Summertime by George! is back with a fresh new lineup for its 12th annual season! Enjoy some fan favorites and some supremely talented entertainers NEW to the SBG lineup!
June 14
The Johnny Holm Band
presented by US Bank
6:30pm
Leader and front man of one of the most widely known and traveled band in America, Johnny Holm is the most entertaining entertainer performing today. The show is dedicated to the fans, and audience members do most of the entertaining. Mostly impromptu, the show moves with the speed of lightning and changes direction as soon as “the pied piper” notices a lag. “Never a dull moment” was never a more accurate description.
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Surrounding himself with some of the finest musicians in the Midwest, the band rocks, picks, and thunders along, almost non-stop from the first song to the last laugh.
Millions of people have seen Johnny, and millions of people have been part of his fantourage.
The band plays in most of the United States, but most dates are in the five-state upper Midwest area.
Click here to view more about the performers
Opening Acts Presented by Falcon National Bank
Sawyer’s Dream
opens the stage at 5:00pm
Inspired by the vocal harmonies of bands such as the Mamas & the Papas, ABBA and Fleetwood Mac, Minneapolis based Sawyer’s Dream is an established original 70s vibe band, uniquely cross-blending Americana, Pop, Rock and Soul. Featuring powerhouse female lead vocals and intricate four-part harmonies, their music is engaging, upbeat and earthy, offering the listener a modern take on classic pop-rock
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June 21
Free and Easy
presented by Spire Credit Union
6:30pm
Free and Easy is Minnesota’s premiere stage band that went into the MN Music Hall of fame in 2008. Free and Easy (FnE) cuts their teeth on Santana, Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder and all things funky. You’ll also love their takes on Pharrell Williams, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Pitbull, John Legend and Justin Timberlake. If you want to take a walk on the retro side, you’ll love their Prince Medley and might see a little Michael Jackson break out!
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Free & Easy features David Rodriguez Lead Vocals/Guitar, Jimmy Rodriguez on vocals/drums, Dick Hiebeler on bass/vocals, Ed Meddock Keyboard and a blazing horn section led by Jake Kobberdah (lead trumpet), along with Tim Kraft on reeds and Quentin Volk (trumpet). They have a hip, edgy talented team of amazing young lead vocalists including Brent Rice (formerly “The Voice) and Jeff Skidmore vocalist extraordinaire who bring a hip and edgy sophistication to their music.
With their unique takes on Timberlake, Bruno Mars/Silk Sonic, Pit Bull, Chris Stapleton and many other soulful artists of today. FNE’s appeal extends from the Millennial’s and Gen-Xer’s up to the Baby Boomers and are designed to take you to a high energy, great music listening AND dancing experience! This is one show that will knock you out…The music, the talent, the energy and the groove is too serious!!
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Stone Road
opens the stage at 5:00pm
Stone Road is Central Minnesota’s Top Variety Band covering the best of 80’s, 90’s, Rock & Country music. The band features Glen Tamm on keys and lead vocals, Angie Crandall on fiddle, guitars, keys and vocals, Dean Dirkes on bass guitar and vocals, Kris Crandall on lead guitar and vocals and Al Stumpf on drums. Stone Road engages their crowds with high energy and fun dance music performed by class act musicians since 2015!
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The band features Glen Tamm on keys and lead vocals, Angie Crandall on fiddle, guitars, keys and vocals, Dean Dirkes on bass guitar and vocals, Kris Crandall on lead guitar and vocals and Al Stumpf on drums. Stone Road engages their crowds with high energy and fun dance music performed by class act musicians since 2015!
Click here to view more about the performers
Opening Acts Presented by Falcon National Bank
POWER NIGHT
New this year, Power Nights bring two main acts to the stage!
presented by
June 28
Church of Cash (New to SBG!)
presented by Coborn’s
5:00pm
Jay Ernest formed Church of Cash in sunny Honolulu back in 2010. With an uncanny grasp of the Man in Black’s catalog and many years of experience touring the United States, Europe, and Asia, Jay has returned to his Minnesota home to spread the gospel of one of the world’s most important and enduring songwriters.
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The Church of Cash is true to the music of Johnny Cash, and singer Jay’s deep baritone voice sings like a prairie breeze and stomps like a boot heel. Church of Cash is not a country band. Church of Cash is a tribute band with the express purpose of honoring the indelible legacy of Johnny Cash. Road-tested and always road-ready, The Church of Cash is celebrating the soul of American music.
Whether you are an old timer that grew up listening to Mr. Cash in your tractor or a young soldier driving your tank across the deserts of the Middle East with the Man in Black in your headphones, the Church of Cash will bring his music, with style and energy to fans everywhere.
What the Church of Cash has that no one else can match is their loyalty to the song and the message that Johnny left to all of us. The band merely keeps this word alive with a youthful spirit that has entertained audiences completely.
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The Killer Vees
presented by Xcel Energy
7:30pm
Known in the music business as the “rhythm section to the stars,” Jeff and Tommy Vee have been playing drums and doghouse bass respectively for almost 40 years with a resume far too long to list. They have performed, recorded and/or toured with a virtual who’s who of Rock And Roll Royalty including Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul McCartney, Ronnie Wood, Brian Setzer, Chuck Berry, Bill Medley, Sam Moore, Peter Noone, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, The Shirelles, The Chiffons, Nelson and of course their father Bobby Vee… just to name a few.
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In 2008 Jeff & Tommy joined forces with their cousin Matt Vee and his talented wife Julie Velline to form “The Killer Vees.” Matt, an accomplished performer in his own right also toured nationally and internationally with Bobby Vee and others from the ‘50s & ‘60s era as well as 13 years as guitarist and vocalist for Midwest favorite Johnny Holm. Matt is also a frequent guest performer with “The Fabulous Armadillos.”
Together they have produced hit regional touring shows such as, “I Am He Said – A Celebration Of The Music Of Neil Diamond,” “Remembering Bobby Vee” and, “The Killer Vees – Killer Country – A Celebration of the Golden Age of Country Music.”
The Vees grew up on the road and in the business and have spent the better part of the last 40 years wowing audiences across the world! In addition, they continue to tour nationally as the backing band for the critically acclaimed show “The Original Stars of American Bandstand” featuring Fabian, The Shirelles, Brian Hyland, Chris Montez, The Chiffons and Merrilee Rush.
They are VERY proud to announce that Tommy’s 20 year old son Bennett Vee will be Joining the Killer Vees playing lead guitar. Bennett is the grandson of the late Bobby Vee and the 3rd generation of the Vee family to take the stage! He is currently the touring drummer for international blues phenom Quinn Sullivan and Minnesota turned Nashville country artist Anderson Daniels when he is not playing lead guitar with his family!
The Killer Vee’s band is rounded out by Richard Manik on Sax and Tommy’s brother in law Dennis Kennedy on percussion and harmonica.
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July 12
The Dap Squad
presented by Quinlivan & Hughes P.A.
6:30pm
Founded in 2007, The Dap Squad is a mix of the top local Studio Artists as well as National act side men. The band features Artists that have shared the stage with such artists as Prince, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Shakir, Harry Connick Jr, Cory Wong, The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult, Steppin’ Wolf, Johnny Winter, Steve Smith (Journey), Daryl Sturmers (Phil Collins/Genesis), Al Demeola, Larry Graham, Pearl Jam, Lewis Johnson, Boys to Men, as well as film and movie credits.
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The Dap Squad are artists first looking to make a song original, interesting and pushing the energy to a new place.
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Dennis Warner & the D’s (New to SBG!)
opens the stage at 5:00pm
Dennis Warner’s musical career has brought him to all 50 states and beyond. Along the journey, he’s released 11 CD’s, authored Beads on One String and performed in concert at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
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Opening Acts Presented by Falcon National Bank
CANCELLED due to weather!
July 19
Janelle Kendall’s Perfect Storm (New to SBG!)
presented by SC Times | LOCALiQ
6:30pm
Janelle Kendall’s Perfect Storm delivers a flood of classic rock anthems from the women of rock & roll! High energy & crowd engaging, legendary tracks from Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Melissa Etheridge, Heart, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, Carly Simon & more pour out of this fantastic band. Sprinkling in some R & B (Patti LaBelle) & country too (Gretchen Wilson), you’ll party along with your favorite hits this entire rockin’ show!
Click here to view more about the performers
Opening Acts Presented by Falcon National Bank
Green Light Night
opens the stage at 5:00pm
Forged on the fairways by free drink tickets, Green Light Night is a 5-piece cover band primarily based out of central Minnesota playing a variety of rock, country, and punk music. Formed in 2010 by a trio of Marco employees, the band recruited Rob (vocals) and Brandon (guitar, vocals) to join Jonathan (drums, vocals), Jesse (bass, vocals), and Greg (guitar, vocals) in regular volume therapy.
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Green Light Night soon moved from playing private events to sharing stages with acts such as Hairball, Blackhawk, Sawyer Brown, Chris Hawkey, and Tigerlily performing crowd favorites across the Midwest.
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SINGER-SONGWRITER NIGHT
July 26
John King (New to SBG!)
presented by Schlenner Wenner & Co
6:30pm
Raised in the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, John King listened to a wide range of musicians —southern rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Black Crowes, classic craftsmen like James Taylor and Johnny Cash, and ’90s country stars like Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson — and worked construction jobs as a teenager.
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When he wasn’t pouring rocks at the worksite or studying in the classroom, he was usually at home, writing lyrics into his spiral-bound notebook and strumming his newly-written songs on an acoustic guitar. By 16 years old, he was writing multiple songs every week, often auditioning them for his friends around the campfire.
“A lot of those early songs were horrible,” he remembers with a laugh, “but if I’ve learned anything about writing songs, it’s the fact that the more songs you write, the better you get. I kept at it. I wrote a lot. By the time I came to Nashville, I already had a strong grasp on the structure of a good song, and that served me well once I got in the writing room with other songwriters.”
Always Gonna Be You, the full-length debut from chart-topping country songwriter John King, is an autobiographical album whose songs tell a universal story.
“Everyone has fallen in love,” says King. “Everyone’s had a broken heart. Everyone knows what it feels like to start growing up. I want to create music that speaks to people, so I write songs about the experiences we all share.”
Call it a soundtrack to self-discovery. Call it a coming-of-age story, performed by a southern son whose country twang is matched by his pop hooks. Whatever the description, Always Gonna Be You is proof there’s a new King in town.
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Going To The Sun
opens the stage at 5:00pm
Minneapolis-based Going To The Sun’s mix of earthy-acoustic-playful-electric-pop-rock rings with the earnest storytelling of Willie Nelson, the lush harmonies of “Pet Sounds”-era Beach Boys, and the spirited instrumentation of Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire, the result of small mountain-town Montana upbringing and two decades of being immersed in the rich music culture of Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Their music is both powerful and intimate, free-fall diving into the hard-won depths of loss and grief, and emerging with a celebratory sense of hope and purpose.
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After their debut album was hailed by The Current (89.3) as a top local release, the band has followed up with “Love Letters From The Western Gate”, a memorable album that explores deep love, heartache, and resilience. 2022 sees Going To The Sun emerging from society’s collective hibernation, celebrating a new season with renewed energy and appreciation for social gatherings, music, and community.
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Opening Acts Presented by Falcon National Bank
August 9
The Fabulous Armadillos
presented by Eich Motor Co
6:30pm
The Fabulous Armadillos came out of their shell in 2006 and have since established a large and loyal following in Minnesota with their spot on recreations of songs from many genres of music from Country to Motown to Heavy Metal to 70’s Soft Rock and do them just like you remember. Close your eyes and you are listening to all those vinyl records again or your AM/FM radio.
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The idea of the Fabulous Armadillos started with a diverse group of musicians who came together to perform “themed” concerts at the Pioneer Place On Fifth Theater in St. Cloud, MN. Themes like “One Hit Wonders”, “Woodstock”, “Motown”, “Singer/Songwriters”, “Stadium Rock” and more.
They have now played 100’s of themes at that theater as well as many regional venues in the Midwest and even in Mexico! Each show gaining them new fans and enjoying their brand of fun and entertaining, yet musically spot on performances. They have brought hundreds of special guests in for their theme shows comprising of local and national talent. COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL and see what everybody has been talking about!
Click here to view more about the performers
Opening Acts Presented by Falcon National Bank
The Half Steps (New to SBG!)
opens the stage at 5:00pm
For more than 26 years, the Half Steps have been entertaining audiences throughout Minnesota with their unique brand of a cappella music. Gary Zwack, Steve Wilson, Richard Witteman and Paul Fedor bring humor and tight harmonies to an eclectic catalogue of tunes – from Elvis to the Pointer Sisters.
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Over the years, the Half Steps have gained a loyal following from performances at Joetown Rocks, Pioneer Place on Fifth, the Paramount Theatre, Millstream Arts Festival, with Collective Unconscious & friends for Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds”, and more.
Click here to view more about the performers
POWER NIGHT
New this year, Power Nights bring two main acts to the stage!
August 16
Collective Unconscious presents: Wings Over America – A Tribute to Paul McCartney and Wings
presented by Gilleland Chevrolet
5:00pm
Formed in the spring of the year 2000 to support lead singer/bass player Jeff Engholm’s first solo CD (Summit Climb), CU performed around central Minnesota as a jam band. A couple of years of Wednesday nights at the Red Carpet Nightclub in St. Cloud, MN firmly established the band’s repertoire, and musicianship, and kept audiences dancing.
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During that time they recorded and released a couple of albums of their original material: Collective Unconscious and The Garden.
A few years later they began performing the Beatles Abbey Road album in its entirety, from Come Together all the way through Her Majesty (years before tribute bands were a thing).
Based on the 1976 live album by Paul McCartney and Wings, Wings Over America – A Tribute to Paul McCartney and Wings features some of the group’s greatest hits, along with songs by The Beatles, as well as other hits. This high-energy show will have you smiling, tapping your feet, and singing along!
The hits include: Venus and Mars, Rock Show, Jet, Medicine Jar, Maybe I’m Amazed, Lady Madonna, Mull Of Kintyre, Picasso’s Last Words (Drink To Me), Bluebird, I’ve Just Seen A Face, Yesterday, Another Day, Take It Away, Live And Let Die, Comin’ Up, You Gave Me The Answer, Listen To What The Man Said, Go Now, My Love, Let ‘Em In, Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five, The Long And Winding Road, Silly Love Songs, Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey, Band On The Run, C Moon, Junior’s Farm, Helen Wheels, Hi Hi Hi, and Hey Jude.
The 9-piece ensemble consists of:
- Jeff Engholm – vocals, bass
- Muggsy Lauer – vocals, electic & acoustic guitar, bass
- Mark Hasbrouck – vocals, electric & acoustic guitar, mandolin
- Amy Grinsteiner – vocal, keyboards
- Scott Chabot – drums and percussion
- Erin Vork – vocals, keyboards, French horn
- Ken Vork – trombone
- Dwight Nelson – trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn
- Mike Anderson – saxes and flute
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Mason Dixon Line
presented by RBC Wealth Management
7:30pm
Mason Dixon Line (MDL) is the Mid-West’s premier Country outfit. Formed in 2018, brothers Justin & Jason Ploof along with seasoned musicians Micah Barrett and Tony Mazzone came together to celebrate the rich history of country music and its inhabitants. The band focuses on a live show that brings their audiences the biggest hits of three decades by country music Hall of Famers and icons.
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The group has been the supporting act for some of Country music’s biggest names, including Blake Shelton, Tanya Tucker, John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Byrd, Neil McCoy, Sawyer Brown, Craig Morgan and many more!
MDL continues to build an amazing set list of foot stomping classics you’re guaranteed to sing along with and dance to. And that list continues to grow and grow!
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presented by
FULL LINEUP
JUNE 14
The Johnny Holm Band
presented by US Bank
Sawyer’s Dream
JUNE 21
Free and Easy
presented by Spire Credit Union
Stone Road
JUNE 28
Church of Cash
presented by Coborn’s
The Killer Vees
presented by Xcel Energy
JULY 12
The Dap Squad
presented by Quinlivan & Hughes P.A.
Dennis Warner & the D’s
JULY 19
Janelle Kendall and The Perfect Storm
presented by SC Times | LOCALiQ
Green Light Night
JULY 26
John King
presented by Schlenner Wenner & Co
Going To The Sun
AUGUST 9
The Fabulous Armadillos
presented by Eich Motor Co
The Half Steps
AUGUST 16
Collective Unconscious presents: Wings Over American – A Tribute to Paul McCartney and Wings
presented by Gilleland Chevrolet
Mason Dixon Line
presented by RBC Wealth Management