Johnson City Parks & Recreation: Lakeside Concert Series Hosts Samantha Gray Band

Press release from Johnson City Parks & Recreation:

June 22, 2021

The Lakeside Concert Series at Winged Deer Park’s Lakefront Festival Plaza Goulding Amphitheater features the unabashedly bluesy Samantha Gray Band on Thursday, June 24.

Samantha Gray’s unique voice has been described as soulful, sultry and powerful. She melds her blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll influences into her own brand of blues music and is known for her retro style and high-energy, hip-shaking performances, which capture audiences.

Born and raised in the working-class town of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Gray began her creative journey at a very early age. Making her way to Nashville, then to Bristol, she sang backing vocals for jump blues band, Jive Deluxe and fronted former bands, The Detroit Specials and The Soul Providers with local guitarist, Jimmie D. 

She continues to sing and write blues and classic R&B songs, currently fronting the Samantha Gray Band with Billy Crawford on guitar, Robert McClain on bass and John Grayson on drums. Gray released her first album, “Bad Girl Now,” in 2010 and her second album, “Live From Lee Theatre,” in 2018. 

The free Lakeside Concert Series offers a mix of the area’s top talent at a venue known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs to relax on the grassy hillsides, or move and groove whenever the mood strikes. The location provides easy access, free parking, concessions, a playground and plenty of room for social distance.   

The concerts will be held 7-9 p.m. each Thursday through July 29 at Winged Deer Park’s Goulding Amphitheatre, 199 Carroll Creek Road, Johnson City. There are two exceptions this year. The Johnson City Symphony Orchestra will perform at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 27 at the Winged Deer Park Festival Plaza, and there will be no concert on Thursday, July 1.

This year’s concert schedule is as follows:

The Lakeside Concert Series is presented by the News & Neighbor, 101.5 WQUT Tri-Cities Classic Rock, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

For more information call 423-283-5827.

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This press release was produced by Johnson City Parks & Recreation. The views expressed here are the author’s own.