July 27 Concert in the Park
Lots of their fans will cheer their approval and sing along to Country tunes when Bullwhip takes the stage July 27 at the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell, as will an invisible music lover – Kaye Pilmore.
The entire 2011 Concert in the Park summer music series is dedicated to the memory of the vibrant lady whose passion for the arts in all its shapes and forms helped inspire countless individuals to follow their artistic dreams. The founding member of the Clinton County Arts Council in 1981 and director of the CCAC Gallery for more than 20 years passed away in January.
As was the case in the formation of the Arts Council, Kaye was among a few visionaries who saw potential in a performing venue at the St. Johns City Park. She and others helped guide the planning process that resulted in construction of the “new” Performance Shell in 2005 that replaced the dated band shell at the park.
Thousands of people who enjoy music there each week during the summer months have Kaye and other art-friendly folks to thank for those lovely sounds – all free for everyone to hear.
Bullwhip’s performance date is dedicated especially to Kaye, and the up-and-coming band is certainly eager to make music in honor of the lady who helped make the summer series happen. The highly energetic, five-piece country band has been bringing its brand of line-dancin’, toe-tappin’, two-steppin’, floor-fillin’ Top 40 Country music to venues across mid-Michigan for the past three years.
Band members include St. Johns native Jeff Dietrich on drums; Matt Foreman from Williamston on guitar and singing along with lead vocalist Ariel Dixon from South Lyon; Steve Foreman from Leslie on bass and vocals; and Jim Lill from Portland on lead guitar and vocals.
Bullwhip has the pleasure of opening for national recording artists Steel Magnolia this summer. The band has performed at numerous events including the Grand Rapids Devos Children’s Hospital Motorcycle Ride. The band will be back on the club circuit this fall.
Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the city of St. Johns, with support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. The free concerts are held each Wednesday evening, beginning at 7 p.m., in the beautiful outdoor concert venue at the St. Johns City Park, located near Park and Morton streets. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand each week that offers light refreshments. All concerts are held rain or shine.
For information on Concert in the Park call the Clinton County Arts Council, (989) 224-2429.