(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 13, 2023 – Silver Bay, MN) – Today, Rocky Wall Productions announced RICH MATTSON & THE NORTHSTARS to the City Center Park stage in downtown Silver Bay for a free con-cert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, August 18th. This is the sixth of eight free Friday night Silver Bay Music In The Park Concert Series events.
“Rich Mattson is a North Country institution, having run Sparta Sound on the Mesabi Iron Range for nearly 20 years,” said Rocky Wall Productions President Nelson French, “He is well known for his songwriting and outstanding showmanship as well as his work with literally thousands of artists at his Sparta Sound recording studio.”
The Northstars originally started out as a “cosmic folk” band, but its sound has gradually evolved to the alt-jangle rock of Mattson’s other known bands. Fans of elec-tric and acoustic guitar-driven rock like Neil Young & Buffalo Springfield, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, Son Volt, The Byrds, The Long Ryders, and Whiskeytown are sure to enjoy the Northstars and their songs.
Mattson grew up in West Eveleth and, after immersing himself in the Twin Cities music scene for a couple decades, moved to Sparta, MN, in 2005. Since opening Sparta Sound, he has recorded numerous timeless-sounding recordings with some of Minnesota’s best rock, folk, and alt-country musicians, including Gemberling, Martin Devaney, Jennifer Markey, Trampled By Turtles, the Belfast Cowboys, and Dan Israel. Many Twin Cities musicians make the trek up north, lured as they are by a creative solitude that’s about to get even quieter.
This FREE outdoor concert will be held on Friday, August 18th at Silver Bay’s City Center Park near City Hall. You are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and blanket for comfort. Feel free to show up downtown any time after 6:00 pm. Emma’s Kitchen, Southern Belle’s Sweets and The Treat Trike will be on site to meet your food, beverage and sweet needs. There will also be several local craft vendors including the Bay Area Historical Society and others featuring craft items including Rocky Taconite themed items. The vendors will be present before and during the concert.
Our seventh concert of the season will be on Friday, August 25th and will feature THE SCARLET GOODBYE, labelled “the most unlikely mash-up in Minnesota Music His-tory”, the creative combination of Daniel Murphy (Soul Asylum), Pat Frederick (Daisy Dillman Band) and Jeff Arundel.
These are all-weather shows. In the case of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved indoors to the Reunion Hall, 97 Outer Drive, Silver Bay.
Rocky Wall Productions is a Silver Bay based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization producing and promoting live music in Silver Bay and on Lake Superior’s North Shore from Duluth to Grand Portage. This is our third year of bringing the best of Americana Music to the North Country for enjoyment by residents and visitors alike. More information at www.rockywallproductions.org.
The 2023 SILVER BAY MUSIC IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES is made possible by grants from Lovin’ Lake County; The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation; Minnesota Power Foundation; and Minnesota Energy Resources Foundation; and donations to Rocky Wall Productions from Cleveland Cliffs; Lucky Club Entertainment, LLC; Thrivent Financial North Shore Financial Group; True Source, LLC; VanHouse Services, LLC; Full Sun Services, LLC; Lisa Berg & David Drown; North Shore Land & Cabins; Odyssey Operating Company, LLC; Whitetail Ridge Association; Marilyn & Nelson French; Diana Carey & Charlie Huskins; Nancy Hylden & Peter McLaughlin; Julies Variety & Hardware; Sherri & Steve Pribyl; Gary Zintner; Lakeview Hospital-Clinic; LutZen Reflections, LLC; Jill & Andy Beim; North Shore Federal Credit Union; Norshor Agency; Victoria & Gary Stevens; Emily & Jim White; Adams Automotive; Charlie & Kathy Koch, Lana & Larry Fralich; Home-stead Dental; Crystal & Wade LeBlanc; Kathy & Charlie Koch, Amy Grillo & Gene LaFond; BRIESA’S Convenience Store, LLC; and Zup’s of Silver Bay.
Generous in-kind donations have also been provided by the City of Silver Bay; Two Har-bors Media; Lovin’ Lake County; Nancy & Jerry LaVigne; Best of the North Shore; Lake County Press; Cook County News-Herald; Northern Wilds Magazine; Duluth Reader; Northshore Journal; Lisa Berg & David Drown, and Nelson and Marilyn French.
Tax-deductible donations to help support these concerts are accepted. Donations to support Rocky Wall Productions can be mailed to RWP, 5418 Rocky Wall Rd, Silver Bay, MN 55614. For more information email Nelson French at ntf5418@gmail.com
