WHITE LAKE —The Sunset Jams concert series is undergoing big changes this year.
According to Elizabethtown/White Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dawn Maynard, White Lake officials, having seen the success of the Summer Sounds concerts in Elizabethtown, began inquiring about getting some concerts in their town. Last year, the Chamber held the first Sunset Jams concert at Goldston’s Beach.
Sponsored in partnership with Southeastern Health, the concert drew such a crowd that other businesses got on board with the idea. With enough backing, they’re upping their game this year, according to Maynard.
“With the help of the property owners at Goldston’s Beach, we set up a new power source,” she informed. “The concerts will be closer to the waterfront between the restaurant and the arcade, so spectators looking at the band will see the lake in the background. I think it will set the whole theme — Sunset Jams — and really tie everything together nicely.”
In addition to improvements in setting, the Chamber is also giving the town more of what they want. Last year’s sole event has been expanded to a three-concert lineup.
Up first in the series is Holiday Band, a Chapel-Hill-based group known for its classic soul, R&B, beach music, and classic rock and roll. The full-time band performs over 150 shows throughout the Southeast each year, and has been seen at Lincoln Square in New York City, as well as on carnival Cruise Lines. They were last seen locally at the White Lake Water Festival street dance three years ago. With eight studio albums and numerous compilation records, the band has won Band of the Year at the Carolina Beach Awards and was inducted in 2015 into the Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame.
Two weeks later, Soul on the Beach will take the stage, performing beach music, Motown, country, and light rock. Touting itself as a band who can “play it all,” the group has a musical repertoire that includes Aaron Neville, the Beatles, BB King, Chicago, John Mellencamp, Marvin Gaye, and Roy Orbison, as well as the Four Tops, Temptations, Van Morrison, Santana and The Commodores.
Closing out the concert series will be the always popular North Tower. For over 35 years, the group has performed its own version of oldies, beach, top 40, and funk music. Known for its strong brass and tight vocals, the group performs all over the Southeast.
“I’m hoping Mother Nature will be as friendly to us as she has been in years past, and we’ll have outstanding weather,” Maynard said. “The community usually embraces the concerts, and I’m hoping they’ll do the same for this series.”
Sponsors for the series include Southeastern Health, Duke Energy, First Bank, Tatum REalty, First Source Staffing, and Sunset of Bladen.
The Sunset Jams concerts will take place on Thursday, June 1; Thursday, June 15; and Thursday, June 29 from 6-9 p.m. at Goldston’s Beach. All concerts are free to the public.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.