The Beaufort County Concert Association continues its mission of bringing nationally known acts to local venues with its Thursday night show featuring hit Nashville songwriters Hits & Grins.

The group, consisting of Steve Dean, Victoria Venier and Broadcast Hall of Famer Bill Whyte, presents a mix of comedy and song using some unique instruments, including gandolin, ganjo, cajon and more, according to Live On Stage, an agency that aids volunteer nonprofit concert presenters in bringing local acts to different areas of the country.

“They’re worth going out to see,” Mark Lewis said. “They’re a very good, down-to-earth, hometown act. They’re not out for just publicity or wildness; they’re funny, but they don’t do anything uproarious, and they just have good ole down-home music. They play country, mainly, but a lot of it is original work, and it sounds good.”

Mark Lewis and his wife, Debbie, from Rocky Mount, saw the act in Gatlinburg about 15 months ago, and on an impromptu trip to Washington, saw a poster announcing an upcoming performance by Hits & Grins. The concert association has had much interest expressed from people from outlying areas much like the Lewises, according to Jerry Oughton, BCCA member.

Pat Wheelock, association member and correspondence secretary, said the concert brings some of the finest entertainment in the country to Beaufort County, offering a variety of music genres and giving the public easy access by showcasing concerts in local venues.

Each year, the association sends representatives to a Live On Stage conference to preview approximately 30-35 shows, where they evaluate the appeal, variety, musical excellence and quality of the acts. The association then selects acts local residents may not have seen or heard before, Wheelock said.

The concert is set for tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchase at the door.

For more information, call Jerry Oughton at 262-946-7909 or visit gobcca.org.