Big hits, lawn chairs and a little nostalgia are once again on the menu as the Gates Four Summer Concert Series welcomes 80s Unleashed and Autumn Tyde for an evening of music under the stars.

The concert takes place on Saturday, June 27, at Gates Four Golf & Country Club, 6775 Irongate Drive. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with music beginning at 7 p.m.  The concert itself is free, but concertgoers can purchase VIP experiences through the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://fayettevilledinnertheatre.com/shop/.

For longtime musician and producer Doyle Wood, founder of Daxwood Productions and a member of Autumn Tyde, the appeal of the series goes beyond the stage.

“The Gates Four Summer Concert Series has become a destination for people who love live music and want to enjoy a fun evening with friends,” Wood said. “People come out to dance, sing along and just have a great time together.”

This year’s show combines the energy of 80s Unleashed with the versatility of Autumn Tyde, a band Wood formed in 2023 after years spent focusing on studio work and music production.

“I didn’t like all these other guys having all the fun,” Wood joked.

The veteran guitarist and producer may have stepped away from performing for a time, but music never left his bloodstream. Through Daxwood Productions and Daxwood Records, Wood has continued producing artists and recording projects while building a band made up of seasoned musicians whose backgrounds range from higher education to church music ministries.

“We’ve got really good players,” Wood said. “Everybody’s versatile. Some of these guys play multiple instruments, and that’s what makes this band special.”

On June 27, Autumn Tyde will perform as a five-piece group featuring guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and horns. But don’t let the number fool anyone. The lineup is stacked with musicians who seamlessly switch roles. One keyboard player doubles on guitar, the drummer can play bass, and the horn section covers everything from soprano saxophone to aerophone.

The result is a sound that allows the band to move effortlessly between genres while keeping audiences guessing what might come next.

Concertgoers can expect a musical journey through the decades with selections from Prince, Santana, Eric Clapton and the Eagles mixed throughout the evening. Wood said the band plans to lean into the spirit of the night while adding its own flavor.

“We’ll just try to have fun with it,” he said. “That’s really what it’s all about.”

Sharing the bill is 80s Unleashed, fronted by Brian Shaw, whom Wood has known for years.

“They’ve got a great trio,” Wood said. “They always sound good.”

Bill Bowman, publisher, Up & Coming Weekly, is the mind behind the Gates Four Summer Concert Series. He has long supported free concerts in the area.

“80s Unleashed brings incredible energy to every performance,” Bowman said. “They know how to connect with the crowd and create an experience that lets people relive some great memories.”

For Wood, the setting itself is part of the attraction. Having performed and participated in tournaments at Gates Four for years, he appreciates the atmosphere as much as the music.

“It’s a nice venue,” he said. “You’re sitting right there on the 18th green. People bring their lawn chairs, some sit under the covered area, and hopefully, we’ll have great weather. It’s always a fun show out there.”

Those who attend the concert will find several amenities. Two full service bars are available. Food trucks will be on site, and indoor dining options are available, too. Door prizes are also part of the fun. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to watch the free concert.

Wood believes Fayetteville and the surrounding region are blessed with an abundance of musical talent.

“A lot of seasoned players have landed here,” Wood said. “People may not realize just how many great musicians there are in this area.”

As for what keeps him returning to the stage after decades in the business, Wood says the answer is simple.

“What these guys do for me is keep me young by trying to stay musically fit,” he said with a laugh. “The work is just taking the gear out there. The rest of it’s fun.”

And that’s exactly what concertgoers can expect, a celebration of summer, friendship and timeless music, served with plenty of heart and perhaps a few memories from decades gone by.