Summer Concerts in the Park: now more, and on new day
Ten shows starting Wednesday June 8th
After over 20 years of doing these free shows on Thursday nights in town, we have switched to Wednesday nights this year at the request of some local businesses, who are expanding their list of bands to Thursdays. Thankfully, we got a few more grant dollars this year from the Lyons Community Foundation which will bring us some special guests.
Starting Wednesday June 8th with Joe Kuckla and the Irons in the Fire band we kick off the season at Sandstone Park this year. Joe is a great singer/songwriter/ performer with lots of energy, whether it is covers or his wonderful original tunes. Joe will keep the park rocking and folks dancing. One of the most loved bands in town.
June 15th we also have one of Lyons music fans favorites with Eben Grace and The 89’s. Not only is Eben a fabulous guitar player and singer but his songwriting is getting better with each song. His very tight band consists of Brian Schey on bass, Colin Mahoney on percussion and Joe Massa in guitar. These guys will rock the park.
One of the special shows I was able to pull off is one you all should catch on June 22nd with The MA Band which includes Lyons own bass master Eric Thorin, with Lionel Young on electric fiddle and slide guitar. Lionel is the only winner of both the solo and band contests in the Memphis International Blues Challenge Ever!! They also have two award winners from The Subdudes band from New Orleans with John Magnie on keyboards and Steve Amedee on percussion. As if that is not enough, they will have Erica Brown and her daughter M.J. singing backups. This will be a unique, funky, and very danceable show that you will not catch very often around here, and it is one people will talk about for a long time. They all sing, and the harmonies will be first class.
June 29th will feature Greg Schochet and Little America – Greg was the lead guitarist for Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams and now is fronting his own band. Greg was the winner of the 2021 Rocky Grass flatpicking contest. He is joined by Dusty Rider on banjo & pedal steel, Damon Smith on drums, Jeremy Mahoney on sax and Colin Hollingsworth on upright bass playing all kinds of Americana music very well.
July 6th, Beth Gadbaw will bring a new group of friends to the Sandstone Park series. Gadbaw is known as a Celtic angel for her Irish style singing and drumming. She will be joined by Sarah Wong on fiddle and nyckelharpa, Sheldon Sands on keyboard, Mark Anton on guitar and vocals. Expect the unexpected from this local Lyons Lassie and her friends as she returns to what she calls her favorite stage. The music will have a unique international feel.
On Wednesday, July 13th., local bluegrass favorites The Blue Canyon Boys will grace our stage. Their vocal harmonies are true examples of that high and lonesome sound of traditional bluegrass and can take a popular song and make it bluegrass, they have been around a long time, and it shows. These guys are as tight as it gets, and they play all over the world.
July 20th it is the Elbow Brothers. They are a band that started during the pandemic; and their greeting was touching elbows, as they gathered in separate rooms to practice. Rocking Americana tunes from The Band to Little Feat, with great vocals and originals.
July 27th will be an incredible Bluegrass night with The Lonesome Days; and special guest, Lyons’ own Grammy award-winner Sally Van Meter on steel guitar and dobro. The Lonesome Days are a five-piece, award-winning, traditional band that loves to play cross-over covers. This one will be a tremendous night of great bluegrass played by some of the best in our area. Sally is a once-in-a-lifetime player, who will help make this a special event – one not to missed.
Wednesday, August the 3rd we have a new band to this series with Espresso, who merge two musical traditions with red-hot interpretations of American swing and Gypsy Jazz favorites. The traditions of the past come alive with powerful instrumental leads and vocal. The band consists of Chanteuse Emily Reynolds on guitar and vocals, Bill Pontarelli on clarinet, Duane Webster on upright bass, and national mandolin champion Jordon Ramsey. Very danceable.
The last scheduled show will be August 10th with The Bonnie and Taylor Sims band, an old favorite that is still as powerful and melodic as always. Bonnie is a consummate entertainer, and her husband is an exceptional guitar player. They both write the songs and sing great – either together or on their own. This will be a fitting rocking close to a wonderful music series.
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I also want to let you know that on Saturday June 4th at Bohn Park for the Artisan fair Jake Leg, a new local bluegrass band, will play from noon to 2 p.m. The band features seasoned award winners Eric Wiggs on guitar, Dylan McCarthy on mandolin, Justin Hoffenberg on fiddle and Troy Robie an upright bass. Outstanding musicianship and vocals make this band one to see live, as their improvisations make each show unique and different.
…………………..David McIntyre
