CHOCOWINITY — Billy “Crash” Craddock and his Dream Lovers Band will launch the holiday season with a concert at the Tar Heel Variety Theater in Chocowinity.

Saturday night, the theater will host “Christmas with Crash,” following opening band Chad Delph and the Country Revivers’ performance at 7:30 p.m.

Tar Heel owner Angelia Lewis said it may be his third or fourth time playing the theater, and he always puts on a good show and draws a large audience.

“If you love for (a show) to be kind of high impact, you know his songs that that made the top 10 — he does not act like 76 or 77. He does not act his age, I’ll tell you that,” Lewis laughed. “He is so much fun to be around. And what you see onstage — that’s how he is offstage.”

Originally from Greensboro, Craddock first found musical success with a string of rockabilly hits in Australia during the 1950s. By the 1970s, he had found another niche in country music and had several No. 1 country hits including “Rub It In,” “Ruby Baby,” “Broken Down in Tiny Pieces” and a remake of Tony Orlando and Dawn’s hit “Knock Three Times.”

Craddock has a dedicated fan club, members of which travel to see him live, Lewis said.

“They’re coming from Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Florida — they’re coming from all over — Georgia, to name a few,” Lewis said.

Saturday’s concert is the first in a Christmas series at the Tar Heel. On Dec. 9, Jeff Williamson and the Messengers, Nicky Harris and the Tar Heel Singers will play a Christmas show; the following Saturday, dinner will be offered with the Christmas show which will also include performances by Jeff Williamson and the Messengers and the Tar Heel Singers.

Tickets for “Christmas with Crash” range from $25 to $35. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tarheelvarietytheater.com or call 252-975-2117.