Greensburg's SummerSounds concert season opens with 2 tribute acts

Mar. 30—Organizers of Greensburg's SummerSounds concert series don't like to book the same act two years in a row.

They're making an exception this year, though, to bring back the top draw from 2022.

Elton Rohn, the Canadian Elton John tribute artist who packed St. Clair Park on July 7,

is scheduled to return June 9.

The series opens June 2 with The Seven Wonders — a Fleetwood Mac tribute group hailing from western New York — and hopes to build on a successful 2022 season that saw total attendance for 14 dates of about 35,000, James said.

A survey and economic impact study "showed that in 2022, SummerSounds brought $385,000 of business to Greensburg-area bars and restaurants alone, and a total economic impact of over

$1 million last year," he noted.

Booking two tribute acts in a row is a departure for the free music series, now in its 23rd year, said co-founder Gene James.

James said he likes to book "take-a-chance bands," offering an eclectic mix of musical genres throughout the

summer — but the reality is that tribute acts are a big draw.

"We discovered something that is reflected in this year's schedule," he said. "Greensburg loves tribute bands, so we're going to reflect that a little heavier this summer."

That doesn't mean SummerSounds fans won't get the full range of jazz, blues, roots and rock they've come to expect, he added.

Organizer Dick McCormick revealed the upcoming concert slate to attendees at the annual SummerSounds Sponsor and Volunteer Appreciation Evening, held Tuesday at All Saints Brewing Co. in Hempfield:

—June 2, The Seven Wonders — Founded in 2017 in East Rochester, N. Y., recreate the harmony-driven hits of Fleetwood Mac.

—June 9, Elton Rohn — Hailing from Toronto, the former CBS record salesman embodies the vintage look of Captain Fantastic-era Elton John and rivals the original with his piano-playing talent.

—June 16, Laurie Morvan Band — From Long Beach, Calif., the guitarist/vocalist front woman leads a five-piece, high-energy blues band.

—June 23, Victoria Victoria, featuring jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter — The North Carolina-based indie pop band led by singer-songwriter Tori Elliott explores themes of self-worth, spirituality and celebration.

—June 30, Ariel Posen — The guitarist's rootsy sound reflects influences like heartland rock 'n roll, electrified Americana, blue-eyed soul, R&B and Beatles-inspired pop.

—July 7, Toubab Krewe — Calling Asheville, N.C., home, the band says it draws inspiration from African music to create "a sonic Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more."

—July 14, Lao Tizer Band — Keyboardist and bandleader Lao Tizer's outfit plays a genre-bending mix of jazz, classical, new age and jam-oriented music, including vocals by "American Idol" veteran Elliott Yamin.

—July 21, Sweet Lizzy Project — The Cuban-born, Nashville-based anthemic-rock quintet has opened for their idols, Heart and Joan Jett.

—July 28, The Suitcase Junket — Matt Lorenz is a one-man band, playing instruments made from scratch and singing original "doom folk" songs with "a heavy mix of hope and desperation." Off the road, he homesteads with rescue dogs and chickens in rural western Massachusetts.

—Aug. 4, Bill Toms and Hard Rain — Pittsburgh native Toms is former lead guitarist with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers. Toms and band play soul-tinged Americana rock.

—Aug. 11, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams — Founded in 1998 in New York's Hudson Valley, the band plays a form of folk rock-Americana that has been described as "Hillbilly Pink Floyd" or "Punk Classical Hillbilly Floyd."

—Aug. 18, Start Making Sense — The tribute act recreates the sound and look of classic new wave, pop-punk rock band Talking Heads, with lead singer Jon Braun doing a spot-on impression of Heads frontman David Byrne.

—Aug. 25 — To be announced.

Local acts provide pre-show music for each date beginning at 6:30 p.m., with the main act taking the stage at 7 p.m. in the downtown Greensburg park.

McCormick noted that volunteers are still needed, especially for setting up the bands and sound system.

"We need roadies, and you don't have to sleep in an old hotel or a beat-up van," he said. "You can go home and sleep in your old bed."

In its first year in 2000, SummerSounds drew a total about 3,000 attendees. Individual acts now can draw two or three times that number, James said.

For information, visit summersounds.com.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .