-By Martha J. Henderson

Design Editor

When you attend an event that features a parade with more than 400 horses, mules and wagons, it's hard to imagine that you'll also find a stellar lineup of some of the hottest musical acts in the country at the same venue.

Well, folks attending the 55th annual Robbins Farmers Day, August 5, 6 and 7, will discover quickly that horses and music - all sorts of music, from gospel and country to bluegrass and rock 'n' roll - can indeed be found and enjoyed at the same location.

While gospel music kicks off the three-day event on Thursday, it's bluegrass music that gets things hopping on Friday evening. Passin' Thru bluegrass band hits the Railroad Stage at 6 p.m. and the good times will only get better from there.

Passin' Thru

Passin' Thru features the vocal talents of all four of its members, CH Lineberry, Dwayne Runyon, Mark Burgess and Jim Damron.

Lineberry, a native of Seagrove, plays guitar for the band. He has been playing bluegrass music since he was a boy and is known for having one of the clearest lead vocals in the business. Lineberry took first place in the senior rhythm guitar category at the 25th annual Yadkin Valley Bluegrass Convention in April 2010.

Born and raised in the southern part of West Virginia, Runyon was introduced to bluegrass at a very young age by his father, Kenny Runyon, who had a major influence on Runyon's playing and singing. In addition to vocals, Runyon plays the banjo for the group.

Burgess has played bluegrass since his childhood in Seagrove. He and Lineberry have been friends since childhood and have played music together for years. Currently residing in Ramsuer, Burgess plays the mandolin and lends his good baritone vocals to the sounds of Passin' Thru.

Another West Virginia native, Damron now makes his home in Thomasville, N.C. He has been playing bluegrass music since his childhood with his father, who taught him to play the -mandolin and the upright bass. He plays bass for Passin' Thru.

Runyon and Damron have known each other and played music together since they were young boys. They both played in a band called Long Tyme Comin' as well as with Mark Templeton and New Vision, before joining Lineberry and Burgess in Passin' Thru.

Outshyne

Closing out the evening on the Railroad Stage will be Outshyne, which takes the stage from 9 p.m. to midnight.

The band will return to the Railroad Stage from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Outshyne also will play on the Post Office Stage Saturday evening between 8 p.m. and midnight.

A group of high school friends who decided to take their love of music to the next level, Outshyne has been performing since May 2007.

Members include Waylon Owings, lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Josh Coleman, lead guitar and vocals, David McCall, rhythm guitar, Jason Paxton, bass guitar, and Matt "Smiley" Norris, drums.

Based out of Laurens, S.C., Outshyne is a country band with a rockin' edge that is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after concert bands in the Southeast and across the nation. The band opened for Lee Brice in Darlington's Carolina Nightlife in 2009, and also played the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, S.C., as the opening act for Corey Smith.

In addition to winning the Carolina Music Award for 2009 Country Band of the Year, Outshyne was named last year's Country Band of the Year at Carolina Nightlife and the Queen City Music Awards in Charlotte.

The group also has opened for acts such as Smith, Robert Earl Keen and others.

Outshyne plays a wide range of music from a variety of performers, but always country with an edge.

Rockin' Horse

Saturday's musical entertainment gets off to a rockin' start, literally, when Rockin' Horse brings its versatile musical performance to the Fidelity Bank Stage from noon to 4:30 p.m.

One of the premier bands on the Eastern Seaboard for more than 20 years, Rockin' Horse plays a wide variety of music from high-energy Top 40, favorites from the '70s, '80s, '90s and current music, as well as good ol' time rock 'n' roll.

In 1984, Rockin' Horse charted No. 42 on Cashbox Billboard with "Let a Little Love In."

Rockin' Horse got its start in the early '80s, when two fraternity brothers from Chapel Hill decided to create a unique band that blended a variety of quality music to entertain any type of venues. Over the years, band members have changed, but the group continues to draw praise and excellent reviews.

Current band members include Doug Allred, keyboard , guitar and lead vocals, Allen Allred, lead guitar and lead vocals, Rick Everly, bass guitarist and lead vocals, and Ron Tickle, drums.

Sand Band

The Fidelity Bank Stage will be bursting with local flavor when the Sand Band performs from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Since forming in 1999, the Sand Band has emerged as one of the premier beach music bands of the Carolinas. The five-piece band from Pinehurst plays a variety of dance music, blues and classic rock 'n' roll, but their heart belongs to the music of the Carolina coast - Carolina beach music.

Sand Band members are Rick Martin, Daryle Lemonds, Steve Lapping, David Kellis, Henryl Baldwin and Tim Short.

The Sand Band's performance at Robbins Farmers Day will include a special guest appearance by Cammy Award-winner Terri Gore.

Currie Clayton Jr.

Hailing from Burlington, Currie Clayton Jr. will amaze Farmers Day audiences with his guitar playing which has been described as "incredible." Audiences will also enjoy Clayton's wide variety of -musical genres as he performs from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Railroad Stage Saturday.

Clayton began playing drums when he was only 3 years old. At 15, he learned how to play his sister's guitar and has been playing ever since.

He has played in various bands over the years and is currently performing up and down the East Coast individually, with a trio or with his full band, Currie Clayton and Last Call.

Clayton released his first CD, "Carolina Red Mud," in September 2003.

Mountain Creek Harmony

From 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., three groups will perform on the Railroad Stage. The first, Mountain Creek Harmony, is noted for its traditional and original Southern gospel songs and hymns.

Based in Albemarle, Mountain Creek Harmony has been together since April 2001. The group's members, Summer Miller, Aaron Otten and Monica Otten, describe themselves as "just a bunch of young 'uns who want to sing and tell about the love of the Lord to anyone who will listen."

Miller, the group's soprano, grew up singing Southern gospel music with her grandparents on their farm in Finger, N.C.

The group's tenor is Aaron Otten, who has been involved in music throughout his life and loves singing for the Lord. Otten also is one of the songwriters for Mountain Creek Harmony.

Otten's wife, Monica, is the alto for Mountain Creek Harmony. She began playing piano by ear at age 7, and began writing songs at 16. She is currently a songwriter, as well as pianist and arranger for Mountain Creek Harmony.

Mountain Creek Harmony has received several honors, including first place in the North Carolina Mountain State Fair Gospel Group Competition and national finalists in the televised INSP Network's Christian Artist Talent Search.

Their CD "Get Out There" was released in September 2007.

Sons of Thunder

Next up on the Railroad Stage Saturday evening will be the Sons of Thunder quartet.

The Sons of Thunder got their start in Clemmons in 1993, as a group of men who sang regularly in the choir at their home church. A favorite around the Clemmons community, their rich harmonic blend and unique a cappella style led to the expansion of their gospel music -ministry in 1999, and their -repertoire and reputation has continued to grow.

Two of the group's founding members, Paul Davis, first tenor, and Rob Bowers, bass, still sing with the Sons of Thunder. They have been joined by Mitch Camp, second tenor, and Dan Booth, baritone.

Over the years, Sons of Thunder has been afforded many exciting opportunities, including receiving the 204 SOGO Award as the Southern Gospel Regional Artists of the Year. The group also has recorded several CDs.

Michael Combs

Closing out Saturday evening on the Railroad Stage will be the music ministry of Michael Combs.

Combs, from Todd, N.C., is known for his unique style. Whether singing, playing the -guitar or playing the piano, Combs faithfully shares God's message in song, holding strong to his faith and belief that all he needs is found in God.

Combs says many of his original songs are inspired by "God's love and mercy, what it means to be saved and to encourage other Christians (as well as myself)." These also are the foundations for his full-time music ministry.

Johnny and the Cadillacs

Moore County's own Johnny and the Cadillacs will be bringing down the house and closing out Farmers Day on the Post Office Stage Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Johnny and the Cadillacs is a stand-out group that delivers a diverse selection of music from several genres.

The group's lineup includes music from the '50s and '60s delivered with a modern twist that makes these timeless songs come back to life. Classic rock from the '70s and '80s is served up with the energy and enthusiasm that made this music great. Johnny and the Cadillacs also brings the best of today's music.

With musical styles deeply rooted in blues, rock, Southern rock, funk and soul, Johnny and the Cadillacs is guaranteed to have fans dancing in the streets.

This band of seasoned musicians includes Johnny Enloe on lead vocals. Enloe delivers a charismatic and energetic -performance every time. On lead/rhythm guitar, Robert Enloe brings hot leads and solid rhythms. Matt Kuhn and Cecil Monroe lay down a backbeat and keep the pocket tight.

Since forming in July 2003, Johnny and the Cadillacs has played at some exciting high--profile venues, including the Greensboro Coliseum, the Robeson County Fair, Carthage Buggy Festival, the Stoneybrook Steeplechase at the Carolina Horse Park and Relay for Life. The band also is always a -popular addition to the entertainment lineup at Robbins Farmers Day.

The band also performs at area nightclubs and other venues.

So whether you want to tap your toes to a bluegrass or -country band, boogie down with some classic rock 'n' roll or dance the shag to the best in Carolina beach music, you'll find the beat you're looking for in the entertainment at Robbins Farmers Day.

Contact Martha J. Henderson at mjhenderson@thepilot.com.