The Tams kick off weekend of live music in Richmond County with Plaza Jam show

ROCKINGHAM — One of the foundations of the city’s Plaza Jam summer concert series is set to return for yet another show.

The Tams will take the stage at Cole Plaza Thursday for their 21st consecutive concert in the series — the only band to perform each year in the event’s history.

Frontman Albert “Little Redd” Cottle is the son of Tams co-founder Charles Pope and has been performing with the vocal group since he was 6 years old.

His own son, Mikai Cottle, has been with the group for the past several years, following in his father’s — and grandfather’s — dance steps.

The Tams were founded in 1960 and had several top 10 hits. They have been honored with two gold records and several awards and were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, according to their website.

Their backing band, the 14 Karat Gold Band, generally starts the show with a 30-minute set before the group members come on donning their namesake tam o’shanters, performing their hit songs including “What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)” and “I’ve Been Hurt,” along with other R&B classics.

The current forecast from the National Weather Service calls for cloudy skies and evening temps dropping from a daytime high of 80 degrees.

Each concert in the outdoor series is free and open to the public, running from 6:30-8:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month from May-October.

Click here to see Chocolate Chip and Company in June.

Click here to see North Tower Band in July.

The Embers will return to close out the season Oct. 3.

Also on Thursday, Norton Farms resumes its backyard concert series, after taking a break during the hot summer months. Julia Golden, who performs throughout the Sandhills, is set to play Thursday, with two other shows in Moore County before she heads to Nashville.

Richmond County’s own Jonathan Robinson is scheduled for Friday, followed by Charity Davis-Steele and Chuck Smith on Saturday.

Concerts at Norton Farms run from 6-8 p.m.

Other live music performances this weekend:

Friday, Sept. 6

Tyler Watts – Hudson Brothers Deli

Scott Grote Mystery Tour – Axe to Grind

Saturday, Sept. 7

Eric Whitfield – Striker’s Lounge