Wednesday, April 21, 2004

K.C. set to rock the Fred

Get down this weekend and “Shake your Booty” when KC and the Sunshine Band return to The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater for two shows Friday and Saturday night. The upbeat sound of Harry Wayne Casey, aka KC, and his band of merry music makers perform all the chart-topping hits that brought them international acclaim.

As a seminal part of the 70s disco era The Sunshine Band created their own distinctive niche of funk fusion that is still infectious and fun. Over 75 movies and numerous television ads have featured classics like “Get Down Tonight”, “That’s The Way (I Like It)” and “Rock Your Baby.” Their universal appeal has made them a permanent part of American pop culture and a welcome guest on everyone’s stereo.

Over 30 years ago, the phenomenon started in KC’s hometown of Miami with “Blow Your Whistle” which made it into the top 15 on the R & B charts. Just two short years later in 1975 their second album went triple platinum. They did it all over again the next year with the album, “Part 3” which contained another stack of hits including “I’m Your Boogie Man,” “Keep It Comin’ Love” and, of course, “Shake Your Booty.”

Other musical artists as diverse as White Zombie, Baha Men and Beyonce Knowles have given their own spin on the Sunshine sound, but the unmistakable ßavor is all KC. In the fall of 2001, an album of all new material, “I’ll Be There For You” donated proceeds from the title song to the September 11 relief effort. KC received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002 and a book about his career, “That’s The Way I Like It- The Harry Wayne Casey Story,” was published that fall.

Headlining the “Get Up and Dance Tour” followed in August of 2003 where KC joined other great disco acts like The Village People, Martha Walsh of The Weather Girls, Thelma Houston and The Trammps. Last year also marked Þlm debut of H.W. Casey with a cameo appearance in “The Wedding Party” starring Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks.

Dig out those platform shoes this weekend and head to The Fred as KC and The Sunshine Band usher in the warm weather as another season of classic musical events kicks off at Peachtree City’s popular outdoor arena.

WHAT: KC and The Sunshine Band with opening act Peachtree Confidential

WHERE: The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, April 23 and 24, 8 p.m.

HOW MUCH: $45 per seat

FOR MORE INFO: Visit www.amphitheater.org or Phone 770-631-0630