Until recently, it was not easy to catch the Southern Crescent Band at any venue. After 1988, the band became a full-time private party band, so if you saw them you had to have an invitation. However, during the summer of 2006, the band started playing in public again.

The Southern Crescent Band even made an appearance during last year’s Downtown Sounds, but could not finish their second set due to weather. Jim Ball, drummer and manager of the band, hopes the band can hang around a little longer this year.

“We really enjoyed the short time we were on stage,” Ball said, “We were disappointed because we wanted to play for those people; the crowd was awesome.”

Ball touts the band as a human jukebox; the band prides itself on sounding very similar to what they are covering. The band plays intricate guitar songs like “Freebird” and “Rock This Town,” but they make sure to always play a KC and the Sunshine Band medley to switch to the disco era.

According to Ball, the band tries its best to look for more unusual, rare covers that most bands don’t play. Ball is not ashamed to brag on the band for covering Stevie Ray Vaughan, an artist that is seldom covered by even big name musicians.

“It’s important that if we play beach music, for example, we don’t sound like a rock band playing beach music,” Ball said, “We can actually sound like the authentic genre every time.”

Ball said that while weather did put a damper on the experience last year, the band still looks forward to playing for the bigger variety of people an outdoor festival provides. He said the vibe is much more spontaneous that way.

“With a more varied crowd, you have a better chance to play everything,” Ball said, “Our main goal no matter what we play is to send people away smiling.”

What: John Barrett-Bill Marcie Properties Downtown Sounds

Who: Southern Crescent Band

When: 6 to 9 p.m. tonight

Where: Anderson County Courthouse plaza, Main Street, Anderson

Admission: Free

Concessions: soft drinks, water, beer and wine; $1 for a wristband to buy alcohol; tickets required for beer and wine

Information: www.independentmail.com/downtown-sounds