2009 Downtown Concert Series
Presented by
Pride of Kinston
This concert is a prelude to the Sand in the Streets Series, and takes place during the Festival on the Neuse.
Music has been Robin Rogers' consuming passion ever since her days as a teenaged street singer. Possessing a deeply expressive and soulful voice and an infectious enthusiasm for the blues, Robin and her band have developed a devoted and growing following.
Her Blind Pig debut, “Treat Me Right”, fulfills the promise of her previous two releases, revealing an accomplished artist of rare polish and originality. Read more...
List to a sample. "Crazy In Love/Jungle Boogie"
Sponsored by Perry Management
No other band from the Carolinas, or the entire Mid-Atlantic region for that matter, dares attempt the intricate fusion of rhythm-section funk, 4-horn firepower, and soaring vocals this band throws down each time they play live.
Featuring the Bull City Horns on their front line, Bull City Syndicate has been building a loyal and ever-growing following for twelve years featured not only at the top area restaurants and clubs, but also statewide at music festivals, colleges, weddings, private and corporate parties, as well as many local and national charity events. Read more...
Sponsored by Kendall Hill
Listen to a sample. "Put the Squeeze on Me"
Originally from Houston, Texas, Teresa now lives in Los Angeles where she works with her band, The Rhythm Tramps. They have been working together for several years in the LA area and at blues festivals around the country, and throughout Europe. The band has been a featured act the last 7 years on Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Blues Cruise.
Teresa's band is an eclectic mix of Los Angeles based musicians who have worked with a wide range of artists including: Jimmy Reed, Eric Burdon, Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Kim Carnes, Jennifer Warnes, Was Not Was, Johnny Nash and many, many others. As one listener put it: "There are no cliches in this band."
Together they have created a sound that is funky and greasy, where New Orleans meets Texas Blues and everyone has a good time.
Sponsored by R. A. Jeffreys
General Norman Johnson formed THE SHOWMEN in 1955 in Norfolk, Virginia. Originally called the HUMDINGERS, the band used its distinctive style in a session for Atlantic Records in 1956, yielding four sides that were never released. Not discouraged, the band got a chance to record for Minit Records in New Orleans, Louisiana.
After changing their name to THE SHOWMEN, the band was off and running, recording 15 songs for Minit between 1961 and 1962. It was then that THE SHOWMEN encountered their first national success with what has been called the international anthem for rock and roll, "It Will Stand". The tune made the national charts twice - in 1961 and again in 1964.
THE SHOWMEN today, which includes Warren Brown, Rubin Collick, Michael Spratley, and THE SHOWMEN band are still making "sweet beach music". Their recent single, "You Want It, You Got It" from the recently released compilation CD (Surfside Records) "Beach Music Patrol" is hot and climbing the charts. Read more...
www.generalentertainment.com/artists/showmen.htm
Click here for samples via mySpace...
Listen to a sample. "Bluegrass Girl"
Sponsored by Bojangles
Sweet Potato Pie is an all female band specializing in bluegrass, country and gospel music. Playing traditional bluegrass instruments, the Pie is best known for their vocal harmonies and original music. Earning the nickname the "Sweethearts of Bluegrass", these girls know how to entertain.
Their shows incorporate humor, stories and lots of good toe-tapping music. With their set of traditional songs mixed with their original music you have a delicious concoction that will please any audience.
While the girls describe their music as "sweetgrass", their listeners just call it "lip smacking good!" No matter what you call it, one taste of Sweet Potato Pie and you'll be begging for more.
Listen to a sample. "Fantasy"
Sponsored by Minges Bottling Group/Pepsi
Some veteran bands seem ageless. As many fans would attest, The Four Knights Band fits into that category. The Four Knights Band, from their humble beginnings (four originally), to the seven that now grace the stage together, have been the epitome of what happens when great Musicians and great songs come together.
The group features 4 lead vocalist, Harold, Donald, Marty, And Steve. With a front line up of horns, under the direction of Harold Smith, this band commands attention at all events: WEDDINGS, CONVENTIONS, CORPORATE EVENTS. Their repertoire ensures that everyone has a great time.
This band has performed with: Johnny Gill (new edition), Sister Sledge (we are family), The Beach Boys, Rose Bonanza (las vegas) . With client references from Michael Jordan, Lt Gov. of Kentucky, Stargell Org., Joe Torres (N.Y. Yankees) and many others, this is the Band that stood out from the rest.
www.fourknightsband.zoomshare.com
Sponsored by First South Bank
Listen to a sample. "Hits Medley"
The Band of Oz was formed in 1967 as a part-time band playing fraternity parties and high school proms all over the South. In 1977 the band went on the road full time. Since that time the band has made an exceptional name for itself throughout the Southeast by playing the top clubs and corporate parties, and getting excellent reviews along the way. For several years the group has been a guest on most of the major beach concerts in the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia.
The Band of Oz is one of the most successful groups in the Southeast, and continues to get the very best reviews. The band now features a full horn section to total a dynamic eight-member group - beach music at its finest. (The Band of Oz started in Grifton, NC.)
To listen to the sample music clips, you will need to have Adobe Flash installed on your computer. Flash Player is a free download. For more information, please visit the Flash Player web site...
Minges Bottling Group – Pepsi
Kendall Hill
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Pride of Kinston • 327 North Queen Street • Kinston, NC 28501• (252)
522-4676
Located in the Kinston Enterprise Center
Artist Bruce D. Ziegler has generously made available to Pride his portrait of
downtown Kinston as signature for Pride's website.