On Thursday, Aug. 19, the Fayetteville Museum of Art is sponsoring a concert free to the public. It is part of the Fayetteville After 5 series, and the “ambassador of Beach Music,” Craig Woolard and his band, are going to play.

The band consists of seven people. Keith Stone who plays the trumpet, Donald Jordan on the guitar, Andy Swindell playing the keyboard and acoustic guitar, Grey Watson on the bass and vocals, Alan Wentz as the sound man, Russ Whitman on drums, and of course Craig Woolard as the front man.

The front man, Craig Woolard, has been in music since he was 14, and had been with his previous band the Embers for more than 27 years. When they parted in 2004, he created the Craig Woolard Band (CWB). He has also won many awards including the 2004 Carolina Beach Music Awards (CBMA). He won Entertainer of the Year, 2004 Male Vocalist of the Year, and Best Duo for “Cruisin’” with Marsha Handcock.

Craig Woolard is most known for beach music, but he has an extensive variety of music in his repertoire.

“Craig’s catalog of music is well diversified. Included, of course, are all the standard songs you would expect to hear from a legend in Beach Music, but with Craig you get so much more. If you were to hear him sing “Georgia on My Mind” you would swear Ray Charles was in the house. His version of “Hot Legs” and “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” might even fool Rod Stewart,” his website claims.

When describing Craig Woolard, the most common words that come up are charismatic and showman. “Craig is committed to giving the audience more than their moneys worth. When you attend a function with Craig as the featured performer, you will be caught up in the fun. More than just an artist, Craig relates to the crowd, and insists that they have a good a time as he has, Many people can sing, but Craig has a special gift that is light-years above the rest — he is a showman, and that’s the difference,” proclaims the official Craig Woolard Band website, and since Fayetteville after 5 is free there is simply no going wrong there.

On Aug.19 you can come on down to Festival Park at the corner of Ray Avenue and Rowan Street, downtown, across from Headquarters library, and watch the “Soulman of Beach” perform free of charge.

Bring a chair or blanket to relax on the grass, and a couple of bucks for the vendors around the park. Leave pets and outside foods and beverages at home. At 5 p.m. the gates open and at 5:30-6 p.m. the opening acts start. CWB will come on at about 7-7:30 p.m. and will last until about 10 p.m. It is a family friendly event, but adult beverages will be available from a vendor in the park.

Just remember, according to the CWB website, “If you want a band with high energy, charisma, a variety of music, and unsurpassed showmanship, then it is simple — you want the Craig Woolard Band.”