Not just an ‘average’ night on the square

By Victoria Ewing Ware

Guest Writer

Meschell Berrong, Tim Burch, Bryan and Seth Hedden, Eric Ledford, Chris Logan and Lee Moss are members of the Joe Average Band. You’ll find these family names all over the county, on road signs, the library, a church and professional businesses. So it wouldn’t be unusual to meet someone with any one of these names on your average Friday night in Clay County, right? Well,  Friday, June 14 will not be just any average night on the Hayesville square.

That’s because all these names will be represented when local talent Joe Average Band takes the Historic Courthouse gazebo stage for the 2024 Clay County Communities Revitalization Association Friday Summer Concert Series.

The Joe Average Band was originally formed in the early 2000s. Comprised of an insurance salesman,  teacher, plumber, forester, a food sales rep and  CT-Scan tech. The members all grew up within 10 miles of Hayesville. They took an extended break when the members married, had children and prioritized raising their families and tending to their businesses. An invitation to play at a private wedding in 2022 reignited the band’s passion for performing classic songs.

Last year one member’s son joined as a vocalist rounding out the sound of this six-member pop-rock group that plays songs that people know. They’ll entertain the crowd singing 70s and 80s pop rock, with some 50s, 60s and country tunes sprinkled in. Expect to hear covers of the Beatles, Sheryl Crow, Doobie Brothers, The Monkees, Van Morrison, Orleans, ZZ Top and more.

CCCRA’s free, family-friendly concerts are made possible through sponsorships and donations from private individuals, businesses and organizations, along with the collections in the red buckets on concert nights. This year three community businesses are key sponsors Hwy 69 Storage; The Richard Kelley Group - RE/MAX Town & Country and Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Jodi Sullivan.

This Friday, Pic-A-Nick Basket Deli and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 532 are the food vendors so come early to grab your favorites before they run out. Quench your thirst at Laughing Dogs Brewing’s tent with one of their popular local brews or other beverages.

Parking on the square fills up fast but free transportation is available to and from nearby parking lots via Clay County’s “mass transit authority” — Historic Hayesville Inc’s Red Rider golf cart. CCCRA encourages everyone to bring family and friends, lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy an evening on the iconic town square.

Come to the Hayesville square, enjoy the community spirit and cheer on our local Joe Average Band. Food and Beverage service starts at 6 p.m. and music at 7 p.m.

For the safety of everyone, if inclement weather threatens and CCCRA must make the hard call and cancel the concert, an announcement will be posted on the CCCRA’s Facebook page and website: www.cccra-nc.org.