Nearly everyone I know loves a beach party. However, the closest beach to Augusta is about a three-hour drive away. On Thursday, July 28, the folks at Timms Harley Davidson brought a coastal summer sun-and-fun vibe to the CSRA with an event called Beach Bum Bike Night. It was an evening featuring beautiful bikes, delicious BBQ and live music from local band JC & The Stents.
Dean and I arrived to Timms early because I knew that the parking lot would fill up fast at this event. I wasn’t wrong. Shortly after we got settled, one bike after another rolled down the hill to join others at the bike show. So many colors, so many body styles, so much rumble rolled past me. At that moment, I longed to have a Harley of my own.
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The sweet scent of cigar tobacco rolled over us as we checked out the lines of Harleys parked near the stage. I looked up and noticed that a business called Trapp’d In Da Smoke was parked on the other end of the lot, selling cigars.
Next to the cigar truck stood Munchies Big Smoke Barbecue. A steady line of hungry event-goers took advantage of the opportunity to grab some food for dinner. Tables and chairs had been placed around the property for diners to use. Other attendees milled around the bikes, enjoying conversations and smoking cigars.
My husband Dean is from Milwaukee, the home of Harley-Davidson. He’s a car guy and can tell you anything you want to know about classic cars. Up until that night, I thought I knew everything about my husband. We have been together for nearly twenty years. Imagine my surprise when I found out that he also knows a lot about motorcycles. As he rattled off details about engines and models of the bikes we saw, I know I must have had my jaw wide open.
Pretty soon after Dean surprised me with his bike knowledge, my Facebook friend John Cotten and his band JC & The Stents took the covered stage set up in front of the dealership. This was to be our first time seeing them perform live, having only previously watched some of their videos online. I was eager to hear what they would do, and I was thoroughly surprised and excited when they began their playlist.
Their version of “Call Me The Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd started the show with a bang. The classic rocker grabbed everyone’s attention and the band gave the tune a powerful punch. They followed up with two other classic rock songs “Green River” by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” Of Steppenwolf, Dean mentioned that the band couldn’t have picked a more perfect song for a bike show.
Other songs JC & The Stents played included a blues number by Stevie Ray Vaughn, the hit “Cold Shot.” Next, they countrified their set with “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash then launched into “Wagon Wheel” by a locally favorite musician, South Carolina native Darius Rucker. The set list was a fantastic selection of classic rock and country with a few newer hits included. The band was hot, with a tight rhythm section, blistering guitar work, and vocalists who gave a commanding performance. They are on my “must see” list for sure, and they should be on yours, too, if you enjoy classic rock and country.
Timms Harley-Davidson hosts special bike nights on the regular. Check them out and keep an eye on their events here: https://www.augustahd.com
JC & The Stents is a high-power classic rock, country and blues band that plays at venues all across the River Region. Watch their Facebook page for updates on upcoming shows: https://www.facebook.com/groups/788260118614541
Feel like a little live entertainment this weekend? On Friday, Matt Dahlheimer brings his acoustic genius to “The Little Stage That Could” at Stillwater Taproom. Show starts at 9 p.m. On Saturday, head to Southbound Smokehouse in North Augusta for the grooving sounds of Khaliko and Zach Deputy. Show is free and music begins at 8 p.m. For a night of jazz, check out the Matthew Davis Band at Candlelight Jazz on the Augusta Common on Sunday. Event starts at 7:30 p.m. with a $10 admission fee. Bring a blanket or chair and a cooler for an evening under the stars.
Francie Klopotic is an author, artist and music aficionado living in Augusta. She writes The Night Beat column the first and third Fridays of each month.
