department of public
information and events
Main Street Fridays
This weekly music series on Main Street at Hyatt Plaza continues for 28 weeks
from March 16 to Sept. 28, 2012; featuring jazz, blues, oldies, and soul music
with a series total of approximately 45,000 annually.
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2012 Main Street Fridays Schedule
March 16: Chocolate Thunder
Soul
When Chocolate Thunder roars onto the stage, she’s fully charged … a sweet explosion of heart and soul and raw vocal energy that will leave you reeling from the sheer power of this extraordinary performer. A mix of Tina Turner, Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin all rolled into one, Chocolate Thunder puts it out there like she invented it. She doesn’t hold back. She’s got something to say and she belts it out for all the world to hear. There’s nothing shy about this baby.
March 23: Big Time Band
Variety/Beach
Consisting of founding members of Encore and After Hours bands, Big Time offers the best of beach music, soul, dance, funk and classic rock and roll. The six piece band is from Greenville, SC.
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March 30: Gypsy Souls
Funk/Jazz/Blues
April 6: True Blues
Blues
True Blues has become a Greenville and Upstate South Carolina mainstay since its inception in 1990. They started as a power trio with Joey Gunter on guitar and vocals, Pete Cash on bass, and Pete's brother Joe Cash on drums. In 2003, they added Bill Pappas from Athens, GA on keyboards and guitar. Members of the band write about half of the material they play, which ranges from straight-ahead blues, to rockin' Texas style blues, to jazzy blues, to songs that can be categorized only as original "True Blues". In addition, they cover songs by B. B. King, The Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and others. True Blues has come to be known as "Greenville's House Band." In addition to being regulars at Greenville's music showcase, The Handlebar, the band plays at Upstate festivals and concert venues including Greenville's River Place Festival, Fall for Greenville, Downtown Alive, Main Street Fridays, the Red, White, and Blue Festival, the Reedy River Nighttime Concert Series, Clemson, SC's Spittoono and Anderson, SC's Soiree.
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April 13: The Swingin' Richards
Rock/Acoustic Covers
Think you're getting the usual acoustic hum-drum bar band? Think again... TSWR are unlike any other acoustic cover act you've seen before. Great vocals, thunderous acoustics, backed up by a percussionist that is tight, powerful and unique make for a band that stands out among a field of cookie-cutter acoustic bar acts! No other band in their field can go from traditional, down-home country to the heavy-handedness of a band like Tool so seamlessly as The Swingin' Richards can. With a catalog of over 100 songs in a repertoire that keeps growing, TSWR has something for everyone & anyone; and they do it with a style all their own! Come check 'em out!
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April 20: Fortunate Sons
Rock and Roll/Variety
The Fortunate Sons are a Rock and Roll band out of Greenville, South Carolina. Drawing influences of Rock, Blues, Pop, and Soul from the likes of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Motown, and The Beatles; The Fortunate Sons create a musical environment that all audiences can engage and enjoy. This 5 piece band of young men from the upstate play everything from concert halls to private parties, weddings, and corporate events. Their ability to blend the sounds of yesterday's classic rock-n-roll hits with those of today makes for an undeniably crowd-pleasing performance.
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April 27: Robbie Ducey Band
Blues/Rock
Growing up in the same hometown as the Godfather of Soul, it was only natural that Ducey was exposed to some of the heavyweights of the rhythm and blues and soul music scene of the 60's such as Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, Albert King, and of course James Brown. The 'British Invasion' of the late 60's and early 70's brought more influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Robin Trower, and Jeff Beck, all of which can be heard in Robbie's guitar style influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Robin Trower, and Jeff Beck, all of which can be heard in Robbie's guitar style.
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May 4: The Buchanan Boys
Country
Looking for a countrified rock and roll good time with a twist? Then look no further than The Buchanan Boys! Hailing from the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, the five-piece band owes its sound to the blend of each member’s eclectic tastes in music. With a style similar to that of current mega stars like Jason Aldean and Zac Brown Band, the band effortlessly mixes different genres into a tasty recipe sure to leave the listener satisfied and craving more! Founding members Chris Pressley (lead vocals / acoustic guitar) and Neal Morgan (backing vocals / electric guitar) both have deep-rooted histories in the Appalachian Mountains with families that settled in Jackson County over 100 years ago. Adam Blythe (lead guitar) Sam McCarson (backing vocals / bass) and Michael Cannon (drums) now call the same mountains home after attending Western Carolina University and embarking on several musical projects together. Not a single member of the group carries the name “Buchanan,” so the band is often asked where the name “The Buchanan Boys” came from? Call it fate or strange coincidence, but as Chris and Neal became friends, they soon discovered they both had a grandfather with the name Frank H. Buchanan, two different men that lived in Jackson County a few miles apart, hence The Buchanan Boys, a tribute to their grandfathers.
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May 11: NuSound
Neo-Soul
NuSound is a mature sophisticated band ready to take the Upstate and surrounding counties by storm. Offering a wide variety of music ranging from old school funk, neo-soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues, NuSound is prepared to cater to your musical needs. NuSound comes equipped with its own personal sound system to accommodate almost any size venue inside or out. Always ready to give you a complete show, NuSound will be sure to keep you on your feet with popular tunes like “Cool” by Morris Day and the Time, “Fantastic Voyage” by Lakeside, and tunes by the Godfather of soul James Brown. NuSound will help you relax with sultry tunes from Anita Baker, Jill Scott, and instrumental tunes from Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross. NuSound has had the honor of sharing the stage with several National Recording Artists to include; The S.O.S. Band, The Ohio Players, Midnight Starr, Tony Toni Tone’, Brick, Tank, Genuwine, Bobby Valentino, Doug E. Fresh, and others. Whether you need smooth tunes for a dinner banquet or energetic tunes for a party, NuSound can and will accommodate your every musical need.
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May 18: Vonna
Blues
The band Vonna is named after the lead singer, Vonna Lawter. The band came together through a side project in 2008. The song list is diverse, from blues to country to rock. Vonna handles lead and background vocals, Chris Newton is guitar and vocals, Jeff Downs is bass and vocals, and Tim DeLisle is percussion. Each of the members play multiple instruments.
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May 25: Coyote Run & Alannach
June 1: The Flashbacks
Beach/Variety
The Flashbacks are a 50's, 60's and Beach Music band from Easley, South Carolina. The group consists of eight professionals from the upstate who specializes in playing 50's, 60's and Beach Music. The group’s unique and versatile musical style covers Rock ‘N’ Roll…Beach and Soul. Their range includes Motown, shaggin’ beach classics and female vocal artists from the wonderful 60’s. Music in The Flashbacks playlist includes such artists as The Spinners, The Tams, Lou Rawls, The Drifters, Barbara Lewis, Fats Domino and The Temptations.
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June 8: Wanda Johnson
Country
Wanda Johnson, a natural-born singer and entertainer, hails from a large family (born, 1963; one of nine children...all girls) in a farming community in upstate South Carolina. She has lived with music all her life. Performing semi-pro since the early 1990s, Wanda is quickly gaining notoriety as a new star on the international scene. She sings with conviction and great emotion and has become known for her ability to really connect with an audience. In addition, she writes much of her own music. For most festival and road dates, she is accompanied by Charleston-based pianist/composer Shrimp City Slim (Gary Erwin) and his band. (www.shrimpcityslim.com) For local appearances in Upstate South Carolina, she is joined by The Upstate Rhythm Section. With four European tours under her belt, numerous USA festival appearances (including Chicago, Pocono, more), and three CDs in worldwide distribution ("Call Me Miss Wanda", "Natural Resource", and "Hold What You Got"), Wanda is a bright new face on the global blues scene.
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June 15: Bottom Line Band
Beach/Rock/Country
Bottom Line Band is a group of talented musicians from the Upstate area that specializes in providing party music to entertain its listeners. Bands abound in these parts of the state, but the difference is that our group does not have a “business as usual” attitude or play one type of genre but instead offers a party atmosphere to audiences. Anything from Beach to Old & Modern Country and from Classic Rock to Motown.
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June 22: Southern Crescent (Variety)
Variety
Southern Crescent is one of the most versatile variety bands in the upstate of South Carolina. Mixing a variety of music including oldies, beach, pop, and rock, the band adjusts their broad song selection to each audience’s particular tastes.
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June 29: Zataban
Funk/Jazz
A new group from the Upstate merges five of the premier musicians from the area to formulate the new movement Zataban. The group targets true music lovers with tunes that will make you move and groove but most important touch your soul! Combining Gospel, Blues, New Orleans Funk, Zataban strives to entertain with a mix of cover tunes and original songs.
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July 6: The Nightcrawlers
Blues
Established in 1999, the “Crawlers” consisted of Danny Eller, Tim Judson, Hurricane Bob, and Mike Bazzell. At that point in time, you could catch some awesome Chicago Blues. But as time changes the direction of a river, changes of the band members brought forth a newer, rounder sound. When Hurricane Bob found a new heading, Johnny House joined the band bringing with him a rich funky, soulful blues with his unique style of guitar playing. Not too long after Johnny joined, Mike Bazzell retired due to health reasons. That’s when Barry Duke, formerly with the Catalina’s, came on board with his unmatchable vocals and saxophone solo’s. The river started taking yet another direction toward ol’ Rhythm and Blues. Last to come on board was Steve Hughes of Canterbury Recording Studios, replacing Tim Judson on bass guitar. That’s when the sound of the NightCrawlers settled into the funkiest ride of your life on the rapids of the NightCrawler Band.
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July 13: City Street Band
Beach/Country
The City Street Band was founded from a group of seasoned musicians who have been performing together and in various groups for over thirty years. Collectively, this unique group of individuals brings a wide variety of musical styles and talents to an extraordinary level of versatility. Well grounded in a wide variety of music genre, including beach, classic rock, rhythm & blues, funk, light jazz, and country, the success of the band lies in its members’ love and experiences of diverse musical styles. Performing at formal and informal wedding receptions, blues and dance clubs, business conventions, private parties, city festivals and more, The City Street Band can impress in any venue.
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July 20: Taylor Moore
Blues/Rock
Taylor Moore is the Caribbean journalist turned full-time guitar slinger, bandleader and songwriter stirring up a savage frenzy across the Southeast. After fleeing the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands in April of 2009 for his music career, Moore blitzed countless festivals, and opening and headlining slots throughout the Southeast – garnering a loyal following and dazzling sold-out crowds with his guitar pyrotechnics, original songwriting and Ray LaMontagne-meets-Rod Stewart vocal stylings. With his full-on electric band, Moore has opened concerts for heavy-hitters like Delbert McClinton, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, JJ Grey and Mofro and Corey Smith, while in his stripped down acoustic capacity, he's toured with platinum-selling singer-songwriter Edwin McCain.
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July 27: Hott Gritz
Jazz/R&B/Funk
Hott Gritz is an urban jazz band that specializes in jazz, funk, r&b, gospel and smooth jazz. Located in Moore, SC we cater to all crowds and are always available for hire. We do weddings, parties, festivals and any other type of occasion. Some of our influences include but not limited to are: Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock, Boney James, The Eagles, The O’ Jays, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Earth Wind & Fire; The Gap Band, The Isley Brothers, Musiq Soulchild, Kem, Anthony Hamilton, Chaka Khan. Mint Condition, Floetry, D'Angelo, Aretha Franklin, Tony Toni Tone, Rick James, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Prince and many more.
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August 3: Encore
Beach/Variety
Since 1998, ENCORE, an eight-piece party band based in Greenville,SC, has specialized in playing for wedding receptions, corporate functions, outdoor festivals, and private affairs. Their energetic showmanship gets the crowd involved and fills the dance floor! From Dinner music to Beach Music, Disco, Dance, and Pop, Encore will provide musical entertainment that will guarantee your event or party will always be remembered.
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August 10: Hoodoo Hounds
Blues
The Hoodoo Hounds are an electric blues band from Clemson, SC who have played together since 2005, and are regulars at many Upstate hot spots. The Hounds themselves are Andrew "Dr. D" Duchowski (drums), David Jacobs (harp, keyboard), Walt "Hoodoo Man" Ligon (lead guitar, vocals), Radar Martin (bass, vocals), and Phil Carroll (sound, lighting). The band combines Walt's swampy Louisiana guitar and vocals with David's urban Chicago harp and keys with the solid rhythm section of Radar and Dr. D to form a sound that is all Upstate Blues! The Hounds recently released their album on CD with 12 tracks recorded at Whitestone Studios in West End Greenville. They have a collection of over 20 original songs, many which incorporate traditional blues themes and refer to elements of hoodoo folk magic such as mojos, grave dirt, black cat bones, and crossroads.
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August 17: Whitten
County/Blues/Rock
The Whitten brothers formed the band in their teens and with such a long history of musical influences and taste they deliver an eclectic blend of Rock, Blues, Pop, Country as well as a little Jazz and Bluegrass. They toured as the "Bodacious Bobcats" in the musical "Always Patsy Cline." Dana Russell, after a solo career, joined Whitten in 2007. Rick and Dana’s soulful vocal synergy is a treat for any occasion.
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August 24: Marcus King Band
Blues/Funk
The Marcus King Band is a Greenville based band. A jam band with blues roots, and a lot of jazz and funk influence. The Marcus King Band consists of Marcus King (guitar/ vocals), Anthony House ( Bass), Brendan Williamson (keyboards/ vocals) , Jason Owens (drums/ vocals).
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August 31: Palmetto Swamp Congregation
Blues
Take off your shoes, kick up your heels and be ready to let your hair down and feel just what the power of the music of The Palmetto Swamp Congregation can do for you. We bring the swamp to you. It is up to you whether you jump in or sit back and dangle your feet. either way we going to make sure you have a good time. We like to take you to the place where your heart yearns to go. Where music from the swamp cools you and heats you up at the same time.
September 7: Gas House Mouse
Blues
Gas House Mouse has been making music since February, 2003. The band features five road proven musicians from the Spartanburg, SC and Asheville, NC areas. Gas House Mouse’s blend of Blues, R&B, Rock and even Zydeco has proven to be a crowd pleaser. Whether it’s an outdoor festival or club, the band comes to entertain with their unique selection and presentation of songs. It’s an infectious blend guaranteed to go straight to your feet. The name, Gas House Mouse, comes from a B-24 Liberator on which band member Dave Shealy’s father flew missions as a navigator in World War II.
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September 14: The Wiredogs
Classic Rock
If you like music from the 50s, 60s and 70s then you've come to the right place. The Wiredogs believe that the best music ever came from the 50s and 60s and we enjoy playing this music for people to dance and reminisce.
September 21: 5th and York
R&B/Soul/Jazz
5th and York has emerged as one of the premier smooth jazz bands to come out of the South east. With influences ranging from the Yellow Jackets and Fourplay to the great funk bands of the 70s and 80s, 5th and York looks to offer its audience a valuable experience they won’t soon forget.
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September 28: Jumpstreet
Variety
From the Southeast United States, a region long known for producing energetic and fresh musical talent, blazes the South Carolina Upstate's own Jumpstreet Band. Jumpstreet has set the standard for new soul music in the Southeast, echoing the legendary passion of famed horn band Tower of Power. One of the most exciting, high energy party bands anywhere, Jumpstreet players are nine of the best reasons to get up and move on the dance floor. Jumpstreet's dynamic horn section crackles with its' tight arrangements and the rhythm section grinds out funky grooves that make you "jump" to your feet. Jumpstreet's powerful vocal section produces unbelievable harmonies and exceptional leads. If you're looking for high energy, stage presence and a great time, check out Jumpstreet Band's next performance. You won't be disappointed.
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