ROCKINGHAM — Plaza Jam is now in its 16th year, and residents of Richmond County haven’t gotten enough Sylvia yet.
Beach band Too Much Sylvia will return on Thursday, June 6 for their ninth straight year as part of the outdoor summer concert series — and for the second time this year, having performed at a Richmond County Chamber of Commerce event in February.
The four-piece band features Rick Lee on keyboards and vocals, Steve Long on guitar and vocals, Eddie Howie on bass guitar and vocals and Don Leonard on drums. Their first official gig was in 1991 at Pfeiffer University, with Leonard joining them in the early 2000s.
According to the band’s website, 2019 marks Too Much Sylvia’s 28th year in the business, and by the end of the year they will have played more than 3,000 shows. It was also announced in early May by 94.9 FM “The Surf” that the band will be inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Association’s Hall of Fame this upcoming November.
In addition, Too Much Sylvia was honored with four Cammy Awards last November by CBMA, including Song of the Year for “Got The Rhythm,” Group Album of the Year for “Throw Me A Rope” and Writer and Producer of the Year to Lee at the Alabama Theater in North Myrtle Beach.
“Whether it’s a low-key dinner setting, an energetic party, a festival with all ages attending, the band easily adapts,” reads their website. “By not working from a ‘set list,’ 2MS has the ability to ‘feel the mood,’ pace the song selection and provoke audience interaction to reach a peak at the right moment.”
Kim Williams, events director for the City of Rockingham, said Tuesday that it’s too far out to rely on the forecast to try and predict the weather.
“We’re staying positive and praying for great weather,” said Williams. “If weather becomes an issue, we’ll work with Too Much Sylvia to try and reschedule. We have a great lineup again this year, and it’s all possible because of our sponsors. Rick Lee and all the guys with Too Much Sylvia are great to work with and put on an awesome high-energy show.”
The band will hit the stage with their original and cover songs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on June 6 at Cole Plaza in downtown Rockingham. The event is free and open to the public.
