“Christmas with The Embers,” the iconic beach music band's popular holiday show, is coming to Kinston at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Kinston-Lenoir County Performing Arts Center. General admission is free. VIP tickets for $35 include a pre-show reception with The Embers and preferred seating. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. Doors open for general admission at 6:30 p.m. For VIP tickets or for more information, call Tutt Media Group at 252-939-3990.
In a run of success that has spanned more than four decades, The Embers have released more than 25 albums and singles and have made touring and an energetic stage show a major part of their continuing popularity. These days, the band averages 225 shows a year.
Each November and December, much of that time on the road is devoted to “Christmas with The Embers.” Now in its eighth season, the show has taken The Embers around the Southeast and, in 2007 and 2008, to South Korea to entertain troops at American military bases there.
“We started out doing it years ago and started out on the wrong foot, with a lot of comedy,” Bobby Tomlinson, the band’s founder, leader and drummer, said. “We came to the conclusion we needed to put the Christ back in Christmas. If you come to see the show, you will leave ready for Christmas.”
The show’s playlist combines traditional Christmas carols like “O Holy Night” and popular tunes of the season.
“ It’s an upbeat show, a lot of fun and you come out and get to know The Embers and get to see a side of The Embers you don’t usually get to see,” Tomlinson said.
The Kinston show is the last chance for Embers’ fans to celebrate the holidays with the band before Christmas.
This is the second consecutive year Tutt Media Group has brought “Christmas with The Embers” to Kinston. Also sponsoring the Dec. 21 show are Atlantic Medical Group, Lenoir Community College, Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Realo Drugs, Sand in the Streets and The Free Press.
“I like to think of this show as a Christmas present to the community from Tutt Media Group and our other sponsors,” Clark Tutt, owner of the Kinston-based broadcast group, said. “This is a great show by a great band coming at a great time of the year, and general admission is free. We hope that makes the holiday brighter for a lot of folks.”
In addition to Tomlinson, a native of Goldsboro who grew up in Raleigh and is the group’s last remaining original member, The Embers are Wayne Free (lead vocalist, musical coordinator and trombone), Jeff Grimes (guitar, sax and vocals), Stephen Pachuta (trumpet and vocals), Tuff Blanton (bass and vocals) and Jimmy Weaver (piano and vocals).