Bandshell Concerts

20th Annual Ashley for the Arts Bandshell Concert Series

These free annual concerts began July 16 and extended through August 6, 2010.

Concerts are held from 7-9 p.m. on Friday evenings at the Volunteer Fireman’s Memorial Bandshell in City Park, 1261 Hill Rd., Reading.

We're proud to announces 2010's title sponsor was Ashley for the Arts, an initiative of Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. Their initiative "Ashley's Little Angels" was represented at all four concerts. For more information about "Ashley''s Little Angels" click here.

Ashley for the Arts was established by Ashley Furniture Industries to provide area communities with the thrill of live performances and the richness of the arts. More specifically, its purpose is to showcase local area artists, support school music and art programs, and entertain the entire family.

Friday | July 16 | John Primer

On July 16, John Primer takes the newly-renovated Bandshell stage. A Grammy-award and Handy-award nominee, John Primer is truly “The Real Deal.” Few artists can match his strong, traditionalist blues phrasing and lightning fast slide technique. A master storyteller and songwriter, his catalog of songs is endless and his sound is unforgettable.

To view photos from the concert, click here.

To read the concert review, click here.

Friday | July 23 | Honey Island Swamp Band

On July 23, great music begins with great songs, and great songs are what the Honey Island Swamp Band is all about. New Orleanians Aaron Wilkinson (mandolin and guitar), Chris Mulé (guitar), Sam Price (bass), and Garland Paul (drums), combine to cover the entire landscape of southern roots music that has made the band’s live shows favorites among music lovers of all genres.

To view photos from the concert, click here.

To read the concert review, click here.

Friday | July 30 | Missy Raines & The New Hip

On July 30, bluegrass-jazz fusion takes center stage with Missy Raines & The New Hip. Dobro player Michael Witcher, mandolin and guitarist Ethan Ballinger, drummer/percussionists Doug Belote and Tommy Giampietro, and flatpicking guitar champion Dillon Hodges combine with bluegrass pioneer Raines to create a fusion of bluegrass virtuosity, jazz-tinged groove and a song-driven sensibility.

To view photos from the concert, click here.

To read the concert review, click here.

Friday | August 6 | Kenny Vance and The Planotones

On August 6, back by popular demand is doo-wop group Kenny Vance and The Planotones. Kenny Vance, Johnny Gale, Kurt "Frenchy" Yahjian, Jimmy Bense, keyboardist Chip Degaard, and drummer Tony Gallino redefine oldies with vocal authority and freshness. Their material is influenced by the music of the 50's and 60's, but they consistently bring a unique and musically sophisticated point of view.