SummerSounds returns to Greensburg Friday

The sounds of summer will echo through Greensburg as SummerSounds, one of the region’s longest-running free outdoor concert series, returns Friday for its 21st year.

The Steepwater Band, a rock band from Chicago, is scheduled to take the stage at 7 p.m. at the Robertshaw Amphitheater in St. Clair Park.

The popular concert series that typically includes 13 concerts was canceled last year because of the pandemic. It will feature an abbreviated nine concerts this year, every Friday through Oct. 1.

Each week kicks off with local bands performing preshow concerts at 6:15 p.m.

SummerSounds founder Gene James said he was a little concerned about the prospects for booking bands after a year of no music but was pleased to find that bands were eager to sign on to outdoor venues.

This year’s concert series includes everything from rock to New Orleans jazz and country music, with performers hailing from the East Coast to the west and south to New Orleans.

“We sign bands that you can’t hear in Greensburg,” James said.

He said event organizers were concerned about covid precautions. They settled on plans to make free masks available and post signs at the two main entrances to the park saying “Need a mask? We’ve got ’em.”

“I don’t think too many people will want one, but who knows?” James said.

They also are asking that unvaccinated people plan to bring blankets or chairs and take advantage of the grassy hillside as opposed to the bleachers, which typically are packed.

James said the concert series, which brings about 30,000 people to Greensburg every summer, attracts an average of just under 3,000 fans per show and helps fill restaurants and taverns on Friday evenings.

This year, the Greensburg Community Development Corporation partnered with SummerSounds to provide free program ads to city restaurants that have supported the concert series in the past.

James said the concert series is underwritten through a combination of sponsorships and fan donations collected at the concerts.

In addition to Steepwater, this year’s SummerSounds schedule includes:

• Aug. 13 — Shaun Martin & Band

• Aug. 20 — Teddy Thompson & Jenny Moldier

• Aug. 27 — John Papa Gross

• Sept. 3 — Toronzo Cannon

• Sept. 10 — Laurel Canyon

• Sept. 17 — The Claudettes

• Sept. 24 — Sideline

• Oct. 1 — Green River