By Future Brown, Herald Democrat
While summer does not officially start until June 20, the start of June means the start of area summer concert series. For those looking to listen to some tunes in a park, there are several options.
Sherman and Denison will begin their free concert series this week marking the 31st and 24th years of the respective series.
This year’s Hot Summer Nights concert series will begin Thursday and will feature a musical act at 7 p.m. in Kidd-Key Memorial Park outside the Sherman Municipal Building. The exception will be on July 3 when the city holds its annual Lights on the Lake concert at Pecan Grove Park — West.
The first concert will feature alternative rock band Everclear performing Friday. The second concert will come on June 12 when Pal Tillis performs in Sherman. All-4-One will take to the stage on June 19. The Eli Young Band will headline the concert on June 26.
“I predict that June 26 will be our biggest show, crowd-wise, of the season,” Sherman Main Street Director Sarah McRae said. “They are a huge name in country music and our country shows do typically bring in the biggest crowds.”
July 3 will see Stone Temple Pilots play in Pecan Grove Park as a part of the city’s annual Lights on the Lake concert and fireworks show. Last year, Lights on the Lake is believed to have brought around 14,000 people to Pecan Grove West Park, the site of the annual event.
This year’s sole cover band, the Windbreakers, will perform on July 10. Lisa Loeb will be performing on July 17, and Steven Adler of Guns N’Roses will be playing on July 24.
The final show on July 31 will feature Liberación.
“In a typical season, about 70 percent of the people coming out to the shows are not from Sherman, so it’s doing what we want it to do as far as bringing visitors into our city,” McRae said. “But it’s really an exciting time with all the growth we are experiencing here lately and having so many new Sherman residents join in on these long-running traditions that are so special to us.”
The concert series is primarily funded using the city’s hotel occupancy tax revenues. These taxes are collected based on hotel rentals and are used to promote tourism and other programs that attract people to spend the night in Sherman.
“Having amenities like these and our beautiful city parks, and unique downtown shops and restaurants are what bring people into our city and help bond the people who live here and create a real sense of community,” McRae said.
This Friday, Music on Main will begin with The Kentucky Headhunters and Mary Clare taking the stage at Forest Park in Denison at 7 p.m.
“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.”
June 13 will feature The Damn Quails and Maddox Ross. The June 20 show will be performed by The Wilder Blue and Collin Nash.
Austin-based Silverada, will close out the month with Henry Merchant on June 27. July 4 show will be performed by Greg Guyman at the city’s annual celebration at Munson Stadium.
Then on July 11th, three-time Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster will perform with Cela Harper at on the Forest Park stage.
On July 18, Marc Broussard and Steeli Bryce performs, and finally, The Great Divide and Ian Tonroy will closeout the series on July 25.
Pets can attend this event and coolers are welcome.
Van Alstyne will kick off its Sounds of Summer concert series on June 12 with Kin Faux at Central Social District.
William Clark Green will be performing at the Fourth of July show on July 5. On Aug. 9, Quiet Riot will be the headliner, and the final concert of the series will feature Mark Chesnutt on Sept. 6.
“We want to choose acts that are really interactive, Van Alstyne Municipal Events Coordinator Kandi Hessel said in 2024 about the concert series. “A lot of surrounding cities have these concerts, but we want to stand out. The experience we provide to the community is very important to us. Entertainers have a very important job and some who have been doing it for 50 years get out there and enjoy it like it’s their first day. Those are the types of entertainers we like to bring to Van Alstyne to provide that extra experience for the participants that like to go.”
Central Social District is a glass free zone.
Individuals are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers to the concert, but no glass is allowed in the park. As there are many concrete surfaces where glass could break, no glass is allowed in the park.
“Van Alstyne has a small town feel though we are growing quite a bit,” Hessel said. “The best part about it is that long-time residents being in awe about the experience, and the fact that it is free. They get to go down to their hometown park, bring their chairs, bring their pets and enjoy a named entertainment act in their hometown. The compliments that come along with that are part of my favorite. This is a total experience at home.”
Over in Gainesville, the Summer Sounds Concert Series began Friday with King Cabbage Brass Band and the Spazmatics.
The show will continue in June with Americana as the theme.
“On Friday, June 27th, get ready for an Americana Soul experience as the talented singer-songwriter Jame Cook takes the stage, warming up the crowd for fan favorite Josh Weathers, who will headline the night with his captivating voice and infectious energy,” the release said.
Blackout Betty and Elevation Band will be performing on July 25 at the Farmer’s Market at 201 N. Chesnut Street in Gainesville.
“Please remember that while coolers are not permitted on-site, refreshments will be available for purchase (cash only) at the pavilion,” the release said. “Concerts will start at 7 p.m. and wrap up by 10:30 p.m. May 30, June 27, and July 25. For the latest updates, be sure to follow the Gainesville Summer Sounds Facebook page at facebook.com/GvilleSummerSounds. Get ready to enjoy incredible music and create lasting memories at this exciting summer series!”
—
