Winterville is getting ready for its 39th annual Watermelon Festival and announced tickets are now on sale for the Watermelon Jam featuring the rock legends Grand Funk Railroad.
The four-day festival that wraps up summer for many folks around Pitt County runs Aug. 22-25 at the Winterville Recreation Park, 324 Sylvania St., south of A.G. Cox Middle School.
One of the highlights is the Watermelon Jam, which this year features Grand Funk, “The American Band” who populated the rock charts in the 1970s with songs like “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “The Locomotion,” “I’m Your Captain,” and, of course, “We’re An American Band.”
A release from the band said the high-energy, five-piece group includes founding members Don Brewer on vocals and drums and bassist Mel Schacher. Brewer wrote and performs the multi-million-selling hit, “We’re an American Band,” while Schacher’s bass playing earned him the nickname “The God of Thunder.”
Joining the pair are all-star rockers in their own right, the band said.
Singer Max Carl was keyboardist and vocalist for 38 Special and wrote the band’s highest-charting hit “Second Chance” and was co-founder of California’s legendary Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. Brewer calls Max “the best blue-eyed soul singer on the planet.”
Lead guitarist Bruce Kulick played for 12 years with KISS and has credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier. KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were influenced early on by Grand Funk.
Keyboardist Tim Cashion has a master’s degree in music from the University of Miami. Called “Dr. Tim,” his credits include stints with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, and English soul man Robert Palmer.
Grand Funk has toured the world, selling out in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and South America. The group has charted 19 singles, eight Top 40 hits and two No. 1 singles, American Band and Locomotion.
Gates for the show open at 5 p.m. on Aug. 24. Warm-up acts include Bryan Meyer, a country performer with roots in eastern North Carolina, and Nashville recording artist Maggie Baugh. Grand Funk plays at 9 p.m.
General admission tickets are $25 and $30 for pit admission. Fans can bring in chairs but no blankets or coolers. The pit is for standing only. Refreshments including beer will be for sale inside the concert area.
Visit www.watermelonfest.com to buy tickets and for complete information about the festival.
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