Motown Tribute Band to Perform in Final Summer Series Concert
UPDATE: The concert has been moved to the Crockett Civic Center, 1100 Edmiston Dr. in Crockett due to the chance of rainy weather. The concert will start at 8 p.m.
By Cody Thompson
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – If you’re a fan of soulful lyrics and smooth rhythms, then the Piney Woods Fine Art Association has the event for you: Houston-based band, Brown Sugar Band, will be at the J.B. & Kathryn Sallas Amphitheater at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 to pay tribute to a number of historic Motown bands and artists.
The free concert, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Crockett, is the fourth and final event of the PWFAA’s Summer Lightnin’ Series-Thursday Tunes at the Track.
“June is almost over, and so is our Summer Lightnin’ Series,” PWFAA executive director Glenn Barnhart told the Messenger. “So far, we’ve had three awesome bands perform and we’ve only got one more left. This is your last chance to come see some great performers for free.”
The Brown Sugar Band have made a name for themselves in the Texas Rhythm & Blues scene by performing their original music as well as a medley of well-known Motown hits.
“We’ve really tried to diversify this year’s Summer Lightnin’ Series,” Barnhart said. “We’ve already had a surf-rock band, a country artist and a rock n’ roll band perform, so now it’s time to go with something a little bit smoother and funkier.”
For the Summer Lightnin’ Series, Brown Sugar Band will pay tribute to the artists and bands of the Motown era of R&B music. Their setlist features a variety of hit songs from a broad range of artists, including: “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner, “What’s Goin’ On” by Marvin Gaye, “Dock of the Bay” by Ottis Redding, “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett and many more.
“A lot of people don’t realize how much of an impact that this style of music has had on other styles,” Barnhart said. “The old Motown bands inspired artists and bands in everything from R&B to rock to blues.”
The Brown Sugar Band is comprised of Sandra Lee (Keyboard/Vocals), James Mosley Jr. (Bass/Vocals), Tasha Bailey (Vocals), Jaques Webster (Drums/Keyboard), Regibald Hall (Saxophone) and Robert Wortham (Guitar/Bass/Piano/Vocals).
“One of the really cool things about the Brown Sugar Band is that almost all of them can sing, and they sing well,” Barnhart said. “It makes for some really cool harmonies.”
The J.B. & Kathryn Sallas Amphitheater is located at 303 S First St. in Arnold park near the Houston County Museum Railroad Depot.
“Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, cooler and picnic basket and enjoy some wonderfully soulful music outside in a beautiful setting under the summer stars,” Barnhart said.
Concessions will be available for purchase.
The PWFAA’s Summer Lightnin’ Series-Thursday Tunes at the Track kicked off with a performance by Beach Boys tribute band, Almost Endless Summer (June 1), followed by Hank Williams Sr. tribute artist, Jake Penrod, as well as last week’s performance of the Rolling Stones tribute band, Satisfaction.
“This year’s summer series has a little something for everyone,” Barnhart said. “The music is timeless, fun for the whole family and a great way to reminisce about summers past.”
For more information about the PWFAA, the Summer Lightnin’ Series-Thursday Tunes at the Track or any other upcoming PWFAA events, visit www.pwfaa.org or call 936-544-4276.
