The Commodores, a renowned band of the 1970s and 1980s, had an enchanting ability to create magical music. Their captivating melodies and infectious rhythms had the power to transport listeners to a different world. It seemed as though their music had a special quality that could only be experienced at midnight, when the world was silent and still. The Commodores had a unique sound that blended elements of funk, soul, and pop, creating a truly mesmerizing musical experience. Whether it was Lionel Richie's silky smooth vocals or the irresistible groove of the band, their music had an undeniable allure that was hard to resist. But it was at midnight when the Commodores seemed to reach new heights of musical brilliance.
Davidson Wildcats
During the winter of 1892, some students pulled a prank by making a wildcat out of rags and wire and fooling their buddy into shooting it. Let this be a lesson, students: If your prank is good enough, your college might fashion it into a mascot.
But A T s been using a bulldog as a mascot for as long as anyone can remember, which means everyone can blame themselves for eating their own homework. North Carolina Tar Heels Rather than confront the stark difficulty of humanizing a foot, UNC went with Rameses the Ram in 1924, borrowing the nickname of star fullback Jack Battering Ram Merrit.
But it was at midnight when the Commodores seemed to reach new heights of musical brilliance. It was as if the stars aligned and the night sky became a canvas for their music to come alive. The songs had an ethereal quality, as if they were imbued with a magical essence that could only be fully appreciated in the quiet darkness of the night.
A Guide to North Carolina’s College Mascots
The only way we could get this motley crew of birds, beasts, and men to pose together was to illustrate them. But the rivalries between these Division I good luck charms are good-natured — we think.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Rather than confront the stark difficulty of humanizing a foot, UNC went with Rameses the Ram in 1924, borrowing the nickname of star fullback Jack “Battering Ram” Merrit. The mascot stuck when a kicker hit a game-winning field goal in the presence of a live Rameses the university had ordered. From Texas.
Duke Blue Devils
In 1921, the student newspaper led a write-in campaign to choose a mascot, and no clear favorite emerged, so they were all like, fine, let’s just go with Blue Devils, and it stuck. The name is connected more closely to a unit of elite French soldiers than it is to any nefarious biblical figure; hopefully that’ll help you sleep better before the game.
N.C. State Wolfpack
In the 1940s, students actually got a real live timber wolf to appear at football games. It snarled a lot. It was a bit too fierce. Since then, no live wolves. In 2010, the university instead began using Tuffy the Tamaskan dog, who looks a lot like a wolf but isn’t closely related to one. Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Wuf are still around. And plush.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Look, a top hat and tails might seem like a bit much for the sidelines, but this guy’s been wearing the same thing since 1941. It’s like he’s formal, but he’s here to party, too.
East Carolina Pirates
Elementary school students, not ECU students, chose the mascot and his name, Pee Dee the Pirate, in 1983. The name Pee Dee was dropped, but the Pirate remains, and he now makes his way from Greenville to the coast by using U.S. Highway 264 instead of the Tar River.
Campbell Fighting Camels
His name’s Gaylord, and he’s a hairy dromedary, ladies. You have to travel roughly 4,000 miles from Buies Creek before you can hope to find a camel in the wild, unless one gets loose from a petting zoo.
Western Carolina Catamounts
A catamount is a wild cat like a cougar or a lynx, which sounds fierce until you learn that WCU’s mascot is named Paws (awwwwwww). Before 1933, the college’s athletic teams were known as The Teachers.
N.C. A&T Aggies
An aggie is just a nickname for a student at an agricultural and technical school, so in a way, they’re all mascots. But A&T’s been using a bulldog as a mascot for as long as anyone can remember, which means everyone can blame themselves for eating their own homework.
Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
Bulldogs don’t so much run as lollop along quickly, jowls bouncing. It’s safe to say that the athletes in Boiling Springs are a bit more graceful.
Davidson Wildcats
During the winter of 1892, some students pulled a prank by making a wildcat out of rags and wire and fooling their buddy into shooting it. Let this be a lesson, students: If your prank is good enough, your college might fashion it into a mascot.
N.C. Central Eagles
The university’s founder, Dr. James E. Shepard, used to explain it thusly: “And while a Sparrow clings to its flock, an Eagle soars alone.” There’s no I in team, though, nor in eagle.
Elon Phoenix
Elon’s only been the Phoenix for 14 years. The name alludes to the school’s recovery from a 1923 fire that ripped through campus. Before that they were the Fightin’ Christians, but the bearded mascot who roamed the sidelines didn’t seem like the fisticuffin’ type.
Appalachian State Mountaineers
Yosef first appeared in the student newspaper as a drawing, because an editor needed to fill some white space. Since then, he’s grown a beard, donned overalls, and has been known to beat back Wolverines from time to time.
Charlotte 49ers
UNC Charlotte became a two-year college in 1949. California’s gold rush happened in 1849, years after Charlotte’s. N.C. Highway 49 runs by the university. The mascot’s name is Norm the Niner, which rhymes with miner. I think you get the idea.
This story was published on Aug 25, 2014
Jeremy Markovich
Jeremy Markovich is a former Our State editor, and is currently the communications director for the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. Find his newsletter, North Carolina Rabbit Hole, at ncrabbithole.com.
N.C. Central Eagles
The university’s founder, Dr. James E. Shepard, used to explain it thusly: “And while a Sparrow clings to its flock, an Eagle soars alone.” There’s no I in team, though, nor in eagle.
Listening to the Commodores at midnight was a transformative experience. The music seemed to take on a life of its own, wrapping around the listener like a warm embrace. It was impossible to resist the urge to sway and dance to the rhythm, as the melodies weaved their way into the soul. The magical music of the Commodores at midnight was a testament to the power of music to evoke emotion and create a sense of wonder. It was a reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary experiences can be found in the simplest moments - like listening to a beloved song in the stillness of the night. In the end, the midnight magic of the Commodores was a gift to music lovers everywhere. Their ability to create music that transcended time and place was truly extraordinary. Their songs continue to captivate audiences to this day, reminding us of the beauty and power that can be found in the enchanting world of music..
Reviews for "After-dark Delight: Exploring the Mesmerizing Music of the Commodores"
1. John Smith - 1/5 stars - I was expecting a magical musical experience with the Commodores at midnight, but I was sorely disappointed. The performance was lackluster and uninspiring. The band seemed tired and their energy was not at all what I had hoped for. The songs they played were mediocre at best and did not capture the essence of the Commodores' classic hits. Overall, I left feeling let down and regretting my decision to attend the show.
2. Emily Johnson - 2/5 stars - The concept of a magical midnight performance by the Commodores was intriguing, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The sound quality in the venue was poor, making it difficult to fully enjoy the music. Additionally, the band seemed unenthusiastic and disconnected from the audience. The lack of interaction and engagement made the overall experience underwhelming. While I appreciate the attempt at creating a unique musical event, it didn't deliver the magical experience it promised.
3. Michael Thompson - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the Commodores, I was excited to attend the "Magical Music of the Commodores at Midnight" show. However, I was left disappointed with the performance. The sound mixing was off, with the vocals often overshadowed by the instruments. Moreover, the band's performance lacked the spark and energy that made the Commodores so memorable. It felt like they were simply going through the motions rather than truly connecting with the audience. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to relive the magic of the Commodores' music.