fans of summer sounds will be happy to know that Greensburg’s free Friday night concert series is on track for a full 14-week season starting June 3. Nine groups are already under contract.
That was good news for attendees of SummerSounds’ annual Sponsor and Volunteer Appreciation Night, held at All Saints Brewing Co. in Hempfield on Tuesday.
Canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the series returned late last summer for an abbreviated eight-week run.
The first is Sideline, a North Carolina-based bluegrass jam band who missed a date last year when their bus broke down on the way to Greensburg. Organizers scrambled to find a replacement, with Pittsburgh bluesman Billy Price hastily assembling a band for the night.
Price and his group will be back on June 24, as a thank you for their help, said Uncomfortable jamesco-founder of SummerSounds and chairman of the board.
Group co-founder and booker Dick McCormick announced the rest of the schedule: Honey Island Swamp Band, June 10; Elton Rohn, July 1; Sessions Americana, July 8; O’Connor/Lee, July 15; Joslyn & Sweet Compression, July 22; Sweet Lizzie Project, August 5; and Remember Jones, August 12.
The dates still to be filled or confirmed are June 17, July 29, August 19 and 26 and September 2, the last week.
Entering its 21st season, the concert series is produced solely by volunteers, many of whom have been there since the beginning.
James called up a long list of helpers, including Janet McNeelwho recently resigned after 15 years of managing the volunteer team.
SummerSounds doesn’t just bring great music to town. James said that over the years the concerts have drawn more than 450,000 people to downtown St. Clair Park. An economic impact analysis showed that in 2019, bars and restaurants in Greensburg brought in $350,000 in revenue.
“We have much to be proud of,” he said. “Give yourself a pat on the back. »
Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review
SummerSounds board member Debby Gretz with her caricature of cartoonist Randy Bish at the SummerSounds Volunteer and Sponsor Appreciation Party, March 29 at All Saints Brewing Co. in Hempfield.
Crew member Debby Gretz noted, however, that the majority of SummerSounds volunteers are over 60 years old.
“We need to involve young people,” she added.
To this end, a student from Seton Hill University Lindsey Lamagna registered this year as an intern. The commercial music and business major from Murrysville, who is also a musician, hopes to bring some of her peers and classmates on board.
In addition to a buffet dinner, special music-themed cookies and drinks by Joni Koynokthe revelers enjoyed the music of sat and Diane-Paul of The Bricks and caricatures of the cartoonist Randy Bich.
Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review
Cartoonist Randy Bish draws a caricature of Jon and Nina Lewis of Greensburg at the SummerSounds Volunteer and Sponsor Appreciation Party, March 29 at All Saints Brewing Co. in Hempfield.
Seen: Janet James, Shirleah Kelly, Shelly Gaffney, John Kline, Bob Errett, Pat and Joe Erdelsky, Brian McCall and Joanna MoyarCharlie and Jeanne Kaylor, Rudy Kolencik, David Koynok, Paul Nickoloff, Deb and Mike Cavrak, Connie Schutrick, Ann Nemanic, Judy Geary, George Gretz, Rod Booker, Tim and Kelly Artman, Jim Steeley, Jon and Nina Lewis, Jim Silvis, Jack and Terral Schneider, Vance Booher, Alicia Booher, Brian and Amy Beeghley and Mayor of Greensburg Robert Belle.
Shirley McMarlin is editor of Tribune-Review. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
