ROCKINGHAM - Beach music lovers in Richmond County listened to almost 30 songs on Thursday evening, August 9 as The Fantastic Shakers performed at Cole Plaza in Rockingham after being “rained out” on August 2. The band is made up of seven members, and most of them have been part of the group for almost 40 years, first playing together in September of 1978.
Well known as “The South’s Finest Show Band,” The Fantastic Shakers were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Lead singer Bo Schronce has been named the Male Vocalist of the Year four times, the band has been named Show Group of the Year, and their recordings have been named Album of the Year three times. They have performed from New York to Florida and throughout the Southeast.
Other band members include Pat Carpenter on guitar, Doug Winstead on bass trombone, Jeff Swafford on trumpet, John Franklin on trombone and keyboard, and Freddy Tripp on trumpet and keyboards; in addition, these gentlemen sing also. Norman Allred focuses on the drums.
The band opened up with “Ten Ways of Loving You” with Bo singing, dressed neatly in a black dress shirt, black slacks, and a white plaid tie. Other well- known favorites followed: “Hold Back the Night”; “You’re More Than a Number”; and “Big Boss Man.” Freddy Tripp sang a sweet “Lady Soul” solo, and Pat Carpenter sang “I’ll Be Around” while playing the guitar. Bo then sang a special request “Where Do I Go," followed by John Franklin leading “Dance Dance Dance.” The crowd responded well to “Carolina Girls” and “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” and “The Cupid Shuffle.”
Following a short break, The Fantastic Shakers returned to the stage as the weather had cooled down slightly from the heat of the day. Some of their requested songs they shared with the large crowd included “Sick and Tired”; “Shaking the Shack”; “Hot Nights”; “Something Said Love”; and “Back That Thang Up,” acting out this song quite comically to the delight of those watching closely.
A well-known Willie Nelson classic, “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground,” was next on the playlist for lead Bo Schronce, and this was also a special request. Then it was “time to get funky” and John Franklin led the song “Play That Funky Music,” which was followed by “Let’s Groove Tonight” as line dancers enjoyed those selections. Classic beach songs “Miss Grace” and “Summertime’s Calling Me” preceded the last song of the evening, “Uptown Funk,” which brought the Plaza Jammers to their feet.
The Fantastic Shakers thanked all those who had turned out for the concert, and from all the positive accolades heard by this reporter, this concert should definitely be considered a success.
The next Plaza Jam is scheduled for Thursday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m. The Embers, with Craig Woolard, celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, will be performing at Cole Plaza in Rockingham. Make sure to put in on your calendar—this is a concert you don’t want to miss!
