“Nantucket” Kicks off Clayton’s Town Square Concert Series THIS Thursday

Downtown Clayton will be rockin’ the evening of May 15 as legendary rock group Nantucket kicks off Clayton’s 2008 Town Square Concert Series at 7:00 pm. The free concert will actually begin at 6 pm with local rock group Groove Pilot opening for Nantucket. The concert series is presented by the Clayton Downtown Development Association. Future concert dates all begin at 7:00 pm and feature Liquid Pleasure on June 19; Craig Woolard Band on July 24, Breakfast Club on August 7 and a Battle of the Bands on September 18.

Nantucket is a hard rock band that formed in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 1969. Originally known as the beach music band Stax of Gold and later Nantucket Sleighride (after the song by Mountain), the six-member group -- Tommy Redd, Larry Uzzell, Mike Uzzell, Eddie Blair, Kenny Soule, and Mark Downing -- became a huge draw in their home state of North Carolina as a cover band. Nantucket eventually became a powerful and tenacious sensation, amassing numerous fans across the southeastern United States well before its first release.

The band signed with Epic Records in 1977 and released its self-titled album the following year, which featured the hit single "Heartbreaker." An aggressive cross-country tour followed, and Nantucket opened for top acts such as KISS, Styx, Boston, Mother's Finest, and Journey. Although its debut release was fairly dated, it sold around 200,000 copies and also made the Billboard charts. In 1979, Nantucket followed up with Your Face or Mine?

As a tribute to AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott, who died in 1980, Nantucket's Long Way To The Top included a version of the 1975 classic "It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll)". The move landed the band a spot with AC/DC on its Back In Black tour for the entire summer.

The current lineup of Nantucket includes Tommy Redd (guitar & vocals), Larry Uzzell (vocals), Mike Uzzell (keyboard & vocals), Eddie Blair (sax, keyboard & vocals), Glen Edwards (drums & vocals), and Bennie Dellinger (guitar & vocals). For more information on Nantucket visit www.myspace.com/nantucketband.

Special guest, Groove Pilot will be opening for Nantucket. They are a Raleigh NC based band that plays a mix of classic rock to high energy, rock edge dance, from Jimi Hendrix to Lenny Kravitz and Blondie to Sass Jordan. There is also a Clayton connection: band member Joe Fox owns Olde Town Supply on E Main Street in downtown Clayton! www.myspace.com/groovepilotnc.

Refreshments available at the Town Square will include pizza, hot dogs, beer, wine and soft drinks. Although folding chairs and blankets are encouraged for people to sit on, coolers are not allowed.

Sponsors for the concert series include Town of Clayton, Time Warner Cable, Clayton News Star, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, and Clayton Steak House. Contributing sponsors include Avent-Permenter Group Appraisals, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Hometowne Realty, Matthews Motors and True Line Surveying.

If you plan to attend the concerts, consider dinner out before the music begins. Downtown Clayton offers a variety of restaurants for an enjoyable pre-show meal. Consider The FlipSide on 408 E Second Street, 553-0123 and their wine bar, the "Cork and Plate," after 5:00 p.m., featuring tapas and other light snacks. Clayton Steakhouse, 307 E Main Street, 553-2299; Mulberry on Main Italian Restaurant 217 E Main Street, 550-7400 or El Sabor de Oaxaca, 226 E Main Street, 359-1477 for traditional Mexican cuisine. All are in the heart of downtown and within walking distance of the Town Square.

The Town Square is in downtown Clayton and sits between West Main Street and S. O’Neil and Fayetteville streets.