ROCKINGHAM — The Embers are scheduled to return to Cole Plaza on Thursday to kick off the Plaza Jam summer concert series and Mother’s Day weekend — weather permitting.
The current forecast from the National Weather Service is predicting a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day and a 50% chance that night.
City Events Coordinator Kim Williams said she is keeping her fingers crossed and will continue to monitor the forecast and make a decision either Tuesday or Wednesday.
The legendary beach music band was founded as the Satellites in 1958 by drummer Bobby Tomlison and guitarist Jackie Gore and has been through several lineup changes in the past 60-plus years.
The Embers were among the inaugural Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame inductees in 1995 and were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
Frontman Craig Woolard, who also plays saxophone and flute, has been with the band on and off since the ‘70s in addition to his solo career.
Woolard reportedly suffered a mild stroke several months ago, but has since bounced back.
Plaza Jam is a free event with concerts held the first Thursday from May through October. The Tams, the only band to perform every year, will be making their 23rd consecutive appearance on Sept. 3.
Other bands on the list for the 2026 season are:
June 4 - Chocolate Chip and Company
July 2 - Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot
Aug. 6 - The Blackwater Band
Oct. 1 - Too Much Sylvia
Each show runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
