The concert is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at the park, located at 6701 Cutler Park Dr. SW with the series set to run every Thursday through July at Cutler Park and then switching over to Byron Center’s Bicentennial Park, 8085 Byron Center Ave. SW, in August.
Sponsored by Byron Township and presented by P. Williams Productions and LW Studios, the community concert series is free. Residents are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit on. The Juicy Wieners will be selling hot dogs and pork sandwiches also will be available.
P. Williams Productions tapes each concert, which are rebroadcasted on WKTV throughout the summer.
July 13: That Beatles Thing – A local cover band transports you back in time to hear the hits of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
July 20: Ryan Curtis Band – This Michigan-born, Idaho-based artist covers anything from folk to bluegrass to rock to blues through personal stories and life lessons.
July 27: The Soul Syndicate – This party band tributes iconic funk, soul, and R&B artists with electric, high-energy performances.
The August series at Byron Center’s Bicentennial Park, 8085 Byron Center Ave. SW, includes:
Aug. 3: Great Scott! – This Grand Rapids-based party band has something for everyone, playing hits from the fifties through today.
Aug. 10: Carson Peters and Iron Mountain – Traveling all the way from East Tennessee, this award-winning bluegrass group has played at the Grand Ole Opry and around the world.
Aug. 17: The Soul Syndicate – A familiar group in Grand Rapids, the band performs funk, soul and R&B.
Sounds of Summer will expand its offerings, providing music in July at Cutler Park and in August at Byron Center’s Bicentennial Park. (Courtesy, Patty Williams)
With increased attendance, this summer the Sounds of Summer will be expanding and returning to where it all started.
The free community concert series, sponsored by Byron Township and presented by P. Williams Productions and LW Studios, will expand into August from its traditional July schedule. All the July performances will be at Cutler Park, in Cutlerville, with the August performances at Byron Center’s Bicentennial Park, which is where the series started in 2008.
Patty Williams, from P. Williams Production, said the expansion is a result of the event being hit with the public. The 2022 series drew more than 2,000 visitors to listen to a wide variety of bands.
“They know how to put on a very entertaining show,” Williams added, speaking of the bands performing and the production team behind them.
What music will I hear at Sounds of Summer?
Every Thursday at 7 p.m., listeners can gather in Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park Dr. SW, in July and Bicentennial Park in August to enjoy a night of music, games, and refreshments. Aiming to be inclusive for all crowds, the series features trivia games, CD giveaways, and catering by local vendors in addition to the bands.
The 2023 Series opens on July 6 at Cutler Park with a wide array of musical talent. This year’s Cutler Park lineup includes:
The Soul Syndicate will perform July 27 at Cutler Park. (Supplied by the band)
July 6: Azz Izz Band – With decades of experience, this group takes on blues, country, soul, and rock hits.
July 13: That Beatles Thing – A local cover band transports you back in time to hear the hits of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
July 20: Ryan Curtis Band – This Michigan-born, Idaho-based artist covers anything from folk to bluegrass to rock to blues through personal stories and life lessons.
July 27: The Soul Syndicate – This party band tributes iconic funk, soul, and R&B artists with electric, high-energy performances.
The August series at Byron Center’s Bicentennial Park, 8085 Byron Center Ave. SW, includes:
Aug. 3: Great Scott! – This Grand Rapids-based party band has something for everyone, playing hits from the fifties through today.
Aug. 10: Carson Peters and Iron Mountain – Traveling all the way from East Tennessee, this award-winning bluegrass group has played at the Grand Ole Opry and around the world.
Aug. 17: The Soul Syndicate – A familiar group in Grand Rapids, the band performs funk, soul and R&B.
What Else is a Part of Sounds of Summer?
Sounds of Summer aims to provide a rewarding recreational experience in addition to the concerts, Williams said.
Cutler Park features a playground to keep the younger crowd entertained, as well as a walking path for exercise or dancing along to the music. The only things listeners need to bring are blankets, lawn chairs, and a listening ear. Hungry? Pick up a hot dog from the cart operated by Juicy Wieners. If Juicy Wieners aren’t your style, pork sandwiches also will be provided at this year’s event.
More information
P. Williams Productions tapes each concert, which are rebroadcasted on WKTV throughout the summer. This year’s series incorporates a new and expanded sound system.
With everything from bluegrass to music of the Beatles, this year’s Sounds of Summer concert series at Cutler Park in Cutlerville will feature “a little something for everyone,” according to organizers.
“Not everybody likes the same kind of music,” said organizer Patty Williams. “We try to hit every genre we can in the four-week period. We try to do something for everyone.”
Concerts begin at 7 p.m. Cutler Park is located just east of U.S. 131 off 68th Street.
Patty Williams with her son Lare Williams (left) and a guest. (Supplied)
“The best part about all of these shows is the price tag,” said Lare Williams, Patty’s son whose company LW Studios helps produce the shows each summer. “They are all absolutely free thanks to our friends at Byron Township.”
It’s a great family event, he added.
“Bring your lawn chairs, bring you blankets, bring the whole family,” Williams said. “Kids are welcome. There’s a big playground there, and they can run around and play ’til their heart’s content.”
“The series has brought fun and livelihood to Cutler Park,” he added.
The Sounds of Summer concert series started in 2008 at Bicentennial Park in downtown Byron Center by Patty Williams, who is a WKTV producer and volunteer and runs her independent P. Williams Productions.
They migrated to Cutler Park in 2015, Lare Williams said.
Lare Williams handles the sound board during one of the Sounds of Summer concerts. (Supplied)
The shows have gathered a following, he added.
“The picnic setting has brought up to 500 guests from the neighborhood and other states to the concerts,” he said.
What’s the reason for its success?
Patty Williams said it’s because they know a little bit about the entertainment business being part of The Williams Family, a local group popular in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s known for its bluegrass music.
She said Lare, for example, is a well-seasoned musician who has recorded CDs of his own. and has been on stage since he was 2-years-old.
It’s the reason why locals love Sounds of Summer, she said, because they always add “a personal touch to each week’s concert.”
“You are entertained from the moment you set up your lawn chair,” she said. “There’s not a dull moment. There is always something going on.”
They might play Sounds of Summer trivia, give away CDs and interact with the audience.
“People love that. It really puts a personal touch on it where they actually feel like they own this concert series. When people come here they say, ‘This is ours.’”
Participants often bring a picnic meal to the popular Sounds of Summer which is at Cutler Park in Cutlerville. (Supplied)
Other highlights: Ken’s food cart will be vending beverages and hotdogs this summer, and “we have the local ice cream truck make an appearance,” Lare Williams said.
Already looking ahead to next year, Patty Williams said they hope to expand the series and include the month of August, possibly back at Bicentennial Park. The concerts in Cutler Park would remain in July.
Regardless, she’s proud of what she started 14 years ago. She remembers the idea came to her when she was touring with The Williams Family band.
“We used to perform at these little town festivals, and I would say ‘Why doesn’t Byron Center have anything like this? We’re a wonderful community. We have beautiful parks.’”
It’s been good for the community, she said.
“It brings a lot of people out, and families, too,” she said. “People love it!”
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Due to COVID-19, the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission has announced that the city’s Concerts in the Park has been cancelled for 2020. (City of Wyoming)
The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission announced over the weekend that the 2020 Wyoming Concerts in the Park season has been cancelled.
The cancelation is a result of COVID-19, according to the committee’s chairperson Renee Gardner, who made the announcement on the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.
“We work hard to bringing this event to our community each year, enjoying music and dancing with all of you,” Gardner posted. “As the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, we made this decision out of concern for the safety of our volunteers and loyal attendees.”
According to John Sinkevics, publisher of Local Spins, a West Michigan music website, concerns for many of outdoor venue organizers has centered around social distancing and keeping patrons safe. In a recent Eric Zane Show, Celebration! Cinema Vice President of Programming Ron Van Timmeren mentioned that when area theaters are allowed to open how social distancing will impact the venues has been a topic of discussion. Before the Stay Home, Stay Safe order went into effect on March 24, most local theaters were blocking out seats to help maintain social distancing.
Patty Williams, who coordinates the annual Sounds of Summer at Cutlerville’s Cutler Park, which is in July, has confirmed that the four-concert series will be taking place. Also, the Lowell Chamber has confirmed its Lowell Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts will take place various evenings from July 2 – Aug. 29.
“We will be meeting over the summer to plan something special,” she wrote, adding that the commission hopes its fans “stay safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you at our next concert.”
The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission is looking to fill vacancies on the planning of the annual Wyoming Concerts in the Park event. Volunteers are needed to help plan the 2021 season. Those interested may email WyomingCEC_info@Wyoimingmi.gov or message the group on Facebook.
Justin smiles as he receives applause from the crowd.
Joelee Debo, 2, from Jamestown
Claire Debo, 4, from Jamestown.
Justin-Lee Schultz, a 10 year old talented key board player from Kalamazoo had the sounds of summer audience in amazement at the grand finale concert featuring Max Colley jazz.
The Sounds of Summer wrapped up with the Max Colley jazz group, who treated the crowd to a special 10-year-old sensation.
Max Colley surprised everyone when he presented Justin-Lee Schultz, 10, a keyboard player from Kalamazoo, to the Sounds of Summer audience during the series grand finale concert. Schultz was Colley’s special guest jazz keyboard player and part of the group’s quartet. He smiled as he received thunderous applause throughout the evening from the crowd.
The night was a perfect end to the series with an evening of live music, ice cream, and a playground for the little ones. The Debo sisters, Claire, 4, and Joelle, 2, from Jamestown, along with Trey Ewing, 3, from Dorr, were just some of the children who enjoyed all the activities.
Sounds of Summer is produced by P. Williams Productions. The program is rebroadcast on WKTV Channel 26. Check wktv.org for showtimes.
With the announcement of the cancellation of the Cutlerville Days, organizers of the Sounds of Summer concert series want residents to know that the program will return in July to Cutler Park.
Williams Productions along with the support of Byron Township make these free concerts available for the community with the concerts growing a larger audience each year.
“I believe that doing it right is the key, the best in entertainment with a variety of music genres, and high quality sound,” said Patty Williams, the award winning concert/video/music producer.
This year’s Sounds of Summer concert series will run Thursday evenings starting July at at Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park Drive. All shows are at 7 p.m. Introducing the concerts to the community this year will be newly elected Byron Township Supervisor Tom Hooker.
The 2017 lineup kicks off with bluegrass/country music with the local favorite Lare Williams & New Direction performing on July 6. On July 13 is Bettie Paige performing rock music. Popular request has brought back Blue Soul Express on July 20 and the Max Colley Jazz on July 27.
New this year, ealong with the music, is entertainment for the kids. Up under the shade tree stage left will be shows by P.J. Weber and Randy Vander Wal. These entertainers will provide balloons and magic for the children.
Ice cream, sweet treats and pizza will be available again this year thanks to Johnny’s Pizza and other local vendors from Cutlerville .
WKTV will be taping each show which are aired on the station for all to enjoy.
For more information, visit Williams Productions’ Facebook page, Facebook.com/PWilliamProductions or call 616-818-9874.
