KC and The Sunshine Band to perform at casino Friday

KC and The Sunshine Band dominated the airwaves in the 1970s with hit single after hit single such as “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s the Way (I Like It)” and “Boogie Shoes.”

Fans of the group can shake their booties during the band’s performance Friday at the Prairie Band Casino & Resort Great Lakes Ballroom in Mayetta. 

Doors to the ballroom open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available the Prairie Band gift shop during normal business hours, by calling 1-888-727-4946 or online at www.pbpgaming.com.

Harry Wayne “KC” Casey was a pioneer in developing a unique sound in the 1970s that blended R&B and funk, with a hint of a Latin percussion groove. The band has sold more than 100 million records.

The band’s music is still relevant with today’s generation and has been featured in the recent movie “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” the television show “Scandal” and several advertising campaigns.

“When I wrote these song, I wasn’t thinking about their longevity,” Casey said in a phone interview Friday. “People enjoy the energy of the music and the fact that it’s upbeat. It’s exciting that they still love the music.”

For more than 40 years, the band topped the charts with seven number one singles and three triple platinum albums. They’ve won three Grammy awards, including Album of the Year for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. 

In 2001, Casey was honored with the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences Governor’s Award, the highest honor given by a chapter of the Academy.

In March, the band released an album of cover songs from the 1960s called “Feeling You! The 60s.” KC and The Sunshine Band pays tribute to several 60s legends, including Bob Dylan, Ben E. King, The Kinks, The Righteous Brothers, Jackie DeShannon and Aaron Neville. 

“I know people have done tribute albums in the past, but I wanted to do my take,” Casey said. “These are the classics. It’s the kind of music that I grew up listening to.”

Casey said the music of the 1960s was inspired by the cultural events happening at that time. 

“The music had more depth and more innocence,” he said. “The music had messages back then - messages of peace and love. That’s what we picketed for. We need those messages today now more than ever.”   

KC and The Sunshine Band became the first act since The Beatles to score four number one pop singles in one 12-month period in 1976. 

To date, the band has performed more than 100 times per year around the world, including countries like China and Latin America. Casey said he’s not ready to slow down writing or performing any time soon. 

“I’m a creative person,” he said. “I’m like an artist who can’t stop painting. I want to put my music out there whether it’s a major success or not, whether it clicks with people or not.”

Casey said that performing live in front of the band’s fans is “very euphoric.”

“Our fans already have a connection with us by listening to our music and reading about us, but we don’t have a connection with them until we get on that stage,” he said. 

While the band is promoting its tribute album to the 60s, the band also recently released its first Christmas album, “A Sunshine Christmas.” 

The album includes classic Christmas songs, such as “The Little Drummer Boy” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” as well as several original Christmas songs with their signature sound.  

“It’s really fun, and I think it came out great,” he said. “It’s definitely a KC and The Sunshine Christmas album.”

Casey said in the phone interview that he was unsure at that time whether Friday’s set will include Christmas songs, but fans will hear many of the band’s hits, as well as songs from the recent cover album.

“We’re going to have a great time,” he said.