Pickens Could Host The Tams This Summer

Music fans may have a second chance to see beach music legends The Tams this year.

The Tams had been scheduled to headline the first night of the Azalea Festival in Pickens last month, but the concert was canceled due to forecasted heavy rains.

But the Azalea Festival committee is exploring having The Tams return for a concert later this summer, one that might be held in Pickens' new amphitheater, City Administrator Katherine Brackett said.

The concert would be held at the end of August.

Pickens City Council members recently discussed the first slate of events to be held at the amphitheater.

City officials had explored hosting Movie Nights at the amphitheater, but for now, the cost of putting them on makes it unlikely to happen this summer, Brackett said.

“I've pulled movies out for this year,” she said.

She said she hopes businesses will agree to sponsor a movie series in the future.

Buying the equipment needed to show movies in the amphitheater may be cheaper in the longer run than renting it out, Brackett said.

The amphitheater will host the concert portions of the Cruise-In and Music on Main series four weekends in June.

On June 1st the event series will open with a combination of classic and custom vehicles on display. The Katlin Owen Band will provide the country music entertainment. On June 8th, motorcycles will come to town and enjoy rock and roll with the Sideman.
Totally new this year will be an “open” cruise-in on June 15th. It will be a chance for entrants to showcase all kinds of vehicles – classic and custom cars, trucks, motorcycles and more.
Entertainment will come from The Marvin King Band. Jeeps will be featured on the final evening, June 22nd, along with the sweet sounds of bluegrass – The New Dixie Storm.
Food and beverage will be available and other surprises are planned. All four Saturday evenings are free to the general public. Everyone is encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets for amphitheatre seating.

Officials are looking at putting on concerts most weekends throughout the summer, including a series of performances from the Young Appalachian Musicians in July.

She asked council if they would be in favor of programming the amphitheater throughout the summer.

“I'm trying to keep the budget pretty low, but the idea is we're trying to use the amphitheater as many Friday and Saturday nights as we can,” Brackett said. “We're trying to get more for our money this summer.”

Another option is a series of gospel concerts on Friday nights.

She said volunteers would be needed to make events successful.