Chairmen of the Board

Special to Iredell Free News

One of the best known names in Soul Music, Chairmen of the Board, will take the stage when the 2023 Piedmont HealthCare Friday After 5 Summer Concert Series resumes in Downtown Statesville on Friday, June 2.

The Chairmen of the Board will be preceded by their longtime friends, The Executives, from 6 to 6:45 p.m. with Chairmen of the Board taking the stage at 7:15 p.m.

Chairmen of the Board came out of the box strong in 1970 with “Give Me Just a Little More Time” and have been going ever since. Over the years, they were among Soul Music’s most consistent hitmakers, scoring big with “Pay to the Piper,” “Finders Keepers,” “Chairmen of the Board,” and the blissful “Everything’s Tuesday.” The Chairmen scored a surprise hit in Europe in the 2000s with “Bless Your Heart,” a great tune that sounds like it was plucked from their early 1970s catalog.

Group leader General Johnson died on October 13, 2010, at age 67. At the request of General Johnson to keep the group’s legacy strong, 38-year member Ken Knox continues to lead the group touring with members Thomas Hunter and Patrick McGuire, as well as six musicians. They have been featured in commercials and recently starred in a video with the Carolina Panthers. 

The band has been inducted into the N.C. Music Hall of Fame.

The Piedmont HealthCare Friday After 5 Summer Concert Series offers free entertainment to Statesville residents, neighbors and visitors in Downtown Statesville from May through September and features music of all styles. 

The concerts are held in Downtown Statesville on West Broad Street in front of Mitchell Community College from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, water, and food will be available for purchase beginning at 5pm. Bring your chairs and enjoy a great night of music, but remember no pets, outside beverages, or coolers are allowed.

Start your evening by visiting the welcome tent sponsored by Randy Marion at the entrance to purchase your tokens before heading over to the beverage tent.

Southern Distilling Co. is the Hospitality Tent sponsor this year. In addition to sampling some of their delicious bourbon, you can purchase a signature cocktail. This week they will be serving their famous Lavender Lemonade and a Blackberry Mule.

Red Buffalo Brewing will be on hand pouring Clocktower IPA, Center Street Ale, Blue’sberry Ale, and Cranberry-Apple Seltzer.

Andrea’s Ice Cream & Sweet Shop along with Wilson’s Weenie Wagon and Gas Up food trucks will be serving food, sweets, water and soft drinks.

Upcoming Shows

July 7 – The Pizazz Band
August 4 – Dani Kerr & The Skeleton Krew
September 1 – Chicago Rewired – The Premier Chicago Tribute Band with REO Survivor & Co.

Sponsors

The Piedmont HealthCare Friday After 5 Summer Concert Series is produced by Downtown Statesville Development Corporation and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce and is made possible by our gracious volunteers and these valued sponsors: Piedmont HealthCare, Randy Marion Ford Lincoln, Southern Distilling Co., Accellacare, DENSO, Allen Tate Realtors, Carolina Specialty Care, Carolina BalloonFest, AFC Urgent Care, Hilton Garden Inn, Mitchell Community College, Banner Drug, Sound Check Live, HunkaJunk Hauling, City of Statesville, Homerun Markets, WAME Radio 92.9.

Parking

Parking is available throughout Downtown in our 9 public parking lots. Mitchell Community College invites guests to park in their various lots surrounding the event. For public lot details, visit https://www.downtownstatesville.com/directions-parking.

LEARN MORE

Visit https://www.svlfridayafterfive.com/ for more information.