CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 59 F ayetteville will host its 32nd Annual Dogwood Festival on April 25-27. e three-day attraction continues to bring thousands of local residents and tourists to the heart of downtown Fayetteville each year to see artists, vendors, live entertain- ment and more! For those of you who haven't had the chance to see what the city's spring celebration is all about, picture a fair-like setup in the middle of downtown Fayetteville, complete with colorful tents exuding smells of deep-fried goodness and barbecue, screams of fear and joy coming from thrill- ing carnival rides and lots of people hanging out and ulti- mately having a good time. "I always go to the festival," said Kristin Matthewson, a Raeford resident of six years. "I like that I can sit on a blanket, listen to good music and enjoy the North Carolina weather." e Gin Blossoms, Who Are We and the Nantucket Band have performed on the Fayetteville Dogwood Festi- val stage, but this year's act has been a long time coming. still making Fayetteville proud for over 30 years By kELLIE GEnTry Headlining the stage Friday night will be the Marshall Tucker Band (pictured above), a Southern country rock band that has been performing hits, such as "Can't You See" and "Heard It In A Love Song," since the early 70s. e Marshall Tucker Band plays a blend of rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, country and gospel music that has mesmer- ized its audience for generations. e band is led by singer Doug Gray, who is the only original member still playing today. Other current mem- bers include B.B. Borden on the drums, Pat Elwood with bass and vocals, Marcus James Henderson playing the key- board, saxophone and flute as well as singing vocals and Chris Hicks along with Rick Willis on guitar and vocals. Although the original band has changed its members since its start, they are still able to keep the good times roll- ing. In fact, the band's tour schedule is so full of perfor- mances that parties looking to book MTB must do so al- most a year in advance and has never been available during the festival in years past. Except this year! But Carrie King, executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, says landing the only available gig dur- The Dogwood festival FEaTurE Marshall Tucker Band

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