ALBEMARLE — The Extraordinaires, a nine-piece rhythm-and-blues band based out of Hickory, are scheduled to play at Albemarle’s Stanly County Agri-Civic Center on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.
This is the last of five concerts in the Stanly County Concert Association’s 2023-24 concert season. For season membership or single ticket information, see stanlyconcert.com. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Adult are $25 while students are $10.
“The Stanly County Concert Association will be presenting The Extraordinaires on March 23rd for our final concert of the season,” the SCCA said in a promotional announcement. “This is a great show band and will keep you moving to the music all evening long. Doors open at 7:00 and the concert begins at 7:30.”
With roots dating back over two decades, The Extraordinaires have played private gigs, concerts and festivals ranging all across the country, focusing on a songbook composed of 60s and 70s hits and genres spanning from rock and roll and pop to beach and R&B.
“Formed in the spring of 2003 from a group of guys who love The Classics/Rhythm & Blues, The Extraordinaires have put together a unique blend of music that is sure to get people out of their seats and on the dance floor,” the band stated in a media release. “From the powerful kickin’ horns to the smooth lead vocals, The Extraordinaires have a pure live sound like no other that will keep you coming back.”
On stage, vocalists Sarah Davis Jones and Chase Bunton join bassist Rusty Bunton and drummer Shawn Wilkes, while Chuck Moss (trombone), Steven Foster (saxophone), Doug James (guitar), Mike Huffman (keyboard) and Mark Gaber (trumpet) round out the rest of the group.
The band lists its musical influences as Wilson Pickette, Sam Cooke, Tower of Power, The Clovers, The Temptations, The Drifters, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Kool and the Gang, and Delbert McClinton.
Past concerts in the Stanly County Concert Association’s 2023-24 concert season series have included handbell choir The Raleigh Ringers in August, vocal trio Gaylon Pope & SweetWater in October, the Rowan Big Band All Stars in December, and classical pianists Paul and Sophia Chandley in February.
Established in 1947, the SCCA hosted its first concert at Albemarle High School and later hosted shows at Pfeiffer College (now Pfieffer University). The Stanly County Agri-Civic Center became the home for the concert association in 1989 and has remained so ever since.