Menu
ParkFest turns blue for Tuesday concert
The Bob Flanigan Bandshell might as well be painted blue for this week's installment of ParkFest.
A pair of blues acts -- Craig Brenner and the Tad Robinson Trio -- will play the 6:30 p.m. concert on Tuesday, June 18 at Robe Ann Park.
Craig Brenner is influenced by the music of New Orleans and its distinguished piano players, including Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Dr. John, and Henry Butler, as well as Clifton Chenier, the Meters and Neville Brothers. Other influences include the great boogie woogie players Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson and Bob Seeley; blues players such as Memphis Slim; and swing as performed by Louis Prima and Keely Smith.
Called "a fine and funky pianist" by Living Blues, Brenner has been voted best musician in Bloomington numerous times, and Craig Brenner & The Crawdads has been rated best band.
A graduate of Florida Southern College, Brenner attended the IU School of Music from 1976 through 1980, where he studied piano, jazz improvisation and composition.
He is the founder and leader of Craig Brenner & The Crawdads (rated one of the top blues bands in Indiana by NUVO Weekly) and a long-time member of The Ragin' Texans.
Robinson is a soul blues singer who needs no introduction to local audiences. The New York City native cut his teeth in the Chicago blues scene before settling here in Greencastle.
Tad has caught the attention of the music world with his seven Blues Music Award nominations (the Grammys of blues music) and his many recordings, including the song "Rained All Night" which was nominated for Blues Song of the Year at the 2011 Blues Music Awards.
He's a veteran of countless national and international tours, including many of the most important international blues festivals.
With harmonica chops schooled by Big and Little Walter, Sonny Boy I and II, Junior Wells, James Cotton, among many, and vocals that compare to Otis Redding, Syl Johnson, Al Green, Teddy Pendergrass, Tad ranks as one of the most unique and talented members of the international blues and soul communities.
Final Approach will be the food vendor this week. Sponsors of this show are Greencastle Civic League, Butler Gas and LP, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Hammer & Co. and The National Center for College Costs.
Upcoming ParkFest shows include John Bean and the Mongrel Dogs on June 25, Covered Bridge Country Chorus and the Fret Set on July 2, Bridge 19 and Mary Michael on July 9 and Jason Coons and Saturday Shoes on July 16.