Celebrate with Sawyer Brown Saturday in Lancaster

Feel-good fun with a country pop kick rolls into town with Sawyer Brown live Saturday at Bundy Auditorium on the USC-Lancaster campus in Lancaster.

This Nashville, Tenn.-based band is celebrating its 30th anniversary with this tour and the release of its 23rd album, “Travelin’ Band.”

The album is more than a bit autobiographical; the title tune is about the band’s road playing clubs, TV appearances on “Star Search” then high profile tours.

“Every night we play that song in the show,” said lead vocalist/songwriter Mark Miller. “I look at my brothers beside me on stage and think how blessed I am that I get to share the ride with these guys.”

Along with Miller, Sawyer Brown features Gregg “Hobie” Hubbard, keyboards; Jim Scholten, bass; Joe Smyth, drums; and Shayne Hill, lead guitar.

Named for a road near where they rehearsed, members of Sawyer Brown has a long list of achievement including: 50 singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts with three that made it all the way to No. 1. The band picked up a Horizon Award from the Country Music Association in 1985, judged Vocal Group of the Year in 1997 by the Academy of Country Music and was awarded Vocal Band of The Year five years at the TNN Music City News Country Awards.

“We are just who we are – period,” Miller said. “From the beginning, we didn’t want to sell ourselves as something we weren’t. We’re blue collar, working class guys from the neighborhood who just happen to get up on stage at night and make music.”

A favorite part of touring for the band is walking around town and just soaking it in.

Keep an eye out for the boys in the band with Sawyer Brown live Saturday at Bundy Auditorium, 476 Hubbard Drive on the USC-Lancaster campus. This concert is part of the city of Lancaster Performing Arts Series. For event details, call 803-286-8414, 803-289-1486 or go to lancastercitysc.com. For more on the music, visit sawyerbrown.com.

Songwriters’ round

Be a part of the EarthStrong Songwriters’ Round along with notable songwriters at 9 p.m. Friday at Madison’s on the Corner in Fort Mill.

Focused on reggae and rock songwriters, the event features several favorites including: Zach Fowler, (Sun-Dried Vibes); Jeremy Anderson, (TreeHouse!); Sean Gregory, (Signal Fire); Cameron Brown, (Of Good Nature) and Austin Smith, (Roots of a Rebellion).

Along with music, the group will also celebrate Fowler’s birthday. Possibilities await at the EarthStrong Songwriters’ Round,Friday at Madison’s on the Corner, 900 Crossroads Plaza. Call 803-802-3990 for more info.

Christmas concert

The holidays will get a boost at the Ananda Christmas Concert, Sunday at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church in York. The word ananda is Sanskrit for perfect bliss and the Ananda Duo puts that notion into motion.

Combining favorite PJ Brunson, vocals/guitar/ piano; and accomplished virtuoso Laurie Neal, violinist; the result is musical wonder and joy The Ananda Duo Christmas Concert is 4-5 p.m. Sunday at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church, 5780 Allison Creek Road. For more information, call 366-1302 or visit allisoncreekchurch.com as well as anandaduo.com.

Elsewhere

Friday: Sonny Skyyz Band at Empire Pizza II, Newport; The Oneppo Brothers Band at John’s Place, Fort Mill: Rusty Pilot at the Handlebar, Catawba.

Saturday: Khaos Kings acoustic at Original Empire-Celanese Road, Rock Hill; Rayen Solo Acoustic at Hobo’s, Fort Mill; Jamie and Steve at Big Ben British Pub, Charlotte.

Sunday: All of a Kind Band, Project Hope Food & Fund Drive at Madison’s on the Corner, Fort Mill.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Celebrate with Sawyer Brown Saturday in Lancaster."