Marcus King didn’t plan on making his new album Mood Swings. He didn’t even plan on living much
longer before he started working on it...
Heartache, addiction, and mental health brought him to the brink in 2022. However, it’s more than fair
to say that music brought him back. You can hear it in his grizzled, yet honeyed bellow across these
eleven tracks. The album feels like the moment of baptism when water washes away a life’s worth of sins
and degradation and all that’s left is a revived, yet still real-as-hell primal scream.
It’s as if Marcus strained raw soul straight from his gut up through that broken heart and on to the record
under the watchful eye of Rick Rubin. Pain quakes below the vibrato of his voice, and his delivery weighs
heavy with booze-drenched regrets and mistakes in lonely hotels. Emphasizing his vocals
front-and-center more than ever before, the trusty guitar he’s so often associated with plays the sideman
this time around (though there’s no shortage of impressive shredding).
For as dark as everything seemed, you can’t help but feel a sense of hope in the power of Marcus’s voice.
During a North American tour, Marcus had designs to drink himself to death. He admits, “I had an escape
route already decided for myself and a backup if that didn’t work.”
Nevertheless, fate stepped in.
Rubin saw a performance at the Ryman and decided to cold-call Marcus and they quickly agreed to work
together on Marcus’ next project. During the promotion of his critically acclaimed album Young Blood,
Marcus and Rubin covertly holed up for sessions in Italy and Malibu. Instead of crumbling under the
weight of his anxiety, Rubin inspired him to shift his perspective. Drawing on dark moments where King
was plagued by suicidal thoughts, dealing with addiction and in mental health crisis, Mood Swings also
shares a message of hope. Rubin helped King find a new personal and sonic approach to the turbulent
period in his life that also inspired songs on his previous album. “He helped me view mental health as a
writing partner in a way,” recalls Marcus. “I’ve learned it can give me that creative spark.”
In the studio, he opted to spotlight his voice as well. “There was no hiding behind the guitar at all,” he
grins.
The single “F*ck My Life Up Again” finds him in a space of reflection, recognizing a predisposition to
chase codependent relationships. Strings accent the smoky jazz beat, while his soulful delivery booms,
“Come fuck my life up again, don’t deserve to live without pain.” A guitar solo “played backwards”
channels stark confusion offset by the unshakable hook.
Elsewhere, his high register towers over the bluesy guitar of the title track “Mood Swings.” He adds, “In a
nutshell, Mood Swings is about a guy with ups and downs and his relationship with mental health.”
On “Hero,” co-written with Young Blood cohort Dan Auerbach [The Black Keys], his croon rises over
acoustic guitar towards a fluttering crescendo. The song tells the story of “a free-spirited young girl who’s
not looking for a man to be her hero.” The same naked emotion defines “Delilah” where he depicts “a
coming-of-age tale about learning how to love and how to allow yourself to stay still long enough to be
loved.”

Given his personal challenges, his success is all the more impressive. King is a GRAMMY® nominated
fourth generation musician from Greenville, SC, who started playing guitar at 8 years old following in the
footsteps of his guitarist Father and Grandpa. Logging thousands of miles on the road as “The Marcus
King Band,” he established himself with unparalleled performance prowess and a dynamic live show.
During 2020, he linked up with Dan Auerbach and cut his solo debut El Dorado, garnering a GRAMMY®
Award nomination in the category of “Best Americana Album.” In between packing venues on his own,
he performed alongside Chris St ...

Audacy is a sponsor of the annual Reedy River Ducky Derby again this year. The event is run by the The Rotary Club of the Reedy River Greenville club. It's the largest local Rotary fundraiser providing proceeds to local nonprofits through grants. The nonprofits supported by the 2024 race will not be selected until after the Derby. Still, last year’s nonprofits supported included: Early Act First Knight, Mauldin Miracle League, United Ministries, Girls on the Run, Jasmine Roads, Strides Tutoring, Academy of the Arts, A Child's Haven, Carolina Youth Symphony, Harvest Edge, Project Host, Habitat for Humanity, and more.

The race is Saturday, May 4 at Falls Park in downtown Greenville.
Interviewee: Eric Krichbaum, Head Duck of the Reedy River Duck Derby (corrals the ducks at the race)

Other Details:

• With a goal of 14,000 ducks to race down the falls, community members can expect an exciting and free day at the park.
• The Derby will have live music, face painting, balloon twisting, yard games, and food trucks.
• At 2:30 p.m. sharp, we have our bugler call the race and watch all 14,000 ducks race down the falls.
• For those that adopt ducks, there’s a chance to win a million dollars, a first-place prize of a year of groceries from Publix, a second-place prize of $2,500 cash from the Rotary Club of the Reedy River Greenville, and many more prizes coming in.
• Ducks are currently $10 for a single duck, and a Quack Pack of 4 ducks for $30, and Raft of 10 ducks for $70.
• To adopt your ducks or learn more, visit reedyriverduckderby.com.

PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS
John Force Racing
Career Highlights:
? Winningest Funny Car driver of all time
16-Time NHRA Funny Car Champion
1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013
Victories as owner — 2003, 2009, 2017 (Funny Car
and Top Fuel), 2019, 2022
Inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of
America in 2008.
? First driver in history with 100 wins
? First NHRA drag racer to achieve 1,000 career
elimination round wins

? First driver to set an official NHRA Funny Car elapsed time under five seconds in the quarter
mile
? Most event #1 qualifications in NHRA history
? 156 career wins
zMAX Dragway:
- Won the Inaugural race at zMAX Dragway in 2010 – beat daughter Ashley by .021 of a second
- Winningest Funny Car driver in the 4-Wide Nationals with three victories (plus one win at Carolina
Nationals)
- John Force Racing is going for its fourth consecutive win in Funny Car in the Charlotte 4-Wide
2024 Season So Far:
- LAS VEGAS: 3rd in E1 (most recent race + 4-Wide Format)
- ARIZONA: Loss in E2
- POMONA: WON
- GAINESVILLE: Loss in E2
Fun Facts:
? Father of drag racers Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force, and Courtney Force
? Force, his daughters, Courtney, Ashley, and Brittany, and son-in-law Robert Hight are
collectively known as "The First Family of Drag Racing.”
? Nickname is “Brute Force,” earned by his dominating wins during his run of ten straight NHRA
championships
NHRA 4-Wide Facts:
? NASCAR Hall of Famer and three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will make first ever
Top Fuel start at zMAX Dragway
? “Night of Fire” on Friday — Q2 Nitro Qualifying @ 7:45

? Pyrotechnics display, DJ, elaborate driver introductions
? Vintage rail and stock car show in Showcase Pavilion
? Saturday 8a - 5p, Sunday 8a - 5p
? Speedway Children’s Charities 50/50 Raffle starting Friday, April 26th
? First time hosting at NHRA
? 4-Wide Smoked Brisket Tacos
? Presented in conjunction with Levy Restaurants
? Four smoked brisket tacos with varying toppings
? KSFMX Freestyle Motorcycle team returns to midway for jaw-dropping stunts
? Jeremy "Twitch" Stenberg in attendance

Tickets:
Fans can purchase tickets to the April 26-28 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals online at
charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Every ticket is a pit pass, so come
early to see your favorite drivers and their cars up-close before a festival of 44,000 horsepower ignites
the excitement!

This year’s show will highlight the beauty behind the Classics, celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Mustang, and give guests the opportunity to discover the art of the automobile as thousands of cars flood into the iconic Speedway on Thursday, April 4, through Sunday, April 7.

The second annual Smith Heritage Invitational on Saturday, April 6, will feature a meticulously curated collection of vehicles from the 1911 Indy 500 winning car to what is considered the holy trinity of Ferraris.

Not only will guests enjoy the history, stories, and beauty of the automobile but they can feel the need for speed as they ride shotgun with professional Ford Performance Racing School drivers along the infield road course.

REO Speedwagon
Live In Concert
with special guests LEVON
Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
Friday, March 29, 2024
Tickets start at $39.50 + applicable fees at crowdpleaser.com


Formed in 1967, signed in 1971, and fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon’s unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. Platinum albums and radio staples soon followed, setting the stage for the release of the band’s explosive Hi Infidelity in 1980, which contained the massive hit singles “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run.” That landmark album spent 15 weeks in the No. 1 slot and has since earned the RIAA’s coveted 10X Diamond Award for surpassing sales of 10 million units in the United States.

Today, REO Speedwagon has sold more than 40 million albums around the globe, and Cronin and bandmates Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (guitar), and Bryan Hitt (drums) are still electrifying audiences worldwide in concert with hits and fan-favorites such as “In Your Letter,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Time For Me To Fly,” “Roll With The Changes,” the aforementioned “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On the Run,” and many, many more.

Hootie & the Blowfish
Summer Camp with Trucks Tour
with special guests Collective Soul and Edwin McCain
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Saturday, September 21, 2024

About Edwin McCain
From Charleston, S.C., Edwin McCain is going on over 30 years of hits and worldwide touring. He has been called a “street corner prophet” by USA Today, an “aching tenor” by Slate Magazine and a “great American romantic” by the New York Times, but McCain is much more than those things. After a long ride on a wave created by recording two of the biggest love songs in the history of music (“I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More”) and producing and starring in a TV series (“Flippin’ Ships” on Animal Planet), McCain slowed his road schedule to dedicate more time to his primary roles as husband to his wife and father to their three young teenagers. Well, the kids are grown-ish and McCain’s fans are still clamoring for more as his hit songs, authentic spirit and surprisingly affable sense of humor keep everyone coming back time and time again; not that McCain’s music ever slows down. “American Idol” and “The Voice” contestants still turn to his ballads year after year to help them win over judges and fans. Millions more have been turned on by pop icons Justin Bieber and Charlie Puth who have both covered his hit songs. McCain shares, “15-year-old me would have crawled through a river of fire to be the singer/songwriter that I am today, and I remember that. I am incredibly grateful to be able to do this.” For more information, visit edwin.com.

Jim Breuer is an American actor and comedian from New York. He was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 1998 and starred in the film Half Baked! He has a hit weekly podcast called, The Breuniverse, where he brings people from all walks of life together. Jim’s standup comedy tackles all subjects from marriage and relationships to current events to love and loss (and so much more) all with one goal in mind - to leave people with a little more hope than they arrived!

www.JimBreuer.com

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced today the full driver lineup for NASCAR Night, presented by Alloy Employer Services, on Saturday, January 20th, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena against the Jacksonville Icemen.

The following 14 drivers representing the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) levels will be in attendance for pregame meet and greet, ceremonial puck drop, and other events throughout the evening:

• Corey LaJoie (No. 7 NCS Spire Motorsports Chevrolet)
• Carson Hocevar (No. 77 NCS Spire Motorsports Chevrolet)
• Tyler Reddick (No. 45 NCS 23XI Racing Toyota Camry TRD)
• Harrison Burton – (No. 21 NCS Wood Brothers Ford)
• Todd Gilliland – (No. 38 NCS Front Row Motorsports Ford)
• Josh Williams – (No. 11 NXS Kaulig Racing Chevrolet)
• Chase Purdy – (No. 77 NCTS Spire Motorsports Chevrolet)
• Nick Sanchez – (No. 2 NCTS REV Racing Chevrolet)
• Rajah Caruth – (NCTS driver)
• Jack Wood – (No. 91 NCTS McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet)
• Mason Massey – (NCTS and NXS driver)
• Matt Mills - (No. 42 NCTS Niece Motorsports Chevrolet)
• Ryan Vargas – (NCTS and NXS driver)
• Bryant Barnhill – (South Carolina Native and Late Model Driver)

Additionally, the Swamp Rabbits announced the return of the Crew Chief Package, featuring a question-and-answer session with NASCAR crew chiefs and executives. Special guests for this event will be revealed in the coming days. The Swamp Rabbits also encourage fans to live the VIP life with our VIP Meet & Greet, available to the first 100 purchasers, from 5-6 p.m.

NASCAR Night will begin at 5 p.m. on the Furman Plaza with the Monster Beast Pregame Party on the Plaza featuring the official eNASCAR Simulator for fans to experience the thrill of driving in a NASCAR Race and other fan-focused activities in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet Kids Zone.

While on the plaza, fans can take an up-close look at the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro featuring the Swamp Rabbits-Bon Secours paint scheme, the No. 45 23XI Racing The Beast Unleashed paint scheme, the No. 77 Bama Buggies Chevy Silverado, the Darlington Raceway Pace Car, and more. The pregame festivities will also feature appearances by the Cookout Southern 500 trophy and local racing drivers and personalities in the pregame car show.

General admission doors will open to the public at 6 p.m., allowing fans to enter Bon Secours Wellness Arena and participate in a public pregame autograph session with NASCAR drivers throughout the concourse. The public pregame autograph session is free to those with a paid ticket.

The Swamp Rabbits will wear special NASCAR Night fire suit jerseys that will be auctioned to the public in a live postgame auction. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County.

The Swamp Rabbits return home this week to take on the Orlando Solar Bears for two games tonight, January 10th, and Friday, January 12th, with puck drop slated for both games at 7:05 p.m. EST inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Friday’s game is “Jazz Night”, presented by The Lost Cajun, featuring live music from local performers throughout the entire game. The Lost Cajun will also giveaway branded beads to the first 1,000 fans, good for a free appetizer between now and Mardi Gras on February 13th.