ELIZABETHTOWN — The only thing hotter than the evening temperatures on Thursday was the music from Jim Quick and Coastline Band, as they kicked off the annual Summer Sounds Concert Series at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market in downtown Elizabethtown.
An estimated 600 beach music lovers of all ages attended the kick-off concert, some armed with hand-held fans and umbrellas— many took advantage of the bottled water being distributed by employees of Four County EMC, the classic Italian ice from Sunset Slush and the beverages from the Bud beer tent.
Almost all of the early arrivals, with the temperature hovering around 94, grabbed a piece of the shade being offered by the Market’s pavilions or the towering nearby pines.
Linda Brisson of Dublin was one of those.
“I wanted to make sure I was in the shade,” she said about why she came early. “This is my first time and I’ve never heard this band, but I love beach music so I’m looking forward to seeing what this is all about.”
The energetic and animated Quick, who is a 16-time winner of the Carolina Music Awards Entertainer of the Year, and his Coastline Band didn’t disappoint.
From the fun “Beep, Beep!” to “Cleaning Windows” to “Sweet Mama Do Right” and “Something About Olivia” featuring Glen Tippett, the crowd was in a constant foot-tapping motion. And it didn’t take long for the line-dancers and couples to hit the dance area in front of the stage.
As the shadows began to grow longer, the Coastline Band revved up the evening with such classics as “Carolina Girls” and “Mustang Sally,” keeping the energy high.
John Mayberry of Whiteville was perfectly content in his seat under one of the pavilions, saying it was the music he came for.
“I’ll go anywhere the Coastline Band is,” he said. “I’ve followed them for a long time.”
Along with the music, Mayberry also said he was impressed with the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market setting.
“This is a nice venue,” he said. “I just wish there were some misters going. It’s hot.”
Up next for the Summer Sounds Concert Series — which is sponsored in part by the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce — will be music by the Motown Legacy Review on Thursday, July 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market. The concerts are free to the public.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163 or by email at cvincent@s24515.p831.sites.pressdns.com.
