Mike Parker: April 18 – A Busy Saturday
This Saturday, April 18, promises to be a busy day for those interested in food and music. The CSS Neuse Foundation is hosting this year’s first “Breakfast on the Boat” on April 18. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the CSS Neuse II, the replica gunboat in dry dock at the corner of Herritage and Gordon streets.
“Breakfast on the Boat” will feature its traditional fare: scrambled eggs, bacon, link sausage, grits, biscuits, and a beverage. All food except biscuits is prepared on the grounds next to the CSS Neuse II by the Neuse II’s Galley Crew. Tables will be available aboard the Neuse II and on the dock.
Another staple of “Breakfast on the Boat” is a performance by The Gunboat Boys. The band will be on hand to provide live Civil War-period music as well as traditional bluegrass. The group is noted for its renditions of songs such as “Cindy,” “O Suzanna,” “Goober Peas,” and “Tom Dooley.” The Gunboat Boys also do a few period gospel songs, such as “How Firm a Foundation” and “Poor Wayfaring Stranger.”
“Two Little Boys,” the story of two youngsters who grow up to be soldiers during the war, is sure to tug at your heartstrings. “The Vacant Chair” is a hauntingly beautiful song about the loss war often brings.
Make Mom proud – stop by for breakfast.
At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, move over to Pearson Park for the Down East Christian Music Festival. This year’s festival features Jackson Heights, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Small Town Sunday, and Carolina The Band.
Jackson Heights has a rich history. Emerging from the Dixie Melody Boys Band, which pioneered the Christian country music genre in the 1980s, Jackson Heights continues to create music that combines modern country sounds with a powerful, positive message.
In 2012, the band reunited for a special performance in Kinston, NC. That reunion rekindled their passion, showcased the timelessness of their music, and set the stage for a fresh start. In 2015, band members rebranded their group as Jackson Heights, named after the community where they once all lived.
Jeff and Sheri Easter are a Southern gospel group led by the husband-and-wife duo of the same name. Jeff Easter and Sheri Williamson met in August 1984 during the Albert E. Brumley Sundown to Sunup Gospel Sing in Arkansas. At the time, Jeff was the bassist for the Singing Americans, while Sheri was performing with The Lewis Family. After their introduction, they married ten months later, in June 1985.
Afterward, Jeff and Sheri traveled and performed with The Lewis Family. In 1988, they decided to pursue their music career alone. Since then, they have released several albums and have been nominated for various awards.
From the heart of Bessemer City, North Carolina, Small Town Sunday brings a refreshing blend of faith, harmony, and heartfelt country soul to audiences everywhere. Small Town Sunday delivers a sound that feels both nostalgic and new – a timeless mix of tight harmonies, genuine storytelling, and uplifting messages of hope.
The group’s journey began in 2012, when Matthew Branch, Holly Branch, and Stefen Robertson first joined voices as the dynamic country vocal band Dixie Still. Over the years, their unmistakable blend of harmony has elevated them to Country Group of the Year at The Carolina Music Awards for two consecutive years.
Dynamic performances, exceptional songs, pristine vocals, enthusiasm, and genuine passion for their audience are qualities that define few music groups, but CAROLINA THE BAND fits that definition. For years, CAROLINA has toured the nation, captivating fans night after night, honing their skills, and delivering unforgettable performances.
Following their 2018 release, “AMERICAN MORNING,” CAROLINA has just completed two recordings: “TURN A Legacy of American Songs” and “COUNTRY CLASSICS: Carolina Style,” produced by the renowned Wayne Haun in Nashville, TN. These new recordings feature songs of Faith, Family, and Freedom drawn from the Great American Songbook and Country Music heritage.
Admission to the festival is free, and food trucks will be on site when those hunger pangs hit. Bring your own lawn chair! Pearson Park is located at 210 W Gordon Street in Kinston.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
