(Photo above: Out of the Blue R & B dance cover band courtesy of outofthebluebend.com)
Pack the lawn chairs, grab a blanket and join the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB for free live music as it hosts its 20th year of Music on the Green, presented by Bank of the Cascades and Eberhard’s Dairy. One of Central Oregon’s longest-running free community concert series, Music on the Green will kick off its 2015 season at Sam Johnson Park on Wednesday, June 24 with music by Out of the Blue, a local 5 piece R & B dance cover band, entertaining us with cool sounds of Motown, rock and soulful blues.
It’s a style of music groove that makes you want to get up and shake it on any dance floor or grassy area. Performances are scheduled from 6 to 7:30pm each evening.
Music on the Green will then continue every other Wednesday throughout the summer with five additional performances. The series will feature a diverse mix of music from country, rock, bluegrass and Motown, to fusion sounds that mix elements of pop, funk, jazz and blues.
“Each year, we strive to book a range of local musical acts that, as the season unfolds, offer families and music lovers a good mix of genres,” said Redmond Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator Karen Sande. “We succeeded in doing that again this year. I’m thrilled to offer our community a lineup of top-notch music from established local bands as well as from performers who are on the upswing of their musical careers.”
Other musical performers at this year’s Music on the Green include, Carrie Cunningham & the Six Shooters (July 8), Off the Record (July 22), Derek Michael Marc & “Double AA” (Aug. 5), and TKO (Aug. 19). Per annual tradition, a performance by Redmond’s own Hokulea Dancers, a troop featuring traditional Hawaiian Island dance and drumming, will round out the 2015 season on Wednesday, September 2.
“The Hokulea Dancers have quite a following in Central Oregon, and their performances never disappoint,” Sande said. “Their show is musical, it’s colorful and it’s interactive. We find it’s the perfect way to end the summer season — Hawaiian style.”
Along with free musical entertainment, Music on the Green will feature a variety of food, art and craft vendors in booths throughout Sam Johnson Park. Kids will also love the bounce houses on site as well as games and activities provided by the Redmond Area Park and Recreation District (RAPRD).
Music on the Green is made possible thanks to a number of community sponsors, starting with presenting sponsors Bank of the Cascades and Eberhard’s Dairy Products. Other sponsors include Fred Meyer, Pacific Power, Redmond Municipal Airport, Horizon Broadcasting Group, BendBroadband, The Bulletin, and The Redmond Spokesman.
Music on the Green – 2015 Schedule
Out of the Blue
Wed., June 24 – 6 p.m.
Out of the Blue is a five-piece R & B dance cover band with some original material and a whole lot of party going on. Based out of Bend, they create a vibe that audiences of all ages can move to. With the cool sounds of Motown, rock, and soulful blues, it’s a style of music groove that makes people want to get up and shake it on the dance floor. Influences like Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Sam & Dave and then throw in some Rolling Stones and Bonnie Raitt.
Carrie Cunningham and the Six Shooters
Wed., July 8 – 6 p.m.
With years of performing experience, Carrie religiously draws the audience into a wondrous musical experience that has them walking away certain that they have just witnessed a rising entertainer on her way to stardom. Carrie has joined entertainment forces with Collective Soul, Jake Owen, The Bellamy Brothers, Rich McCready, Sugarland, Diamond Rio, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, and Reba.
Off The Record
Wed., July 22 – 6 p.m.
Off the Record is made up of members from Bend, Culver, Prineville and Sunriver. The four “mature” players have played for different bands for over 40 years, met in late 2014 and formed Off the Record, the consummate classic rock cover band. All members contribute vocally, and the group offers its listeners favorites from Santana, The Doobie Brothers, Roy Orbison, Queen, The Eagles, Three Dog Night and more.
Derek Michael Marc & “Double AA”
Wed., Aug. 6 – 6 p.m.
Imagine sweet dynamic sounds of electric goodness! Imagine powerfully rich and smooth harmonic vocals. Imagine silky guitar, creamy bass, and groove driving drums. When the essence of these ingredients are combined, you get a current local, 3 piece power trio high-energy, Blues/Rock/Soul styled band; performing a mixture of ear-pleasing Original songs, accompanied by classic Covers from Artists like Clapton, SRV, Joe Cocker, B.B. King.
TKO
Wed., Aug. 19 – 6 p.m.
Playing together for over 25 years in Oregon, TKO’s musicians – Dennis Morris, Phil Pierce, Jerry Bannon, Jeff Morris and Steven Hartwell, have entertained audiences at concerts, nightclubs and fairs with a true variety of music from Country, Rock, R&B to Funk. Through their careers, they have played on the same stage with such acts as the Righteous Brothers, Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard, and Sawyer Brown.
Hokulea Dancers
Wed., Sept. 2 – 6 p.m.
Redmond’s very own traditional Hawaiian Dancers are back and are always a crowd favorite! A troop that will showcase traditional Hawaiian island dance and drumming.