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Hot Summer Nights lineup; announced
Hot Summer Nights is set to begin as McCook National Bank and MNB Insurance continue sponsorship of MNB Hot Summer Nights concert series again this year.
Now in its seventh season, the series features four free concerts highlighting a variety of musical genres. This year's schedule features the following artists:
June 16: Blackwater Haze -- Inaugural concert in Stratton
McCook band Blackwater Haze makes a return to Hot Summer Nights. Black Water Haze is a classic country and rock band that has been in existence since 1980 with 3 of the 4 members (Terry Petersen -- lead guitar & vocals, Darrell Quick -- drums & vocals, Russ Ankersen -- bass guitar & vocals) having played together for more than 23 years now. Mike Schoup -- rhythm/lead guitar (and yes, an occasional vocal harmony!) is the "new" guy with only 9 years in the group.
Although the band originated in Hastings, all but Darrell have since moved their home bases to other Nebraska towns like Westerville (Terry) and McCook (Russ & Mike). They've played for dances and shows throughout Nebraska and into Kansas, Colorado and Iowa. Even though they no longer keep a strenuous road schedule, the guys still genuinely enjoy getting together and performing their music and attest their longevity in the business to being good friends.
August 4:
Blackberry Winter
If you don't know Blackberry Winter, you'll know the music they play. Chicago. Blood, Sweat & Tears. Grass Roots. The Buckinghams. Horn-powered rock and roll with soaring vocal harmonies and a hard-driving rhythm section.
The music, the memories and the spirit of Blackberry Winter are back. With a new line-up of killer musicians, a five-piece horn section supported by a tight, talented rhythm section. Ten musicians including seven lead vocalists and every song they play is a classic.
The current Blackberry Winter line-up includes former band members of some of the most popular bands of the 1970s including Timberline, the Fabulous Suns, the Elastic Band, Straight, the Roarin' Red Dogs, High Voltage, the Sunday Funny Company and, yes, even an original Blackberry Winter member.
In a day of prerecorded artificial music, Blackberry Winter defies convention. Everything the band plays is 100 percent live. No computer rhythm tracks. No electronic enhancement. It's real music played by real musicians.
Aug. 25:
Hannah McNeil and the Rebel Heart Band
Hannah McNeil and The Rebel Heart Band will astound you with their high energy, crowd-pleasing, interactive performance.
Although they play at venues all across the nation, and have opened for and played next to national acts such as Trick Pony, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Alabama and the Oak Ridge Boys…(to name a few), they love being in their home state of Nebraska!
With their passion for music and performing, Hannah and the band are on the fast track towards making a big name for themselves in the music industry, but you can catch them while they are still considered a regional act! They are completing an original CD project in Nashville as we speak that will blow your socks off. Guarantee this is a show you will not want to miss…and take home with ya. Look for their t-shirts and CDs booth at the concert. Come out and see them for yourselves. They feature new and classic country, pop, classic and modern rock, patriotic and gospel… and they're known to bring kids up on stage and make stars outta them!
You can check them out for yourself at http://www.hannahmcneil.com. . Don't miss your chance to be able to say, "I saw them when…"
September 1:
Steve Seskin and Arthur Lee Land
Steve Seskin is a successful songwriter who has written seven number one songs, including Grammy-nominated "Grown Men Don't Cry," recorded by Tim McGraw, and "Don't Laugh at Me," winner of NSAI Song of the Year and Music Row Magazine Song of the Year in 1999 as recorded by Mark Wills. His other No. 1 hits are "No Doubt About It" and "For a Change," both recorded by Neal McCoy, "No Man's Land" and "If You've Got Love," both recorded by John Michael Montgomery, and "Daddy's Money," recorded by Ricochet. Other chart toppers include "I Think About You," recorded by Colin Raye, and "All I Need To Know," recorded by Kenny Chesney. The video for Raye's "I Think About You" single was named the Academy of Country Music's Video of the Year in 1997, and the song and video were also given an award by the Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence. Recent recordings of his songs include "Pictures," by John Michael Montgomery, "We Shook Hands," by Tebey, and "I'll Always Be There For You," by Brian McComas.
While Steve is best known for writing hits, he is also a successful performer and recording artist. He is currently touring in support of his latest CD, An Original. This is his 16th recording, released on his own record label.
"Don't Laugh at Me" was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary and became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don't Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance in schools. This program has already been implemented in more than 20,000 schools across the country. Steve now enjoys performing at school assemblies in support of this program. The song is now available as a children's book, Don't Laugh At Me, which was featured on PBS's Reading Rainbow in September 2002.
Arthur Lee Land's lifelong musical journey has arrived at a point of rare accomplishment in the world of popular music -- genuine innovation. Arthur Lee Land combines diverse influences to create a fresh new musical vibe: Afrograss Folk Rock. During a tour of Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa in 2001, Arthur spawned the concept of Afrograss: a synthesis of West African percussion and bluegrass in a folk rock context. Originally touring as a multi-instrument solo act, Arthur used "loop" (live recording) technology, to refine his musical vision by creating a One-Man Afrograss Folk Rock Ensemble.
Inspired by the thriving Colorado music scene, Arthur uprooted from Chicago and moved to Boulder in January of 2004. Arthur Lee Land 's local legend is growing fast. His first performances at 2002 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival & Song School in Lyons Colorado, coupled with a flat-out inspiring self-produced Afrograss demo tape caught the attention of Grammy Award Nominated songwriter and producer Wendy Waldman (Save The Best For Last, Fishin' In The Dark, New Grass Revival). An enthusiastic Waldman offered to produce the upcoming recording project and enlisted an impressive roster of high-caliber musicians to help realize Arthur's musical vision.
The start time for all concerts is at 7 p.m. at Pitner Park in Stratton and the Norris Park bandshell in McCook. Pam Hanson, Sales & Marketing Manager for MNB, stated that this year's line up continues MNB's tradition of offering great live music in a free, family setting. "This event has grown in popularity, and we are sure that this year will continue that trend."