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Father Hennepin opened the Concerts on the Pier series at Glensheen last week. Photo by Jill Fisher.

Finally, summer weather has arrived –time to enjoy music outdoors. And there were plenty of options to choose from his past week. 

Rather than attend the Trampled By Turtles event at Bayfront on July 6, I eschewed the crowds and saved some dough, thereby allowing me to concentrate on other outdoor concerts. 

The first was on Wednesday, July 3, a sunny and breezy 75-degree evening at Glensheen for its Concert on the Pier. This year these concerts are including opening acts and on this day it was Nat Harvie who opened for Father Hennepin. Unfortunately, I missed seeing him but I was on hand to see Starfire (Scott Lunt, acoustic guitar) lead Father Hennepin. Since FH has been around for quite some time now, most folks know who the members are, for those who don’t the members onstage included Ted “Wolfman” Anderson (electric guitar), Jimi Cooper (electric guitar), Suzi Ludwig (accordion), Bob Olson (bass) and Brad Nelson (drums).

As vessels of all kinds – kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, sailboats and cabin cruisers – gathered in the waters around the pier, FH got its gig going with some interesting songs. The first was about “what the world means to me” in the song “Cocktail Napkin.” The second was  “Grace & Despair.” 

The mood lightened considerably when the band launched into a cover of The Who’s 1975 hit “Mama’s Got A Squeeze Box” that highlighted Suzi’s energetic accordion playing. 

One of the fun things about this band is that they share the lead vocals, providing a diversity of songs and sounds. Ted sang lead on two of his original compositions, “Feng Shui Calendar” and “Neon Lights,” the latter of which laments “…you can’t smoke in bars no more.” 

Jimi sang a song popularized by Cannonball Lewis: “Honky Tonkin’” that displayed his amazing guitar chops. 

Special guests were invited to join FH on the pier, the first being Harriet Anderson, Ted’s daughter, who sang the John Prine song, “Angel from Montgomery.” 

Later Sonja Bujold Martin (of Feeding Leroy) joined the group for a couple songs that were most pleasing. One, “Streets of Baltimore,” was a tune I’d never heard before but it was memorable and evidently a country classic as I discovered on the internet. 

A country song FH covered was Dwight Yoakam’s 2007 hit “Close Up the Honky Tonks.” The lyrics to a Johnny Cash song, “Wrinkled, Crinkled, Wadded Dollar Bill,” that references Lake Michigan, were modified by Starfire to fit our Lake Superior location. And as usual “I Like It In Duluth” provided a fitting finale.

The Concerts on the Pier will continue on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer with the last one scheduled for August 28. You really don’t want to miss them! (See glensheen.org/concerts/ for all the lineups.)

And then there was Fourth Fest. It was a breezy, 65-degree day under a sky that threatened rain, but fortunately held off. Four acts preceded the main attraction: fireworks! 

I did not get to Bayfront in time for the first band, Booty and the Hoefish (a takeoff on Hooty & the Blowfish) but did get to hear the last few numbers performed by Slope City led by Mike Smišek (electric guitar) and backed by Ethan Gibbs (keys), Tarek Makky (bass guitar) and Matthew Groom (drums). Two tunes were “Alone I Fly” and “Too Close to the Sun” – both quite nice, if a bit laid back for the venue.

Danny Frank and the Smoky Gold had the third time slot on the Bayfront stage. Happily I was there for their entire set starting at 7:10 pm. 

In addition to Danny (acoustic guitar, lead vocals) the band members include Dr. Erin Aldridge (fiddle), Harrison Olk (banjo) and Joe Scarpellino (bass guitar). This group gets multiple gold stars for this performance. I’ve seen them play any number of times and they have never disappointed. Indeed, it seems each time the band gets tighter, more professional and rockin’. 

From the first number, “Dead and Gone,” the band was pretty much on fire. Danny’s wife Angie joined the crew on stage for a couple numbers, “Sailboat” and “It Ain’t Easy” that toned it down a tad. 
Then it was onto “Dead or Alive” and “Dark Times” (something of a theme going here) that amped up the vibe.

I really enjoyed Smokin’ Joe’s original composition “Where I Belong.” He sang lead, of course, and acted out the “running” lyrics (a bit hokey, but fun). This was followed up by the rousing fiddle-banjo duet, “Penny’s Bone” composed by Erin and Harrison leading right into ”One More Try.” Once Erin gets going, she just can’t help but dominate. Moreover her contribution elevates the band’s sound – meaning that it’s not just her own virtuosity added to the whole but also its effect on the other players who are moved to play their absolute best. 

Danny’s voice and polish are clear assets to the group and for many bands that would be enough to build a following. 

Yet, as with Father Hennepin, sharing the lead vocals is a plus, bringing new elements to fuse with the alt-country foundation of this band’s repertoire. Add to that Erin’s intensity and the result is the unique and distinctive band that is Danny Frank and the Smoky Gold. 

The next night was another opportunity for some plein-air fun, so it was off to Jack’s in Superior to “rip it up” to the music of Indecent Proposal. One of the attractions of this venue are the murals that decorate the walls of the bar’s outdoor patio, with large replications of vintage beer motifs, a Coke ad and street scenes. The layout is conducive for listening, dancing and hanging out to talk and drink with friends. 

This Saturday evening, as the sky cleared and the temps remained in the low 70s, was a perfect weekend treat. Because there was a snafu with equipment, band member Jason Owens (guitar) was called on to entertain the crowd as a solo artist for about the first half hour, which turned out to be an added treat. His voice is clear, on key and was especially expressive on the Jerry Jeff Walker tune, “Mr. Bojangles.” This oft-covered tune can become a bit hackneyed, but not in this instance where he brought his own feeling to it. 

Owens played satisfying renditions of Old Crow Medicine’s Show’s “Sweet Amarillo” and Pink Floyd’s “Fearless” as well. 

By 8:40 pm the snafu was resolved and the rest of the band, Josh Brown (lead vocals, electric guitar), Terry Beekman (bass) and Jevin Joki (drums) joined Owens to make good on their gig. “The Weight” by The Band was the cover they started off with, using some echo sound effects, before they played their original “Feeling Good.” Brown is particularly impressive on the cover of “Californication.” 

Indecent Proposal has been streaming a number of original singles the past months and putting out interesting videos that folks can check out online. By the time the Curmudgeon and I left, the dance floor was filled with women who were letting the music move them around. 

We were off to catch the last set of Matt Sayles of Eau Claire, Wis., at Sir Ben’s, who has become a favorite, both as a solo artist and member of the Driftless Revelers. He was in fine form this late evening as he performed country and truck-driving nuggets. Local fiddler Clancy Ward joined him on several tunes.

One of the things that has come to my attention is that oodles of lake resorts and country bars in the Northland  provide gig opportunities for our local musicians. So when I heard of the Sunday Burger Brew and Blues event at the Delta Diner in Wisconsin, I thought we’d better check it out. So the C and I headed east to catch the Last Highway Band playing there on Sunday, July 7. 

Despite off-and-on rain showers, we enjoyed a set of “good ol’ classic blues” (as announced by lead guitarist Mel Sando). This group provides backup for the monthly blues jam at R.T. Quinlan’s. The trio includes Dave Prudhomme on electric bass and Glen Thomas on drums. If you are up for a pleasant Sunday outing, you might want to make the approximately one-hour drive out to Delta to hear what all they have on tap. Last Highway will be back there on July 28.

Upcoming: There’s lots more outdoor music ahead. Porch Fest continues this Thursday, July 11, in Superior’s Central Park neighborhood from 6-8 pm, not to mention Grace Potter and Mae Simpson performing at Earth Rider that same evening beginning at 7 pm. 

Then there’s the 2024 Festival By the Lake taking place on Saturday, July 13, at Bayfront Park with six different acts taking the stage from noon to 6 pm. 

But wait! Don’t forget the (indoor) Armory Reunion Party, also on Saturday, from 3-6 pm where five musicians from five bands who participated in the 1961 Battle of the Bands there will join forces as the Reunion Party House Band. (See dulutharmory.org for details.) 

Another indoor event that’s a must-do for blues lovers is the blues jam on Sunday, July 14 from 4-7 pm at R.T. Quinlan’s led by Mel Sando.

Outdoor music continues with the Tuesday evening Chester Park concert by Mary Bue & the Monarchy on July 16, beginning at 6:30. The next evening, July 17, performers at Glensheen’s Concert on the Pier are the Gemstones beginning at 5, followed by Chastity Brown. 

What an embarrassment of riches we music lovers have to choose from. See you out there!