New free concert series launches Saturday in Dayton

A free summer music series is launching in Dayton, Tennessee, on Saturday, June 23, at the Rhea County Courthouse, 1475 Market St.

Summer Nights will feature four concerts from regional talent presenting gospel, country, rock and a singer-songwriter showcase, sponsored by the Scopes Festival, according to festival chairman Tom Davis.

Davis says the inspiration for the series grew from a decision by County Executive George Thacker a year ago to enhance the stage on the courthouse grounds, adding a roof and lights.

“The festival committee thought that the improvements the county made just begged for more use than the three or four times it was being used. Over the past several months, we have put together a program we believe will offer something for most musical tastes and give the community another area to enjoy our beautiful courthouse,” says Davis.

Activities at the courthouse will start at 5:30 p.m. each of the next four Saturdays. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets since there is limited seating on-site.

› June 23: Gospel music night will feature Tony and Valerie Castlen with Skip Shaver; New Hope Quartet; Jim Poster and the Couriers; Chris Perdue, the 2017 Lake Cumberland Gospel Music Association Male Soloist of the Year; and the Mays Family from Chickamauga, Georgia, formerly of Dayton.

› June 30: Abigail Corvin will open for the Brandon Maddox Duo from Nashville.

› July 7: The Manshoes will play covers of rock standards and their own original songs.

› July 14: Summer Nights wraps up with a singer-songwriter concert produced by Dayton’s Main Stage Music. Main Stage, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, regularly holds singer- songwriter evenings showcasing local talent.

For more information: scopesbluegrass.com/scopes-summer-nights.

FACEBOOK. COM PHOTO Chris Perdue is one of five gospel acts that will perform on opening night of the new Summer Nights concert series in Dayton, Tennessee.