Just about everyone who watches local TV has seen a commercial for TowneBank – the bank that considers its customers “members” since they’re part of the banking family, and the one with the commercials that show bankers taking calls from clients long after banking hours end.

Well, the bank also likes to have a positive impact on the community it serves and it will certainly have an impact on area beach music fans.

 On Thursday, May 9  the phenomenal Chairman of the Board, a band that essentially defined the genre of beach music for a generation, is still going strong despite the 2010 death of the magnificent General Norman Johnson.

The group will perform at the first TowneBank Beach Music Festival, which is back this year in downtown Greensboro. It will kick off five weeks of festivals where there will be a whole lot of shaggin’ going on this spring and summer.

It isn’t free, but every group is easily worth the price of admission: Tickets for the festivals are on sale now, with a bundle special available for the 5-week package. General admission tickets will be $15 per concert – or $50 will get you the whole 5-week package.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at downtowngreensboro.org.

On Thursday, May 16, The Embers will perform, and on Thursday, May 30, Jim Quick & The Coastline will be the entertainment.

Anyone who’s seen the band Eric & The Chiltones, which will perform on Thursday, June 13, knows that the group’s frontman – highly accurate weatherman Eric Chilton – is the most musically gifted weatherman for a long way in every direction.

That local band is always a crowd favorite.

The festival will end up in a big way on Thursday, June 27 with the legendary group The Tams.

 So, it really should be a grand couple of months for area beach music lovers.

Scott Baker, the president of TowneBank Triad said in a prepared statement that he’s thrilled about bringing in the groups and putting on the festivals.

“TowneBank is excited to partner with Downtown Greensboro, Inc. for a second straight year to bring the Beach Music Festival to Greensboro, a family-friendly activity for all ages that celebrates a music genre that has been long supported in our community,” he said.

“TowneBank is committed to serving others and enriching lives in the communities we serve, and the Beach Music Festival is another way to do just that,” Baker added. “We hope everyone can attend Beach Music at least once this year and enjoy a great time with family and friends.”

The five concerts, presented by Berico and Toyota of Greensboro, will be held, once again this year, at First National Bank Field, the home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

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