ROCKINGHAM — Thursday night will be a time for Richmond County residents to “Be young, be foolish, but be happy.”
Legendary R&B group The Tams will take the stage as Plaza Jam, the city’s summer outdoor concert series, comes to a close.
The Atlanta-based group was founded in 1960 and had several top 10 hits. They have been honored with two gold records and several awards and were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, according to their website.
Leading the group is Albert “Little Redd” Cottle, son of original member Charles Pope, who has been performing since he was 6 years old.
The Tams have performed at every Plaza Jam since it started 15 years ago, according to Events Coordinator Kim Williams. Last year, she said, they played the day after Little Redd’s birthday.
Their backing band, the 14 Karat Gold Band, will kick things off with a 30-minute set before the group members come on donning their namesake tam o’shanters, performing their hit songs including “What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)” and “I’ve Been Hurt.”
“Little Redd will put on a show,” Williams said. “I love watching him.”
Each year when the group comes to town, Redd does a mid-air split jumping from the stage and walks through the audience and along the brick wall of Cole Plaza.
Looking back on the season, Williams said there has been a “great, great turnout.”
The Fantastic Shakers had to be rescheduled in August due to the threat of afternoon thunderstorms and a quick shower moved through last month before the Embers played, but otherwise, Williams said, the weather has been cooperative.
“Our crowd has really picked up,” she said, estimating there were about 1,000 people in the audience for the September show. This year, Williams added, has had the biggest crowds in the series’ 15-year run.
Although the 2018 season hasn’t quite ended, Williams said she already has next year’s lineup ready to go — but is staying tight-lipped until Thursday.
“I have a hard time because I have so many bands that are wanting to come,” she said.
According to Williams, one of the members of The Entertainers compared the venue to downtown Charlotte and complimented the way the acoustics rise up the hill.
What she would say about the 2019 season is that smoking will no longer be allowed on the plaza green due to numerous complaints this year.
Thursday’s show starts at 6:30 p.m. and the city is collecting non-perishable foods for Our Daily Bread.
“Bring your lawn chairs,” Williams said, “and get ready for Little Redd.”
