Nancy Hastings nhastings@hillsdale.net nhastingsHDN

HILLSDALE The Tuesday Night Summer Concert season starts Tuesday, offering another season of free summer concerts.

Since 2004, Mrs. Stocks Park has been the setting for these 7:30 p.m. concerts. The concert season will go from June 27-Aug. 8.

Organizer Cory Champion said he believes this will be the 15th season of concerts in the park.

We are looking forward to our 2017 Tuesday's in The Park series at Mrs. Stocks Park in downtown Hillsdale as the line up for entertainment is high quality, exciting and diversified, Champion said.

First up is Band of Tara, which covers many genres of music. Some of the talent in this group are multi-talented, giving the band a sound of a six to eight-piece group, Champion said.

Tara's vocals are strong and her voice will grab your attention, he said. Some people say they have goose bumps after hearing her strong, wonderful voice.

The Band consists of Bob Pogue on guitar and vocals, David Kincade on keyboards and vocals, Otis Marti on bass and vocals as well as Kent Bowen on percussion. Band of Tara is a return group who made their first visit last summer.

They are looking forward to another great night being able to entertain right here at home in Hillsdale County, Champion said.

The next scheduled night is July 4 and in the past, a concert has not been scheduled on this date.

This year, Champion felt compelled to have a program featuring local talent in a family-friendly event by encouraging Americana, Patriotic and a bit of formal music.

Since July 4th seldom falls on a Tuesday, after speaking with some local talent, we just decided to try it out, test the waters and see what happens, Champion said.

Refiners Fire Brass Quintet will be performing a variety of classical music, including some Americana selections, as well as a tribute to our armed services. After the brass quintet finishes, which is half of the program, a group of local musicians will finish up with some Americana music from the country music genre. The yet-to-be-named group consists of Bob Pogue, guitar and vocals, Tim Nichols, keyboards and vocals, Cory Champion, bass, acoustic guitar and vocals, Nathan Wiley, acoustic guitar and Scott Donihue on drums.

Weve really had a good time fellowshipping and practicing together for this gig, Champion said. While Champion, Nichols and Donihue have been playing and performing together for over 15 years, this is the first time any of them have worked with Pogue, and it's Wileys first public appearance on guitar.

Continuing with the regular Tuesdays in The Park series brings Dennis Guizdala from Bay City July 11. Guizdala is a high energy, gospel jazz saxophonist and vocalist. He said he is living his dream of a Christian recording artist, touring across the country.

Music has been and always will be a big influence in my life, Guizdala said. I am living a very blessed life in that I get to play music for a living. God is Good!

July 18 brings the Town and Country Chorus, ready to entertain with their variety of classic barbershop harmony with a great mix of humor, Champion said.

Ive been working with them in the park for over 10 years, and they have yet to disappoint! he added.

July 25 introduces the Day Break Trio from Coldwater.

Husband and wife team, Dan and Barbara Hefner along with long time friend Rob Cooper, will bring a great blend of oldies and folk in three part harmony, Champion said. This will be a relaxing, entertaining and delightful evening.

August 1 brings another new act to Hillsdale. Colin Dexter is an Elvis tribute artist from Jackson, who just graduated from high school and has traveled throughout Michigan and Canada.

August 8 will wrap up the 2017 concert season with Dave Trippett and The Marcella Singers.

We thank the community so much for the support they have shown over the past number of years, Champion said. We look forward to a great season.

See the rest here:

Concert series diversified - The Hillsdale Daily News