5 questions with Grammy-nominated blues artist Marcus King
King’s newest album “Mood Swings” is out now. | Photo by GVLtoday
Though he moved to Nashville to pursue his music career (including a Grammy-nominated debut album and a second album that topped the Billboard Top Blues Albums Chart), Marcus King is a Greenvillian at his core.
Born in Greenville, SC with music in his blood, King is a fourth-generation musician: His great-grandfather was a fiddler, his grandfather played the fiddle + guitar, and his father — Marvin King — is a guitarist who performs across the Upstate. King also studied under jazz guitarist Steve Watson at the Fine Arts Center right here in Greenville.
City Editor Danielle here. I recently caught up with the blues singer to learn about his favorite Greenville spots, what he has to say to his loyal longtime Greenville fans, and when we’ll see him return to the Upstate for a performance.
When you come back to visit, what do you have to do? Where do you have to eat? What’s on your must-do Greenville checklist?
Well, you gotta go down to Stone Avenue and go to Horizon Records to see our buddy Gene Berger, pick up something obscure from his collections. And I’ll tell you, you gotta go to Mike and Jeff’s Barbecue or you gotta go over to Petee’s over on White Horse Road — that’s my favorite spot to get a burger. Or you can’t go wrong with Henry’s Smokehouse. Always good.
You’re coming home. Can you tell us about that? When are you coming back so people can see you perform?
August 24 + August 25, the Family Reunion returns, and this will be the first time we’re doing it on South Carolina soil. We did the first three up in North Carolina, but we’re going to be in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Marcus King Band, Avett Brothers, Sierra Ferrell, Band of Horses, and many more. That’s going to be amazing. We cannot wait.
From his favorite barbecue to a “thank you” to his loyal Greenville fans, click the button below for three more questions.
“Poverty, by Greenville”| Wednesday, May 1 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Peace Center, 300 S. Main St., Greenville | $39 | Featuring Pulitzer Prize winner Matthew Desmond, “Poverty, By Greenville” explores groundbreaking research on the complexities of poverty and highlights bold strategies to address them.
Open House | Wednesday, May 1 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Ultimate Driving Museum, 190 Manatee Ct., Greer | $10-$30 | Be one of the first to experience the museum’s newest exhibit “MINIs To The Max: 65 Years of Spirited Adventures” celebrating the evolution of MINIs.
Cynthia Sayer | Thursday, May 2 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Sigal Music Museum, 516 Buncombe St., Greenville | $5-$20 | This banjo player crosses genres and plays with a trumpet
+ string bass trio.
Friday, May 3
Liberty Bridge Paint Lesson | Friday, May 3 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Vino & Van Gogh, 1818 Augusta St., Ste. 112, Greenville | $40 | Paint the Liberty Bridge in black and white with artist Suanne Hall.
The Gambler Returns: The Ultimate Kenny Rogers Tribute | Friday, May 3-Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | Greenville Theatre, 444 College St., Greenville | $38-$40 | Experience the music of Grammy Award-winning artist Kenny Rogers.
Friday, May 10
Artisphere presented by TD Bank | Friday, May 10-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | Main Street, Greenville | Free entry | Mark your calendars: Artisphere presented by TD Bank is back for its 20th year in downtown Greenville, May 10-12. Enjoy crafts, delicious food, live painting, street performers, and more.*
Meet Riverside: Amenity-rich apartments for the active at heart
Presented by Willow Bridge Property Company
Looking for a sign to move? This is it. | Photos by Kevin Ruck
Just steps from the Reedy River, Riverside offers an upscale living experience complemented by an abundance of amenities.
Inside each apartment, you’ll discover features like granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, contemporary wood-style cabinetry, designer finishes, walk-in closets, and more.
“Great Wall” — a short film about Khailing Neoh opening Sum Bar — was nominated for a 2024 James Beard Media Award. The film, by Undercurrent Film Company, was directed by Rioin Oshiro + produced by Neoh and Evan Rogers.
Open
Sofrito Rotisserie Latin Kitchen is now open at 2801 Wade Hampton Blvd., Ste. 23 in Taylors. The restaurant features your Sofrito favorites, like rotisserie chicken, mofongo, and stuffed potatoes, but is a quick-service restaurant. (Upstate Business Journal)
Festival
Save the date. Greenville Country Music Fest will unveil its 2024 lineup on Monday, May 6. This is the festival’s fifth year + early-bird tickets and camping go on sale Friday, May 10 at 8 a.m.
Drink
There’s also a new music festival in town. Forgefest — Fireforge Brewing’s inaugural three-day music festival — is Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16. Check out the full lineup.
Eat
Duke’s Mayo Hot Tomato Summer — a 10-day long celebration of restaurants creating dishes with Duke’s Mayo + tomatoes — is back for 2024. If you’re a restaurant interested in participating, register today. If you’re a Duke’s and tomato fan looking to taste, block off Thursday, July 18-Sunday, July 28.
Arts
Hop over to Camperdown to check out this new mural celebrating 20 years of Artisphere, which will take over Downtown Greenville Friday, May 10-Sunday, May 12.
Calling all realtors. We haven’t stopped thinking about this dream closet that’s currently on the market for $5.3 million. Do you have a picture-perfect closet also on the market that makes all of The Home Edit fans gasp? We want to see it, and we may feature it in a future article.
Job
We want you. Yes, you: The curious-about-the-world person who is a creative thinker, passionate writer, big reader, hard worker, and organized desk-haver. If these traits describe you, see if you’d be a fit for our Junior Branded Copywriter role. We’re hiring now.
Family
Help your kid score big this summer. Registration for the YMCA of Greenville’s summer basketball is now open. The season starts June 29 and runs through Aug. 3 for this developmental league, which meets each athlete where they are. Learn more + register.*
Ranked #12 in The Princeton Review’s “Best Schools for Making an Impact”, Furman’s graduate programs can help you fast-track your career with in-demand skills. | Photo provided by Furman University
Ready to make a real-world impact? Furman University is offering two specialized master’s degrees perfect for individuals looking to create change within the communities they serve:
Whether you aspire to lead social action through MAAES, or drive innovation and collaboration through MSIL, these programs offer transformative learning experiences.
Applications for the Fall 2024 semester are due on June 1.
I feel like I blinked and April disappeared. Wasn’t April Fools, like, two days ago? At least it’s officially Artisphere month. It’s no secret I love a Greenville festival + there’s a lot of fun planned to celebrate 20 years of Artisphere. You know we’ll have it all covered for you.
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