Spring Concert Series to feature The Chill on April 26
By Sherry Lucas
The Chill will perform at Lions Club Park on April 26 as part of the Spring Concert Series.
As the Spring Concert Series continues in Olde Towne Clinton on Saturday, April 26, The Chill’s classic Motown-based playlist, with top fun contemporary hits like “Uptown Funk” woven in, is guaranteed to have people dancing in the streets.
The Chill brings their forty-plus years of steady rocking know-how back to the stage in Clinton with a party-perfect vibe that has never failed to get folks on their feet.
The free concert starts at 6:30 p.m. on the Atmos Energy Stage at Lions Club Park.
The Chill formed in Vicksburg in 1983-84 with an aim to play at the World’s Fair, and it grew from there, band co-founder John Howard Dennis said. There have been a few musician changes in the lineup over the decades, but this great Southern band retains its good ol’ dance band bona fides. Listen up for David Cummings from Clinton on the drums and vocals, Dennis on bass guitar and vocals, Carl Reed on lead guitar and vocals, Beaver Myers on trumpet and keyboard, David Battaglia on saxophone, Todd Bobo on saxophone and Lee H. Abraham out front on lead vocals and guitar.
“The horns are a real plus, and there are four of us who actually sing,” Dennis said. “We do outrageous harmonies — the vocals are unreal, and the horns don’t do anything but add to it.”
The Clinton concert is a welcome public outing for the band, which mostly does private events these days, and they look forward to a return to town. In a seven-piece band with three horns and four singers, there’s a lot of action on that stage.
“The guys are really good. They know what they’re doing,” Dennis said. “When you’ve got that much going on at the same time, you’d better know what you’re doing!”
The food truck Bri’s Banging Burgers will be onsite for the April 26 concert. Taylor Pitchford, co-owner with Bri Jones, said they’re known for their burgers, but also Philly cheesesteak, lemon pepper catfish, chicken wings and strips.
Jones and Pitchford are social workers who met through work.
“We call ourselves the Burger Flippin’ Social Workers,” Pitchford said. The business got its start during the pandemic. Her son, “such a people person,” asked to have a concession stand. When kids came by while she was cooking chicken-on-a-stick for her children, they asked about that, too. Word spread, and parents came out.
“One of the children said, ‘Y’all need to open a restaurant.’ We found a food truck, and it’s been on ever since.”
On the beverage front, look for Rollin’ Sips, the super-cute beverage truck venture of Trevor and Jessica Leal. This is a weekend hobby business for the couple. Trevor Leal, manager of Sherwin Williams in Clinton and Jessica Leal, a schoolteacher, had an epiphany when they first spotted such a pull-behind beverage station, and had one made in Virginia.
“It’s just something to do in our free time,” Trevor Leal said. He hopes their presence throughout the Spring Concert Series will catch more eyes, boost their visibility and generate more business. Beverage choices are beer, lemonade and possibly cold brew coffee.
Additional concerts in the series will be on May 10, featuring the RedHots, and May 24, featuring the Epic Funk Brass Band. All concerts start at 6:30 p.m., and concert-goers are asked to bring their own blanket or chair. Lions Club Park is located at 200 East Leake Street.
