2008 outdoor concerts designated as 'military appreciation' events

Sand in the Streets off

To a Swinging Start

A view of some of the fans who streamed into Neuseway Park June 12 to soak up the beach music dispensed by General Johnson and the Chairman of the Board...launching the first of the 2008 Sand in the Streets concert series.

A gentle breeze gathered force over Neuseway Park Thursday afternoon (June 12, 2008), clearing the park of nasty smelling smoke which had hovered over Kinston most of the day. By 6:30 pm, the breeze and throngs of ecstatic fans were ready to bring on Chairman of the Board, launching the best attended Sand in the Streets concert so far in the five-year history of the event.

SUMMER'S HERE! General Johnson and the Chairman of the Board kicked off the 2008 Sand in the Streets summer concert series June 12, 2008 in Kinston's Neuseway Park. Lead singer General Johnson with partner Ken Knox over his left shoulder and Danny Woods off his right captivated throngs of fans during the first concert of the season.

By the time the famed beach music ensemble took the stage, the park - on the banks of a shimmering Neuse River-- was filled to near capacity, and the smoke, which has enveloped much of eastern North Carolina on and off since June 1, was forgotten. The smoke came from a giant wildfire in the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in the coastal counties of Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington. More than 40,000 acres have burned in the fire, producing smoky conditions as far west as the Research Triangle area of the state.

Chairman of the Board's starring trio, General Johnson, Ken Knox and Danny Woods wowed an exuberant crowd which applauded the announcement that the 2008 Sand in the Streets concert series have been designated military appreciation events. "We want to honor the services and sacrifices of the thousands of military men and women who call Eastern North Carolina home," Pride director Adrian King said in making the announcement.

The event sponsor for the Chairman of the Board concert was R.A. Jeffreys Distributing Company of Goldsboro. The Jeffreys company and all other sponsors of Sand in the Street were highlighted during opening moments of the concert.

The rest of the summer schedule:

• July 10: Liquid Pleasure
• July 24: The Grass Cats
• July 31: The Embers
• Aug. 14: Band of Oz

Sponsorships for Sand in the Street help to make the series possible, according to the Pride director. "We are grateful for their help."

Sand in the Streets sponsored by:

Title Sponsors:

• Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism Development Authority
• Realo Discount Drugs
• TACC 9 television
• Minges Bottling Group/ Pepsi-Cola
• The Free Press

Event Sponsors:

• R.A. Jeffreys Distributing (for Chairman of the Board)
• First South Bank (for Jackie Gore & Legends of Beach)
• First Citizens Bank (for Liquid Pleasure)
• Bojangles/Tands. Inc. (for The Grass Cats)
• Perry Management (for The Embers)
• King's Restaurant (for Band of Oz)

General Sponsors:

Chick-fil-A; Lenoir Memorial Hospital; Corporate Resources; Woodmen of the World; m3 Consulting and Services; the little bank; Gold's Gym; and Pizza Villa of Kinston. Other in-kind donors are Coastal Connections, Christophers Restaurant, American Tool Rental, Beasley Broadcast Group and Curtis Media Group East.

Queen Street's "Outdoor Musical Cafe"

Saturday musicals in downtown Kinston were launched June 14, 2008 when three Queen Street businesses joined forces to create "An Outdoor Musical Café." Looking over their notes are co-sponsors (left to right) Anthony Gonzales of WELS Radio; Cathy Hurt of Sweets Coffee Shop; and Carlos Cannon of Johnson Music Company. Music teachers and their students are being invited to perform on the sidewalk outside Sweets Coffee Shop (311 N. Queen) from 12 noon to 3:30 pm every other Saturday. The next performance is scheduled for May 28.

Believing that music brings people together, three downtown businesses have joined forces to create a weekend "Outdoor Musical Cafe" in the 300 block of North Queen.

Herbert Lewis and Cathy Hurt of Sweets Coffee Shop; Anthony Gonzales of WELS Radio; and Carlos Cannon of Johnson Music Company have teamed up to jointly sponsor live music on the sidewalk at the coffee shop, 311 N. Queen Street, featuring professional music teachers and their students.

The Saturday program began June 14, 2008 at 12 noon. The concept is to stage outdoor musical events, probably on every other Saturday from 12 noon to 3:30 pm, as an attraction to bring people downtown, according to Mr. Cannon. The musical cafe also provides performance opportunities for music students throughout the community, according to Mr. Lewis.

As extra inducements, WELS Radio broadcasts the performances live. Johnson Music gives away gift certificates for free lessons on every instrument taught in Johnson's music studio. And Sweets provides homemade ice cream.

For additional information call: 252-522-0398.