2008 JOHN BARRETT-BILL MARCIE DOWNTOWN SOUNDS
ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

April 3 - NIGHTCRAWLERS

A four piece from the Asheville NC area, they bring an improvisational blend to their blues, soul and rock and roll material while still maintaining the directness and vitality of a good dance band. Featuring guitar, sax/keyboard, bass, and drums – the band members provide a solid rock groove along with powerful vocals and tasteful solos.

April 10 - "ANDERSON'S OWN" MISS WANDA JOHNSON

If you like passionate vocals, powerful stage charisma, great original songs, and a soulful performer who really connects with her audience, you will love Wanda Johnson.  She is accompanied by Charleston-based pianist/composer Shrimp City Slim (Gary Erwin) and his band.

April 17 - RUSS WILSON AND HIS MIGHTY, MIGHTY MEN

Russ Wilson and his Mighty-Mighty Men are a Jump Blues band located in North Carolina.  The influence of swing music is very prominent in most of their up-beat, fun songs.

April 24 - TL HANNA HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND

** EXCITING KICKOFF FOR THE 13TH ANNUAL ANDERSON SOIREE

Under the instruction of Richard Baskin, T.L. Hanna Jazz Band is extremely talented and brings with them a high energy and energetic show.

May 1 - WHITNEY WALTERS AND THE SOUND

Lead singer Whitney Walters blends mellow tones with all-out soulful bursts. The Sound effortlessly mixes funky grooves with tried-and-true standards, a little World Beat, a little rock and a whole lot of soul.

May 8 - MARVIN KING AND THE BLUES REVIVAL

Dedicated to blues music with a positive message, Blues Revival is simply a jam band with a passion to play. With influences such as The Allman Brothers, Derek Trucks Band, and Government Mule just to name a few. This Greenville, South Carolina based group has many years of recording experience but definitely should be seen live to appreciate the improvisational skill and true Revival experience.

May 15 - BLISTERIN HOT BEACH, BOOGIE AND BLUES BAND

“Blisterin Hot” plays a great variety of music, including, jazz & swing, beach music, oldies dance favorites from the 50s & 60s, classic rock, pop, R&B, blues, & disco hits from the 70s, and a mix of popular dance music from the 80s & 90s, to current dance & party favorites!

May 22 - GEOFF ACHISON AND THE SOULDIGGERS

Australian musician Geoff Achison has a reputation as a guitarist's guitarist. Equally adept at acoustic or electric styles, either choice can be beautifully intricate or feature high energy explosiveness. He has developed his own sound, without the aid of pedals or gadgets. Growing up in rural Australia, Geoff somehow developed a passion for American blues music and taught himself to play on a beat up instrument he discovered 'under the stairs' of the family home.

May 29 - CHOCOLATE THUNDER

From a long line of strong female vocalists, Linda Rodney has a gospel upbringing and has been singing gospel since adolescence.  Her music has a hint of blues to it with a powerful meaning accompanied by strong vocals in every song.

June 5 -MICHAEL WOLF AND THE VOODOO BROTHERS

A big helping of Chicago, Texas and Delta Blues served up with Hot Vocals, Smokin' Guitar and Cool Grooves.  The lead guitarist, Michael “Wolf” Ingmire was inspired to play guitar by Jimi Hendrix and inspired musically by Robert Johnson to play blues.

June 12 - PUZZLE

A good choice for a variety of music.  The Puzzle Party Band can entertain with light jazz for a cocktail hour, up-beat dancing music, or even oldies from Rock n’ Roll.

June 19 – FIRECRACKER JAZZ BAND

Firecracker Jazz Band's repertoire is born of the rich material of the early twentieth century "Jazz Greats" from the city of New Orleans. Popular and obscure Tin Pan Alley songs appear alongside clever original compositions. The instrumentation of the group is styled in the manner of the King Oliver Jazz Band, with stride piano, tuba and banjo providing the foundation for the melody of the cornet, counter-pointed with the trombone.

June 26 - SOUTHERN CRESCENT BAND

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.

July 3 - NO EVENT - Enjoy the holiday weekend!!

July 10 - ROBBIE DUCEY BAND

An artist that can infuse the elements of Rock, Soul, Funk, and Blues into their song writing and playing style, and create a truly unique sound of their own.  His guitar playing style is old school-in your face 70's bluesy rock with a sprinkling of soul and funk.

July 17 - RENDITION

Rendition has its roots in jazz and swing, but mixes in a variety of music for all ages. We love to play the jazz  favorites of the big band greats such as Glen Miller and Duke Ellington, but we also mix in favorites of the more modern swing era. To add variety, Rendition also has some great sounding horn arrangements of other music types including some pop and rock dance tunes, popular ballads, polkas, shag, Latin, etc.

July 24 - BLACK TIE AFFAIR

"Black Tie Affair is one of the most requested bands in the upstate area for corporate events, posh wedding receptions & private parties.  Black Tie Affair  features a wide range of music, including contemporary jazz, swing, bebop, and a variety of dance music including beach favorites, oldies, disco, and rock  favorites from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, & 90's.”

July 31 - MAC ARNOLD AND THE PLATE FULL 'O BLUES

 Mac Arnold must have known at an early age that his music career would read like a "Who's who" of Blues/R&B legends. His high school band "J. Floyd& the Shamrocks" were often joined by none other than Macon, Georgia native, James Brown on piano. After deciding to pursue a professional music career, he joined the Charles Miller group until 1965 when he made the move to Chicago to work with recording artist/saxophonist A. C. Reed. In late 1966, at age 24, came the opportunity of a lifetime to join the Muddy Waters Band and help shape the electric blues sound that inspired the rock and roll movement of the late 60's and early 70's. Regular guests of the band included Eric Clapton, Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop.The Muddy Waters Band (as a unit) shared the stage with the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Junior Wells, Big Joe Williams, and Big Mama Thornton ("Hound Dog") just to name a few.    

August 7 - RETROVERTIGO

Across the upstate and beyond, crowds are jumping to their feet, dancing in events whenever RetroVertigo hits the stage!  Partygoers find this explosive, high-energy cover-band irresistible when they start playing favorites from the 1980’s and more. RetroVertigo taps into its member's history of quality musicianship and showmanship to bring the most colorful music from the 80’s back to life.

August 14 - GAS HOUSE MOUSE

Their common unifying purpose is to play great blues-based music, entertain their audiences, and to have a good time while doing it. This veteran, all-star line-up features some of the Southeast’s best musicians. Individually, they have worked as sidemen for many national acts and entertained with many top recording artists.

August 21 - ENCORE

The Encore Band provides top-quality musical entertainment for all types of occasions throughout the Midwest. Known as St. Louis' most exciting party band, we tailor our musical selections to your tastes, encompassing literally all styles of music including ceremony music by the Landolfi String Quartet.

With Encore, you're getting only the original musicians and vocalists. There is only one Encore Band. Don't be fooled by groups that send out random musicians from a pool, all under the same name. With Encore, what you see is what you get!

August 28 - THE SHANE PRIUTT BAND

An extraordinary bluesman is raised in the suburbs;  in the shadow of a Wal-Mart store...  A youngster learns the depth and breadth of the blues without leaving his house...  Living in Spartanburg, South Carolina, his style mimics neither the sprightly,  acoustic - based Piedmont blues indigenous to his region nor the all- influential Texas sounds of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan...  A gentle and shy young man becomes a FEROCIOUS and animated axe king the second he hits the stage...