By Michael Hutchins / Herald Democrat
The sound of music will return to downtown once again this summer when Music on Main kicks off its 24th year. City officials kicked off the leadup to the annual free concert season on Monday when they announced the lineup for this years events.
Since 2002, the city has hosted an annual concert series in downtown featuring a mixture of both established and up-and-coming musical artists. The concerts will run in Forest Park each Friday night in June and July.
“I am always excited about Music on Main because this is my favorite time of the year,” Main Street Director Donna Dow said. “The lineup for this year is just stronger across the board, and we are really looking forward to the summer.”
“I feel like it is one of our stronger lineups and it is more even across the board as far as draw and popularity,” she continued.
The concert series will kick off on June 6 when The Kentucky Headhunters and Mary Clare hit the stage. The band formed in the mid 80s and blended together country rock with southern rock. The group is known for the song Dumas Walker, among others.
“They were popular in the 90s. It’s a country band with catchy songs,” Dow said.
June 13 will see The Damn Quails and Maddox Ross kick off the second week of Music on Main.
“We have talked about getting them for years, but it has just never worked out until now,” Dow said regarding the Oklahoma-based band.
The Wilder Blue and Collin Nash will be the acts for the third week of this year’s series on June 20. This will be the third time singer Zane Wilder has performed with Music on Main. While the series traditionally does not do many return acts, Williams has been featured in different bands each time.
Austin-based Silverada, will close out the month with Henry Merchant on June 27.
The following week will see the city’s annual Local Legends concert with Greg Guymon for the city’s Fourth of July celebrations. During the event, the city will unveil the name of its latest local legend.
“It is kind of like a hall of fame we have had for the last four years,” Dow said. “We have announced the new one each year.
July 11th will see three-time Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster bring her blend of folk and blues to downtown Denison along with Cela Harper.
“We have been trying to get her for many years and just were able to line up her schedule this year,” Dow said.
The following week will see Marc Broussard and Steeli Bryce perform on July 18. The Great Divide will closeout the event on July 25 when it plays the final concert of the series with Ian Tonroy.
Dow said the series has historically been a major attraction for downtown Denison and has brought attention and shoppers to the central business district.
“We really have focused on the restaurants for the past two or three years because they come for an evening out, and they can dine in our restaurants before they go to the concert,” Dow said.
