ELIZABETHTOWN — On the heels of the successful, first-ever Sunset Jams concert series at White Lake, the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce isn’t wasting any time continuing to bring good music to Bladen County.

On Thursday, the annual Summer Sounds Concert Series will kick off at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market in downtown Elizabethtown with the music of Jim Quick & Coastline.

Dawn Maynard, the executive director for the Chamber, said she has worked closely with the Oz Agency and David Hicks, a member of The Band of Oz, in selecting bands to perform in both White lake and Elizabethtown.

“(They) work closely with other event planners in surrounding communities that also host ‘Alive after Five’ concert series,” she said. “This working relationship helps assure we are not all booking the same bands too closely together. This works well since we have folks that attend several concert series within a 60-mile radius from each other through out the summer.”

Coastline is a self-described “genuine swamp soul” group with such classic hits as “Sweet Mama Do Right,” “Mississippi Mud,” “Sugar Cookies,” “My Little Lucy,” “It’s Summertime,” “Swamps of the Old Santee,” “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay” and “I’m Looking For A Love.”

Quick, as the band’s lead singer, has been a recipient of the Carolina Music Awards “Entertainer Of The Year Award” – a total of 16 times.

As the kick-off to the Summer Sounds Concert Series nears, Maynard said she thinks the Sunset Jams series wlil benefit the upcoming four-concert series in ELizabethtown.

“I do think the success of the Sunset Jams held at the lake will carry over into the Summer Sounds concert series,” she said. “I also think the success of the Sunset Jams was spilled over from the overwhelming success of the Summer Sounds series over the last few years. Folks enjoy these concerts and seem to be supporting them at both venues.”

The Summer Sounds series, after Thursday’s opening act, will continue Thursday, July 27, with the music of Legacy Motown Review; then on Thursday, Aug. 10, with the sounds of The Band of Oz; and finish up with the finale on Thursday, Aug. 24, with the local Blackwater Rythym & Blues. All four concerts will run from 6 to 9 p.m.

The concerts will include a beer tent, along with several booths by some of the event sponsors.

“I want people to know that the concerts are free, parking is available beside the Cape Fear Farmers Market, Broad Street, and plentiful behind the merchant stores across the street,” Maynard added. “Chairs are welcome, coolers are prohibited, and if you’re shopping the produce stands or Burney’s, you must remove your car from the venue before 5 p.m.”

Maynard said she is looking forward to the Summer Sounds Concert Series — and hpoes Mother Nature will cooperate.

“I am excited mostly about the line-up this year.” she said. “I simply have my fingers crossed that Mother Nature is kind to us (and) this annual event should be an overwhelming success for our community.”

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163 or by email at cvincent@s24515.p831.sites.pressdns.com.

Courtesy photo Jim Quick and Coastline will open the Summer Concert Series in Elizabethtown on Thursday at the Cape Fear farmer’s Market.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_CoastlineBand.jpgCourtesy photo Jim Quick and Coastline will open the Summer Concert Series in Elizabethtown on Thursday at the Cape Fear farmer’s Market.

W. Curt Vincent

Bladen Journal