When people in Guilford County think of the Chairman of the Board, they often think of Skip Alston and they get a sour look on their faces because that makes them think of tax increases.  However, there’s another Chairman of the Board – a group not a person – that does nothing but spread pure joy.

And even though General Norman Johnson – the late great frontman for the group (God rest his soul) – passed away in 2010, the group keeps pumping out great music and people in Greensboro and Guilford County can come out and enjoy it.

Even though there is never any parking downtown, walking is good for you – as is dancing.

Downtown Greensboro is bringing back a familiar summer tradition with a slightly new twist.

Downtown Greensboro Inc. announced this week that its TowneBank Summer Concert Series will be back at First National Bank Field, but this time with a broader lineup that stretches beyond its usual beach music roots.

Chairmen of the Board will open the series on April 30, bringing the kind of classic beach and soul sound that’s long defined the event – and, judging by past years, will likely have a large crowd dancing on the field before the sun goes down.

The concert series, sponsored by TowneBank and presented by Berico and T-Mobile/Fiber, will once again take place at First National Bank Field, home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

While the opening act leans into tradition, organizers say the overall goal this year is to shake things up just a bit.

According to Downtown Greensboro Inc. Interim Director Rob Overman, the idea is to widen the tent – keep the beach music that people expect and love, but add in other genres to draw in a broader crowd and keep things feeling fresh.

That means that after the opening night, the lineup takes a few turns.

Camel City Yacht Club takes the stage on May 15, followed by The Shakedown on June 4. Then comes Sleeping Booty on June 18 – a group known locally for its very high-energy shows – before the series wraps up with The Finns on June 25.

So, while longtime fans will still get their beach music fix, they may also find themselves coming out for styles they wouldn’t normally come downtown to hear.

Each show follows the same basic format: gates open at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m., and for a few hours, the baseball field turns into a dance floor.

Tickets are priced to keep the event accessible – $15 for a single show or $50 for the full five-concert package – which helps explain why the series has become such a reliable draw in recent years.

Downtown Greensboro Inc. isn’t just putting on concerts for the sake of it. These kinds of events are part of a broader effort to bring people into the city’s core, keep them there for a while, and, ideally, get them into nearby restaurants and bars afterward.

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