Who doesn’t like to hear good music? Even better, who doesn’t like to hear great music from a band that got its start in North Carolina? You can do that when Nantucket performs live at the Florence Civic Center in Florence, S.C., on March 3, at the 2012 Myrtle Beach Bike West Expo. Nantucket has an incredible fan base and event organizers expect a good crowd will come and support the band.

Mike Uzzell, a founding member of Nantucket, says that the Florence Civic Center was one of the first venues the band ever played and he is thrilled to return back.

“We used to have lines of people standing out to see us perform,” Uzzell says. “A lot of people send emails wondering why we are not traveling anymore.”

The show gives Nantucket’s loyal and supportive fans a chance to “walk down memory lane” and relive all the excitement of the band’s early days.

Nantucket was created in North Carolina in the city of Jacksonville in 1969. The band originally consisted of six members: Tommy Redd, Larry Uzzell, Mike Uzzell, Eddie Blair, Kenny Soul and Mark Downing.

Beginning as a cover band where they drew lots of attention, Nantucket signed with Epic Records in 1977.

“It was a very lucrative record deal,” Uzzell adds.

Nantucket had much success with their hit song “Heartbreaker” which sold more than 200,000 copies and was featured on the Billboard charts in 1979. The band had the opportunity to open for many popular bands such as KISS, Styx, Boston, Mother’s Finest, Journey and the Doobie Brothers.

“If I told you how many bands we have played for, we would be on the phone for two more hours.” Uzzell says jokingly.

The band has experienced a great deal with their music and the group has established a very loyal and supportive fan base. Although the band was successful, they did not continue with Epic Records.

“During the MTV era and the production of new bands, we missed our opportunity,” Uzzell says.

Nantucket may have experienced some bumps along the way, but they are still a legend in the music industry.

“We were rated number six of bands that should have went big,” Uzzell said.

In 1992 the band released an album titled Still Live After All These Years. The new album featured earlier songs and some new material from the band as well.

Nantucket still plays reunion shows all around the Carolinas for those devoted fans to come out and enjoy, and the show at the Florence Civic Center is no exception. Fans can look forward to hearing the band’s latest single “You Need a Ride to Raleigh”.

“It is a very neat track and a happy song,” Uzzell adds,” a lot of people are responding — young and old — to the song.”

The band will have special guest All My Rowdy Friends which is the ultimate Hank Williams Jr. Tribute Band. Also the original rocker and biker diva Geneva will appear at the concert.

Nantucket will sign autographs for fans and T-shirts will be available from the band.

For more information or to purchase tickets for Nantucket concert or Myrtle Beach Bike Week West Expo visit www.florenceciviccenter. com or call the box office at 843-679-4525.

Photo: Nantucket, in the early years.