Music under the stars at Come-See-Me tailgate
Singer/songwriter Marcus King, 20, has been on a determined career path for most of his young life. Billed as a rising star with virtuoso guitar skills, King brings his band The Marcus King Band to perform live at the Come-See-Me Tailgate Party on Saturday at Winthrop Lake-Winthrop University in Rock Hill.
King hails from nearby Greenville, and his career arc has picked up some speed in the last year or so, as noted in a national music magazine.
But, King’s legacy goes much deeper. A third generation bluesman, he is following in the footsteps of his father, bluesman/guitarist/singer Marvin King, who with his band Marvin King & The Blues Revival remains popular on the Carolina music scene. So, it’s no surprise to discover that the younger King got his first guitar – an electric – when he was 7 years old.
He spent time jamming with his father before forming his own group. Then things began to pick up speed with cross-country tours and high-profile opening slots for Foo Fighters, Johnny Winter, even Gov’t Mule led by Warren Haynes.
Not too long before the Gov’t Mule gigs, King and band took time off to record their first album, “Soul Insight,” in California. Then it was back to the Carolinas for more Gov’t Mule shows. Somewhere along the way Haynes discovered he liked what he was seeing well enough to pick up King’s album for his Evil Teen label. Haynes will also produce the follow-up release.
The apparent speed of career highs is mostly a testament to King’s talent and determination. One very vital factor is the band, which features Jack Ryan, drums; Stephen Campbell, bass; Justin Johnson, trumpet/trombone/ backing vocals/tambourine; Matt Jennings, organ/keyboards; Dean Mitchell, saxophones; and of course, Marcus King, guitar/vocals.
King views this lineup as ideal, particularly since they developed the music together. Now, he’s ready to take it anywhere, pledging to “come out kicking.”
Experience exactly how this rock/blues/funk and soul sound goes down, Saturday at the 2016 Come-See-Me Tailgate Party with The Marcus King Band on the Founders Federal Credit Union Stage (7-8:45 p.m.) at Winthrop Lake, Winthrop University, 1162 Eden Terrace, Rock Hill.
And there’s more: folk and country by Remedy Hollow (3-4:30 p.m.); classic/alt rockers and area favorites Crashbox, (5-6:30 p.m.); a skydiving exhibition at 6:45 p.m.; then the finale – a Fireworks Extravaganza wraps up the evening at 9. Details: 803-323-2129 and 803-329-7625 or visit comeseeme.org/entertainment. For more on the music, go to marcuskingband.com.
Other shows
Friday: Mike Faulkenberry & The Whiskey Prophets, Brad Bailey at Moonlight Jazz & Blues, Winthrop Lake, Winthrop University, Rock Hill; Oneppo Brothers Band at Sandbar Grill, Rock Hill; Soul Therapy at Empire Pizza II, Newport-Rock Hill; Shannon Warren at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Carolina Nation Band at The HandleBar Tavern, Catawba; SRO at Madison’s on the Corner, Fort Mill.
Saturday: Jody Edwards & Co. at Original Empire Pizza, Rock Hill; Hoodwinked Rock at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Matt Tucker at WingBonz Live, Rock Hill; Dollar Signs, Drat the Luck, Townhouse, White Elvis, Concerts at the Courtroom-Gettys, Rock Hill; Pete’s Birthday Bash at Sandbar Grill, Rock Hill; Chubby Knuckles Band, Trey Butler at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s-Baxter, Fort Mill; SRO at Pineville Tavern, Pineville.
Sunday: York County Choral Society-Byrnes Auditorium at Winthrop University, Rock Hill; Chubby Knuckles, Trey Butler at HandleBar Tavern, Catawba;
Monday: Open Mic at Madison’s on the Corner, Fort Mill.
Send bio, press kits, photos, music links to my Facebook or jetstar413@aol.com or Debby Jet Jennings, PO Box 13, Catawba, SC 29704. More info on myspace.com/jetrockmedia.
Want to go?
Here’s what you need to know.
Entry fee is $5 for adults 21 & older (valid IDs required). CASH ONLY. Free for those under 21. Parking is $5 per car in the Winthrop Coliseum parking areas; no vehicles are allowed into the Lake Area. Prohibited items and activities include tailgating in parking lots, glass bottles (including wine bottles) and containers, beer kegs, pets, vendors, household furniture (i.e. sofas, etc.), skateboards, hover boards, bikes and rollerblades, tiki torches and similar lighting, campfires/bonfires, motorized scooters, golf carts and RVs. Grill Trailers are not permitted – no exceptions. However, small grills you can roll or carry are permitted.
Grounds must be vacated by 10 pm. Trash and recycling bags will be available and attendees are responsible for cleaning up their Tailgate site. Cancelled if rain. Contact ComeSeeMe@comporium.net or 803-329-7625 for additional information
This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Music under the stars at Come-See-Me tailgate."