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Up next in the Sounds of Summer concert series: Oat Bran Boys

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,
Oat Bran Boys perform this Thursday at Cutler Park. (Oat Bran Boys)

By Shallom Kimanzi
WKTV Intern

The Oat Bran Boys with live acoustic sounds are next in line to play at the Sounds of Summer concert series.

The boys known in most of West Michigan will be performing this Thursday, July 16, from 7 p.m at Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park Dr. SW, just west of the Division Avenue and 68th Street intersection.

The Oat Bran Boys is a trio consisting of two brothers, John King on guitar, Rich King on bass, and long time band member Dan Seabolt on the fiddle. According to the group’s Facebook page, the three join together to make a variety of acoustic sounds that wow their audiences.

Bluegrass, jazz, folk, swing, country, acoustic rock and Americana sounds are what this trio is about. A little bit of everything is exactly what the Oat Bran Boys will bring to the stage during this free family-friendly event with nightly kids activities and a huge playground area located at the park.

The organizers will be observing social distancing guidelines which include all individuals who can, wearing masks and social distancing between different groups of people. Remember, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s new executive order on mask wearing went into effect on Monday, July 13.

Sponsored by the Byron Township, the Sounds of Summer concert series will continue through the end of July. Upcoming performances include Dusty Chaps July 23, and LWND July 30. For more information about the Sounds of Summer, click here.  

Previous Sounds of Summer concerts are now airing on WKTV Channel 25 at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 p.m. Saturdays.

Local trumpeter kicks of Sounds of Summer series tomorrow

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Max Colley III kicks off the Sounds of Summer concert series tomorrow. (Supplied/Max Colley III)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Trumpeter extraordinaire Max Colley III will kick off the 2020 Sounds of Summer concert series tomorrow at Cutler Park.

The popular concert series is one of the few free concert series that will take place this summer. The concert is set for 7 p.m. and organizer Patty Williams said there will be social distancing guidelines including groups sitting at least six feet a part.

Colley has earned many honors over the years including being named the 2014 Musician of the Year by the West Michigan Jazz Society. He has performed with several area groups such as the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, The Truth in Jazz Orchestra and Gumbo Nuveau, as well as his own Max Colley III Quartet. 

Through his Facebook, Colley has stated he is excited about being able to performing considering so many summer concerts have been cancelled. 

“I always look forward to this and try and keep it fresh and new each year,” Colley wrote on his Facebook page. He has been part of the Sounds of Summer concert series for about 20 years. “It will be hot, but I guarantee it won’t be snowing!”

Joining Colley on stage is Jordan VanHemert on sax, Kazuki Takemura on bass, Elijah Cosby on drums, and Colley will be trumpet and drums. 

The Sounds of Summer includes family friendly activities. All performers start at 7 p.m. The shows are sponsored by Byron Township. 

“We know that people really look forward to this,” said Byron Township Supervisor Tom Hooker about the annual Sounds of Summer concert series. “We just felt this was an opportunity for people to get out and look forward to something that was different.”

Upcoming performances include Jaded July 9, Oat Bran Boys July 16, Dusty Chaps July 23 and LWND July 30. For more information about the Sounds of Summer, click here.