020. RO file photo
Gore has a beach music pedigree as the daughter of Embers co-founder Jackie Gore, and made a name for herself in the business, releasing her first single in 1988 and winning Female Vocalist of the Year in the Carolina Beach Music Awards for five consecutive years — including a tie with Ruby Andrews in 1998. She also won twice for Solo Album and once for Duo Recording.
But her beach music connections don’t stop there. She’s also married to Daryle Lemonds of The Sand Band.
Gore and Lemonds, who live in Moore County, have been to several shows at the Berry Patch.
Country singer Erik Hawks will return to Hudson Brothers Deli on Friday; and Double Vision reopens Saturday, May 1 with the Justin Anderson Band.
