Music & Fireworks

Written By: - NONE - | Issue: 2016/09 - September

It’s been a while since the Cashiers Valley Rotary Club hosted the Symphony Under the Stars 4th of July music/fireworks event. 

The new Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau is looking to reignite that exciting event with Old Baldaroo at Fairfield Lake, for the benefit of the community and for the club.  

This two-day family friendly event happens from 5:00 to 9:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25. It will have a slightly different twist as it will be more of a music festival with Saturday’s theme being country/bluegrass and Sunday’s theme being jazz/big band. 

On Saturday, there will be a bunch of local talent performing in advance of the featured performer, The Kurt Thomas Band. Kurt has written/produced several albums and has most recently collaborated with Grammy Award-winning writer Dennis Morgan on his soon-to-be-released album “Give it Hell Trying.”  Kurt’s win of Kenny Chesney’s “Next Big Star” contest made him the opening act for Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar, LeAnn Rimes, Gary Alan and Sugarland. Kurt has also opened for the Zac Brown Band, Joe Diffie, Little Big Town and Blue County.  After opening for Chesney, Kurt went on to win CMT’s Music City Madness – a nationwide contest that led to Kurt’s doing an “Unplugged Studio 330” session on CMT as well as a mentorship with Grammy Award-winning singer Randy Travis.  Today, Kurt Thomas is doing what he does best – writing songs and playing shows all over the United States.

Sunday will also see a variety of local talent leading up to the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. In Big Band history, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra is recognized as one of the best all-around dance bands.  It could swing with the best of them, and no other band could come close to Tommy’s when it came to playing ballads.  Tommy Dorsey, “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing,” was a master at creating warm, sentimental, and always musical moods – at superb dancing and listening tempos.  Tommy sustained these moods through the arrangements of the likes of Paul Weston, Axel Stordahl and Sy Oliver, and he showcased singers who could project them brilliantly. Frank Sinatra’s career blossomed with Dorsey, and, with Sinatra’s vocals, the band became more successful than ever.  Frank had often admitted that listening to Tommy helped him develop his phrasing and breathing, along with his musical taste and knowledge.

Both days will finish with a spectacular fireworks display over Fairfield Lake. Local vendors will be on hand selling food under the tent on top of the hill. All proceeds will go to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau. Tickets can be purchased on the “News and Events” page of the club’s website, bgcplateau.org. Ticket sales will be limited so make your online reservations early. There will be a variety of seating and parking options available. You can also call the club at (828) 743-2775 for more information.