38 Special brings 50 years of Southern Rock to CFCC’s Wilson Center
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College is proud to announce that southern rock band 38 Special will perform at CFCC’s Wilson Center on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. as part of their Milestone – 50 Year Legacy Tour.
Celebrating more than five decades together, the Florida-bred band continues to tour tirelessly, sharpening their craft of performing live that’s been their calling card for a half-century.
Formed in 1974, 38 Special has sold more than 20 million albums and solidified its place in rock and roll history with favorites like “Hold On Loosely,” “Caught Up In You,” “If I’d Been The One,” “Back Where You Belong,” and “Second Chance.” Known for their signature blend of muscle and melody, and arenarock pop hooks, the band has spent decades touring the country and bringing their sound to generations of fans.
As the band enters its sixth decade, 38 Special continues to evolve with their recent album Milestone, their first studio release in more than 20 years.
Fueled by snarling guitars, anthemic melodies, and the desire to break new ground, the band bridges the gap between past and present without forgetting their rock and roll roots. Frontman and co-founder Don Barnes describes the album as a modern take on the band’s signature sound.
“We wanted to create a more modern 38 Special album,” says Barnes. “This is a fresh, updated approach to the sound we’ve been making together for so long. When you’re reintroducing yourself to the world, ‘good enough’ doesn’t work anymore. If you’re gonna do it, you might as well go big.”Recorded between tour dates, Milestone captures the same high-octane energy that has defined the band’s live performances for decades. The current lineup — Barnes, guitarist Jerry Riggs, drummer Gary Moffatt, keyboardist Bobby Capps, and bassist Barry Dunaway — continues to pay respect to the group’s history while keeping their eyes glued to the horizon ahead of them.
Tickets will become available Wednesday Mar.18, at 10 a.m. General sale begins Friday Mar.20, at 10 a.m.
