This year’s concert line up at Cheney’s Sutton Park brings something old together with something new — and a little musical something for just about everybody.
Several of the seven acts are veterans of at least performing at West Plains events, if not in the gazebo along Washington Street. Others are making their first appearances.
The annual series, which takes place each Wednesday from now through Aug. 21, began July 10 with the “voodoo” Spokane rock band Mojo Box. They’re followed by Americana and bluegrass group, Cosmo’s Dream.
Cosmo’s Dream comes to Cheney from Tacoma, and is comprised of the husband and wife duo of Steve and Kristi Nebel, along with singer-songwriter Gen Obata. According to the band’s news release, the trio met in 2012 at a local folk music event, became friends and started jamming in 2014, launching Cosmo’s Dream in 2015.
The Nebels are Pacific Northwest natives, veterans of the regional music scene who have recorded 10 CDs and done eight tours in the United Kingdom, while also playing in the Tacoma-based country swing band, Cowgirl’s Dream. Obata is native of St. Louis, Mo. who has been writing songs and playing flat-pick guitar since the 1970s, producing two solo CDs while performing on CDs for other artists.
Next up on July 24 is local favorite Plaid Cats. Formed in 2007 by Dan and Andrea Vaughn, Plaid Cats’ repertoire ranges from vocally rich swing to doo-wop, jug band and rock and roll “Oldies,” performing old standards along with original compositions.
“Plaid Cat is a Spokane festival favorite with a smooth vocal delivery, playing lots of songs you thought you forgot,” Andrea Vaughn said in an email.
Those who have never seen Plaid Cats can get an early sample as the group is performing this Saturday, July13, on College Avenue in downtown Cheney after the Rodeo parade from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
July at Sutton Park comes to a close July 31 with Spokane’s Sidetrack making their first appearance. Formed in 2003, the band made up of Dave McRae, Alan Fisher, Rick Singer, Maxie Ray Mills, Phil Kleinman and Ron Green features acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, trumpet, pedal and lap steels, banjo, bass guitar, drums, harmonica and rich three-part harmonies.
Kosta La Vista kicks things off in August with “Electric Blues for all of you’s!” on Aug. 7. A three-piece composed of Pat Bakken on guitars, Terry Brenneise on drums and Kosta Pandis on bass, Kosta La Vista covers danceable tunes from Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Robert Cray and John Mayer, along with tunes from more current rock and roll artists.
Cheney’s Pete and Jewell Baccarella hit the gazebo stage on Aug. 14. The duo have been performing locally for years, playing what Pete Baccarella describes as “country with a little bit of everything else.”
The series concludes on Aug. 21 with another local favorite and past Sutton Park performer, Last Chance for Gas.
“We are a unique band in many ways,” Last Chance for Gas’s Jim Brickey said. “One is that we only perform for benefit or charitable events. We play as often as we really feel comfortable purely by word of mouth.”
Started in 2011 at Spokane’s First Presbyterian Church, Last Chance for Gas musicians have over 200 years of experience playing music between them. Consisting of Brickey on drums, Robin Amend on bass, flute, saxophone and vocals; Greg Schmidt on keyboards, guitars and Djembe and Michael Wilson and Tim Monte Carlo on guitars. Last Chance for Gas takes on songs from classic rock, praise and worship
All Sutton Park performances are free and run from 6:30 — 8 p.m.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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