Lexington Chamber brings summer sounds to Uptown Lexington
{Brooke Maners/Davidson Local}
On August 14, music lovers unfolded their chairs and laid their blankets on the lawn in front of the Breeden Insurance Amphitheater for the highly-anticipated “Sounds of Summer” music event hosted by the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce.
In past years, the chamber has sponsored Lexington’s “Alive After Five” concerts from May until late summer. The series was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the chamber committee decided to have one concert.
Although the “Alive After Five'' series events had always offered free admission, the “Sounds of Summer” concert was going to be a ticketed event, initially, in order to control the number of people in attendance. However, since the number of COVID-19 cases was declining and Kinetic by Windstream stepped in as the premier event sponsor, the chamber decided to make the concert free. Anyone who had already purchased tickets was refunded.
COVID-19 didn't stop this year's event but the threat of storms was certainly a concern in the backs of everyone's minds. As dark clouds gathered overhead, many people continued to monitor weather radars on their phones prior to the event beginning. As time went on, the crowd was rockin’ and the dark clouds rolled out! “Sounds of Summer” didn’t miss a beat!
Kicking off the show at 4:00 p.m. was the six member Charlotte-based band, “Kids in America.”
This appropriately-dressed 80’s cover band took the crowd back a few decades for the next hour, with their high-energy performances of 80’s icons such as Pat Benatar, Billy Idol, B-52s, the Bangles and more. Leaving the stage to engage with the audience, dancing and singing were great ways to kick off the event, and the band had the crowd amped up for the night.
Ross Coppley, a Lexington native, had the local crowd excited as his band took the stage. Despite some sound difficulties limiting their production, they didn’t disappoint. Coppley explained this was the first time he had performed in North Carolina with a full band since 2014. He has been living in Nashville since 2013. Asking for prayers, he told the crowd his guitarist was currently and unexpectedly in the hospital. He recruited phenomenal guitarists Robert “Bobby” Smith and Wade Ingram, both from another well-known North Carolina band, “Brothers Pearl,” to fill in. Together, they performed a few of Coppley’s original songs and some well-known country covers as the crowd sang along. Coppley ended his time on stage showing his love and appreciation to his hometown.
Taking the stage from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. was Lexington-based, four-man band “Simerson Hill.” Immediately, the crowd seemed to be on its feet, moving closer to the stage, dancing and singing. This blues/rock band performed incredible, powerhouse covers including “The Well,'' “Pride and Joy,” “Can’t You See,” ''Blue on Black,” “No Good” and two incredible original songs, ''Fontana” and ''Black Crow,” both of which will be released on their upcoming album.
Simerson Hill said, “We’ve played a lot of shows already this year, but we’ve been counting down the days until this one. This is our first show as a full band in our hometown. Usually we’re playing in front of a crowd of strangers. It’s great to look in the crowd and see a lot of our family and friends here.” After their crowd-pleasing performance, locals expressed their hopes that Simerson Hill would return soon to nearby venues.
Closing out the night was “Trial by Fire.” These five North Carolina-based musicians make up this awesome “Journey'' tribute cover band. It’s quite possible neighbors could hear the audience miles away from the amphitheater! The crowd belted out lyrics, singing word for word, as the band performed infamous songs such as “Wheel in the Sky,” “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Faithfully.” Trial by Fire is not your typical “cover band.” One excited attendee exclaimed, “If I didn't know better, I’d swear that it really was Journey on the stage!”
This stellar lineup of musicians seemed to be the perfect combination for Sounds of Summer. Along with the musical talent, entertainment and vendors were in attendance. Ryan Short Entertainment & Rentals provided an inflatable water slide. Don Juan’s and PinKor’s Delights brought their food trucks. Domino’s Pizza provided food for the bands and event volunteers. Beverage stations offered soft drinks, water, beer, wine and margaritas. RH Barringer sponsored the beer tents and Bull City Ciderworks had a beer tent as well serving its ciders.
Gold event sponsors for the event included Lexington Utilities, Novant Health, Masterbrand Cabinets, Mountcastle Insurance, WFBH Lexington Medical Center, Davidson Medical Ministries, First National Bank, Sharpe Co., Don Juan's Mexican Restaurant, RH Barringer and Walmart SuperCenter. There were also silver sponsors. The premier event sponsor, Kinetic by Windstream’s local kinetic team, presented a $5,000 check payable to Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the generous sponsors, talented musicians, entertainment, vendors, volunteers and the community were able to conclude the summer of 2021 on a high note.
