The summer concert lineup is set for the Summit Rock Showcase at the Warren Community Amphitheatre.
Concert promoter Walt English said he is bringing back the acts that proved to be the biggest draws in 2008 while trying to address concerns raised by some in the community about the lack of diversity in the concert lineup.
Complementing the classic-rock-heavy lineup is a little country, a bit of jazz and blues and some rock acts that will have a younger appeal.
English has nearly every Saturday at the outdoor venue reserved between May 23 and Sept. 27, although the plans are tentative after Labor Day weekend. English said he may use those September dates as rain dates in case any of the bands scheduled earlier in the summer are unable to perform (something that happened more than once in '08) or he will fill them with regional acts that can fill out the schedule at a late notice.
The current schedule, which is subject to change, features:
- May 23 - 7T7, a female-led rock band whose repertoire ranges from Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin to Duffy and Sara Bareilles, and The Girls
- May 30 - Zoso (Led Zeppelin tribute) and Lock 4.
''Zoso always packs the place,'' English said. ''And we put a modern rock band with him so it hits two age groups.''
- June 13 - Broken Road (Rascal Flatts tribute), 52nd Street (Billy Joel tribute) and Captain Fantastic (Elton John tribute)
''This is one of the shows that got rained out last year, and we wanted to give people a chance to see them,'' he said..
- June 20 - Get Back (Beatles tribute) and The Rebeats (British Invasion tribute)
- June 27 - Higher Ground (Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute) and Hooked on Tonics
- July 4 - Fins to the Left (Jimmy Buffett tribute) and The Uptown Cats (funk)
- July 11 - The Coldplayers (Coldplay tribute) and Zach
''Coldplay won all the Grammys this year, so I went out and found the only Coldplay tribute band,'' English said. ''They're from Canada.''
- July 18 - The Bridges (Eagles tribute)
- July 25 - Bad Medicine (Bon Jovi tribute) and Vicious Cycle (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute)
- Aug. 1 - Almost Queen (Queen tribute) and 45RPM
- Aug. 15 - Ekoostik Hookah and Red Sun Rising
''Ekoostik Hookah has a big college following,'' English said, and the jam band will provide the soundtrack for what he billed as a ''hippie night.''
- Aug. 22 - Victory Hwy and The Rhythm Syndicate (blues/jazz)
- Aug. 29 - Majestic (Journey tribute) and Evil Ways (Santana tribute)
- Sept. 5 - Ohio (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute)
- Sept. 12 - To be announced
- Sept. 19 - To be announced
- Sept. 26 - To be announced
While the bands mostly are set, the series is feeling the effects of the economy in looking for sponsorships.
At this time last year, English had 16 sponsors lined up for the concert series.
Right now he has two.
''We're still going to do the concert series, but we may have to cut back on the sound and lighting,'' English said. ''I'm the guy who wants to have a flamboyant, full-concert feel. I don't put on parties in the park, but that's what it might come to be.''
Andy Gray is the entertainment writer for the Tribune Chronicle. Write to him at grayareas@tribtoday.com