Summertime by George 2023 Lineup Dubbed ‘The Great Eight’

(KNSI) – Summertime by George is dropping a couple of dates without sacrificing any of the free music that St. Cloud has come to expect.

The 2023 lineup is being nicknamed “The Great Eight,” with two of those, dubbed power nights, featuring multiple headliners and extended sets. Summertime by George Entertainment Committee Member Chad Epsen says the diversity of 2022 will continue thanks to the incredible reception certain acts got last summer.

“Free and Easy and The Dap Squad. You know, those nights we had people walking up side stage telling us they loved them. So they were an easy one to bring back to kind of fill that Motown/R&B/soul side of it. We’re really excited to have them back.”

Fellow member Steve Bresnahan says the longer shows will not be a problem for volunteers.

“The other thing I’ll mention is I think people equate Rotary with Summertime by George, but this club and its many members are involved in a lot of things behind the scenes and a lot of small efforts, and the club always steps up. People will be there. Rotarians will be there. Rotarians are always there. That’s what we do.”

The committee spoke with KNSI News at Thursday’s concert lineup reveal. They say that playing in front of 10,000 people is a special opportunity and musicians recognize that. Acts from across the country are now asking about the opportunity to perform.

Steve Gottwalt says, “We got a lot of people who know about it, they want to be here, they want to be part of it. You wouldn’t believe the effort that goes in on the part of all these committee members to sift through the acts, figure out what the mix is going to be, and find out who that emerging artist is that we’re going to put on stage who someday you’re gonna say, ‘Wow! I saw them when they were at Summertime by George.'”

Five acts are new to the concert series this year. The committee is particularly excited about country singer-songwriter John King who headlines on July 26th. The first concert is June 14th. The full schedule is below.

Week 1 – June 14

Main Act / Headliner: The Johnny Holm Band
Sponsor: US Bank

Opening Act: Sawyer’s Dream

Week 2 – June 21

Main Act / Headliner: Free and Easy
Sponsor: Spire Credit Union

Opening Act: Stone Road

Week 3 – June 28

“POWER NIGHT”

Main Act / Headliner: The Killer Vees
Sponsor: Xcel Energy

Main Act / Headliner: Church of Cash [NEW TO SBG!]
Sponsor: Coborn’s

Week 4 – July 12

Main Act / Headliner: The Dap Squad
Sponsor: Quinlivan & Hughes P.A.