ROCKINGHAM — One of two bands making their debut at Plaza Jam kicks off the summer concert series Thursday.
The Tonez will hit the stage in Cole Plaza at 6:30 p.m., performing a wide range of music including oldies, Motown, rock, funk and even country.
The eight-piece band — with seven of the members as vocalists — features a horn section and a three-time Cammy-nominated core, according to the band’s website.
A promo video on the website features clips of the band performing the Temptations’ “Get Ready;” Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family;” Journey’s “Any Way You Want It;” The Embers’ “I Love Beach Music;” their own twist on Chris Stapleton’s cover of “Tennessee Whiskey,” which was originally recorded by David Allan Coe; Chicago’s “25 Or 6 To 4;” Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight;” and Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music,” among others.
“I’m excited to open the 2019 Plaza Jam series with The ToneZ, one of the new bands for this year’s lineup,” Rockingham Events Coordinator Kim Williams said Wednesday.
A major change for this year is that smoking will not be allowed on the plaza green, due to complaints last season.
But other things will remain the same.
Up the hill in the parking lot of Leath Memorial Library, food will be provided by AMVETS Post 316 and Twisted Treats will be serving up frozen confections to cool down from the summer heat. All the proceeds from Twisted Treats are donated back to Our Daily Bread and the city will be collecting cans of food for the local charity. T-shirts featuring this year’s lineup will also be available.
Also making a first appearance at Plaza Jam is North Tower Band, a group that has been touring the South for four decades, on Aug. 1.
The other bands scheduled for this year are no strangers to Rockingham: Too Much Sylvia on June 6; the Embers on July 3 (moved up a day due to the planned fireworks shows around the county in Hamlet, Ellerbe and at Rockingham Speedway); the Tams on Sept. 5; and the Blackwater Rhythm and Blues Band closes out the season Oct. 3.
The Tams have performed at every Plaza Jam since it began 16 years ago — including once on Little Redd’s birthday — according Williams.
All shows are free and open to the public and run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
