Summer Lightnin’ Concert Series Returns Friday, June 7
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – What is quickly becoming one of the more popular Piney Woods Fine Arts Association (PWFAA) events – the Summer Lightnin’ June Tunes at the Tracks Concert Series – returns on Friday, June 7.
Held at the J.B. and Kathryn Sallas Amphitheater, the venue will feature free concerts every Friday in June.
According to information received from the PWFAA, “A wide variety of entertainment will appeal to music lovers of all genres including; Caribbean rock ‘n’ roll; zydeco; soul; and classic rock.”
The musical acts are scheduled to hit the amphitheater stage – located at 303 South 1st Street on Fridays at 8 pm. A concession stand will be available and will begin serving at 7 pm.
“Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and cooler, and enjoy these wonderful FREE concerts. Everyone loves outdoor music under the stars in the summertime, it’s a great way to wind down the work week and relax with family and friends. An added bonus is the free summer concerts are a great way to introduce kids to new genres of music,” PWFAA Executive Director Ann Walker stated in a press release.
The concert series opens on June 7 with the Lost Shaker of Salt Band, a Jimmy Buffett tribute show. If soft rock with a Caribbean flavor is your style, then this is the band for you.
“The Lost Shaker of Salt band plays all of your Jimmy Buffett favorites as well as some of the most recognized tropical music from around the world. So grab your margarita, your sunscreen, and your flip-flops and get ready to party – island style – with the Lost Shaker of Salt Band,” the PWFAA Press release stated.
On June 14, Pat Mason and Bayou Boogie keeps the party going with a little bit of Zydeco!
“Bayou Boogie is a professional touring band that performs authentic Zydeco and Cajun music in its vast repertoire, which also includes Blues, Swamp Rock, Soul, R&B, and other popular forms of music,” the PWFAA states.
The band is billed as the only one of its kind “… in all of North Louisiana and – as such – is one of the most popular and sought after bands in the Ark-La-Tex region.”
As an added bonus, Craw-Dadeez Boil-n-Go will be onsite serving fresh crawfish and shrimp (for purchase) starting at 7 pm.
There’s nothing quite like that Motown Sound and on June 21, Sandra Lee and The Brown Sugar Band return to Crockett for an encore performance. From Al Green to Kool and the Gang to Wilson Pickett – and seemingly everything in between – the band will delight those in attendance.
Closing out the Summer Lightnin’ Series will be Bad Moon Rising – a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute show. And who doesn’t love CCR?
From “The Midnight Special” to “Fortunate Son” to “Born on the Bayou,” the music of CCR will transport the listener to a time and musical genre that is slowly slipping away.
According to the PWFAA, the band got its start in 2008, after lead guitar player, Steve Combs, attended a live concert featuring legendary CCR front man, John Fogerty.
The guitarist decided to share his love of CCR’s “… music, creativity, and idealism. He then formed a band with individuals who also shared the passion to keep the music alive. Bad Moon Rising takes pride in what they do and want people to be able to close their eyes and feel like they are living the music again.”
The Summer Lightnin’ Concert Series is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts and is sponsored by The Edmiston Foundation.
The concert series is presented by the PWFAA in association with The Messenger Newspaper, Texas Farm and Home Magazine, the Houston County Courier and several radio and television stations. For more information please visit the PWFAA website at www.pwfaa.org or call 936-544-4276.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
