Celebrate the Fourth with Zach Ludlam in Fort Mill

Love of music, plus support and encouragement, gave Zach Ludlam – live Friday for First Friday at Walter Elisha Park, Fort Mill – a head start on in his choice of career.

From guitar lessons as early as 10 years old, Ludlam set on a course to expand his range to include multiple instruments: acoustic, electric and bass guitar; drums and piano. He’s worked hard to get the basics down so he can focus on the future and the finer points of a music career.

At 17, coming up on 18 in August, Ludlam has a lot of the foundation work behind him and looks ahead to upcoming shows where he is joined by a group of musicians, appropriately called The Zach Ludlam Band featuring Ludlam, lead vocals/guitar; sister Alexa Ludlam, lead vocals, percussion; Alec Barbee, guitar, Beth Adams, bass; and Isaac Blalock, drums.

“I get to play close to home this Friday,” Ludlam said excitedly in a phone conversation. The holiday aspect of this weekend also adds a special edge. “I’m excited about the Fourth of July. Doing a show this weekend, that’s a pretty big thing. I’ll probably start the show with the national anthem on electric guitar,” he said. “I’ve been working on getting that down.”

Ludlam’s enthusiasm is obvious. “It’s fun. I love it.” he said. “I love the energy, love making people happy. It’s hard to explain. I could do this forever. It never gets old – especially when the crowd is into it. That helps a lot. Seeing people enjoying the music, makes it worth it.”

Ludlam and the band’s sound lands somewhere along the course of country-rock and pop. But, thanks to many influences – especially a music-loving, musician dad and a highly supportive mom – there’s diversity too.

“I grew up loving Journey, Bon Jovi, and being a big fan of ’80s rock,” Ludlam said. Now, his interests have expanded with modern soundssuch as John Meyer, Kings of Leon, Coldplay. “I also like more bluesy type stuff,” he said.

The bond from stage to audience is vital. “It’s building a connection,” said Ludlam. “I call out to random people in the crowd and point at something or someone like a guy dancing, or say congratulating stuff – that makes them laugh.” Plus, he’s also certain “making eye contact is important.”

Sure there’s lots to learn in the music business, but Ludlam takes it all in stride. “I’m really lucky, being able to do this,” he said. “It’s the only thing I’m really good at, and enjoy doing. It’s a challenge. I like a challenge .Watch me prove it.”

Covering hit songs along with Ludlam’s own popular single release “American Town” are all things to anticipate.

Start a fantastic Fourth of July weekend with The Zach Ludlam Band, Friday for First Friday Fort Mill at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., Fort Mill. For event information, call 803-547-2273 and check firstfridayfortmill.com. For more on the music, visit zachludlam.com.

Elswhere

Friday: Well-Known Strangers at The Handle Bar & Grill, Catawba; Chris Sanchez at Harmony Hall -Carowinds, Fort Mill, Charlotte; The Fill-Ins, Self Made Monsters, No Power No Crown, AM/FMs at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Illusions, Blackleaf, The Cosmic Rabbits, Crow Hollar, The Culturalist, Frank & the AlterEgos, more at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Jane Rose &The Deadend Boys at Tin Roof, Charlotte; Southern Experience Band at Stooges Pub & Grill, Charlotte; Barnyard Stompers at Thirsty Beaver, Charlotte; Appalucia, Fungi Girls, more at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Wicked Powers at RiRa, Charlotte; Greensky Bluegrass, The Honeycutters, Shook Twins at US National Whitewater Center, Charlotte; No Anger Control, Queen City Rejects at Milestone, Charlotte; Revolution, Son of Kick at Chop Shop, Charlotte; Sinner & Saints, Everymen, Megan Jean & the Klay Family Band at Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte.

Saturday: Karaoke & Fireworks at The Handle Bar & Grill, Catawba; Game Face at Brew’s Tavern, Fort Mill; Failure Anthem, Fifty Flies, more at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Gangsta Boo, Elevator Jay, Rapper Shane at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Gene Gene & the Blues Machine at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Charlotte; Donovan Frankenreiter, Stokeswood, Kansas Bible Co. at US National Whitewater Center, Charlotte; Fourth of July Party with Henderson Lane & Loud ‘N’ Nasty at Route Seven Bar & Grill, Gastonia; Aloha Broha with Cat Glenn, The Dinner Rabbits, Dr. Cirkustien, more at Milestone, Charlotte; Zach Ludlam Band (7 p.m.) at Town of Harrisburg’s Fourth of July Celebration, Harrisburg.

Sunday: Scoot at Queens Landing, Lake Norman; Mon Abyss, Mountain Holler, Forgive Me Not at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Bone Snugs-N-Harmony at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; The Business People at Tin Roof, Charlotte.

Monday: Imagine Dragons, Metric, Halsey at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte; Open Mic with 3 Piece Bucket at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Knocturnal w-J-Live, Dinosaur Burps, more at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Open Mic with Normal Dennis at Evening Muse, Charlotte.

Tuesday: Vans Warped Tour with Miss May I, Pierce the Veil, Mallory Knox, Memphis May Fire, Escape the Fate and More at PNC Pavilion, Charlotte.

Wednesday: Swinging Medallions at Romare Bearden Park, Charlotte; Barenaked Ladies, Colin Hay, Violent Femmes at Uptown Amphitheater, Charlotte; Born Anew, Avast, Abyssius, Art of War at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Modern Primitives, Belmont Playboys, Red Jesse & The Dead Men, more at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Ira Wolf at Crown Station Pub, Charlotte; Stu Hamm Band, Alex Skolnick, Joel Taylor at Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte; The Reef, Queen City Dub at Evening Muse, Charlotte.

Thursday: Tracy Taylor Band at Comet Grill, Charlotte; Eric Lindell & Co. at Double Door Inn, Charlotte; The Temptations, The Four Tops at Belk Theater, Charlotte; Nash, Fair at Crown Station Pub, Charlotte; Brook Pridemore, Erik Button, Bo White, Brett Green at Milestone, Charlotte; S.O. Stereo at Chop Shop, Charlotte; Freddy Jones Band at Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte.

“And that was all she wrote.”

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 3:07 PM with the headline "Celebrate the Fourth with Zach Ludlam in Fort Mill."