Johnny Staats Project to open Artsbridge concerts
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PARKERSBURG -- The free Artsbridge Summer Music Series at City Park will open at 7 p.m. Thursday with the renowned Johnny Staats Project.
The Summer Music Series is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with drawings, giveaways and food trucks including Sno Biz Shaved Ice, The Bodega, Napoli's Pizza and All American Kettle Corn.
The Johnny Staats Project is fronted by Johnny Staats, a world-class bluegrass mandolin, guitar and violin player who was born and raised in West Virginia.
Staats has been featured on NBC's "Today Show," in People Magazine, on the CBS Evening News and CNN and has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. He supports local instrument makers by playing instruments made in the Parkersburg area.
Staats exploded onto the Nashville and national scene in 2000 when his first CD, "Wires and Wood" by The Johnny Staats Project, was the talk of Music City and quickly received international attention and acclaim. He has a large worldwide following because of his vocals and guitar and mandolin speed and creativity.
Also in the Johnny Staats Project are Rick Poling on keyboard and Roger Bush on drums.
The Summer Music Series at the Park is hosted by Artsbridge and this Thursday's performance is sponsored by Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home & Crematory.
Concerts, held at the band stand, are free, but donations will be collected for Arts in Education programs benefiting schools in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Lawn chairs are recommended.