Laurinburg After Five draws crowd for final concert

LAURINBURG — James L. Morgan Recreation Complex was the place to be Friday if you wanted to dance or show some team spirit.

The Laurinburg After Five brought together Scotland County residents to listen to music by the Fantastic Shakers and cheer for members of the Scotland High School football team. The event is sponsored by the Laurinburg-Scotland Chamber of Commerce and Murphy Brown.

More than 500 people spread across the complex, sitting in law chairs and on blankets, some tossing footballs and quite a few swaying to the the beach music performed by the Fantastic Shakers.

Lead singer Bo Schronce and his band have been shaking and shagging across the Carolinas for 37 years now, playing everywhere from Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Laurinburg’s own backyard.

A life-long fan of the band, Annie Newton, refers to the herself as the mother of the band. She’s so close that she gave band members a key to her house.

“I’ve been watching them for 40 years and they played at my wedding,” said Newton, who planted a chair right near the stage to show her support for the band and the After Five event.

“This is the third or forth one I’ve been to and it’s been really good,” Newton said. “Just one piece of advice, bring your bug spray.”

The summer concert series also allowed the Fighting Scots football team to make their debut.

“I’m excited to get started,” said Coach Richard Bailey after players came piling out one by one. The marching band, cheerleaders and football players were all introduced to amp up the crowd for the upcoming season.

“This community loves football, they rally around this football team and Friday Night’s a great event in Scotland County … it brings this community together across social and color barriers,” Bailey said.

Abby Hackmann can be reached at 910-506-3171.

Scotland linebacker Jonathan Smith announces that he will attend the University of North Carolina next fall.

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6915.jpgScotland linebacker Jonathan Smith announces that he will attend the University of North Carolina next fall. Abby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange

The Fighting Scots football team lines up one by one after their introduction to the crowd.

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6875.jpgThe Fighting Scots football team lines up one by one after their introduction to the crowd. Abby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange

The crowd for the final Laurinburg After Five event waits in anticipation for the football team to come out.

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6801.jpgThe crowd for the final Laurinburg After Five event waits in anticipation for the football team to come out. Abby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange

The crowd gets a little groovy during the Fantastic Shaker’s set.

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6803.jpgThe crowd gets a little groovy during the Fantastic Shaker’s set. Abby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_66451.jpgAbby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange

Coupled shag, shimmy and swing to Friday night’s beach music played by the Fantastic Shakers.

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6670.jpgCoupled shag, shimmy and swing to Friday night’s beach music played by the Fantastic Shakers. Abby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange

People from all over Scotland County pile into Laurinburg After Five with their lawn chairs in hand.

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6757.jpgPeople from all over Scotland County pile into Laurinburg After Five with their lawn chairs in hand. Abby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange

A crowd of about 500 crowd around the stage for Laurinburg’s final After Five event.

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6762.jpgA crowd of about 500 crowd around the stage for Laurinburg’s final After Five event. Abby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange

Three children hold hand while they walk to the stage to listen to the Fantastic Shakers.

https://laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_6775.jpgThree children hold hand while they walk to the stage to listen to the Fantastic Shakers. Abby Hackmann | The Laurinburg Exchange