Embers Close Out Concert Series Sept. 16

This year's Town Square Concert Series, which has attracted huge crowds downtown all summer, will come to a close Thursday, Sept. 16 with a concert by beach music giants The Embers.

For decades, The Embers have been making music by playing a mix of rhythm and blues and heart and soul.

Rhythm and Blues has become the foundation and essence of soul music and the Motown sound, but in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Alabama, the name that applies is "Beach Music."

A musical marvel, the band has survived disco, punk, new wave, and hip-hop and continue to take the stage as one of the most entertaining bands ever to perform. Named North Carolina's Official Musical Ambassadors, they also were inducted into the South Carolina Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. They've opened for the Rolling Stones, done commercials for Budweiser, performed for the Olympics, President Clinton's inauguration ball and created the soundtrack for endless summers.

The Embers were involved in a video commercial for the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City where their captivating premier performance resulted in a return engagement for a sold out New Year's Eve show. Pepsi released a commercial performed by The Embers to the title tune Beach Music from their Beach Music, Super Collaboration Album. In December of 2007 and 2008, The Embers were invited to perform their Christmas program for our troops and their families at various military camps and bases throughout South Korea.

Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for this free public concert. Several local vendors provide light refreshments and food. The DDA will once again serve beer and wine.

Sponsors of the 2010 Town Square Concert Series are: The Town of Clayton, Clayton Downtown Development Association, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Time Warner Cable, Clayton News Star, Clayton Steakhouse, Four Oaks Bank and Hometowne Realty.

Concert Series updates are available at www.downtownclayton.org

Several downtown restaurants offer pre-concert dinner specials, including The Flipside at 408 E Second Street, Clayton Steakhouse at 307 E Main Street, Mulberry on Main Italian Restaurant at 217 E Main Street as well as Festejos Mexican Grill at 905 E Main Street, Lucky Chicken Peruvian Restaurant at 226 E Main Street and Main Street Seafood Restaurant at 312 E Main Street.

The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to coordinate revitalization work in the historic downtown district. The DDA advocates and provides business improvement services in the downtown district, administers incentives for downtown improvements and organizes several special events, including the Town Square Concert Series, Millstock Music & Art Faire, Oktoberfest and the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting.

For more information on the concerts and downtown news and events, please visit www.downtownclayton.org or call (919) 553-1545 or contact Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen at bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org