by Country music star Eddie Montgomery will kick off the much-anticipated 2024 Town Center Series on Friday, June 7 in downtown London.
Now in its fourth year, the concert series has built a reputation for pairing popular regional acts with national stars for evenings of great music spanning a variety of genres. It is presented by London Tourism and Parks and runs the first Friday of June, July and August.
Joining Montgomery as headlining acts are Everclear, an alternative rock band who had a string of hits in the ’90s, and rising country music star Drake White.
Town Center Park, located at 500 N. Main Street next to London Elementary, is a perfect place for live music with an elevated stage that can be seen from all angles and with an expansive lawn for seating. All concerts are free to the public.
• Eddie Montgomery – Friday, June 7
Vocalist Phoebe White and popular local band Spitten Image will open for Montgomery on Friday, June 7.
You might catch Eddie Montgomery taking a quick glance at an empty space beside him when he and The Wild Bunch take the stage to play the expected duet hits as well as tunes from his brand-new and mostly raucous solo debut “Ain’t No Closing Me Down.”
By tragic circumstance a solo artist, Eddie always feels the presence of Troy Gentry, his honky-tonking partner back to the days they played for beer or a chunk of flesh at a pig roast near their eastern Kentucky roots.
“I think he’ll have a blast with it, man,” says Eddie of his late Montgomery Gentry partner. “I think he’s a part of it already. I’m sure he’ll be with me.”
The man who is always “with” Eddie on stage and immersed in the soul of his first solo album is his long-time partner, Troy Gentry, who died Sept. 8, 2017, in a helicopter crash that could have put a tragic end to Montgomery Gentry sound. Except Eddie made a promise that it would go on — which, at its heart, is what this new album is all about.
“It’s always going to be ‘Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry,’” he said.
Drake White – Friday, July 5
Local music acts Andrew Moore and Hooch will open for Drake White on Friday, July 5.
White grew up singing in his church’s youth choir in Alabama before becoming one of country music’s most spirited innovators, earning four Top 40 hits and traveling the country on multiple nationwide tours. His 2013 debut single “Simple Life” introduced his brand of Country Soul, which he cemented with 2016 debut album SPARK followed by the EPs “Pieces” and “Stars.”
His most recent album, THE OPTIMYSTIC, is an inspiring glimpse into the journey he has taken over the past few years. White has received accolades including Rolling Stone’s 10 Country Artists You Need to Know, The Grammy’s Artist of Tomorrow and the British CMA Awards’ International Song of the Year and has shared the bill with Country music superstars like Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Zac Brown Band.
Everclear – Friday, August 2
Alternative rock band Three Years Apart from Corbin as well as London’s own My Finest Hour will open for Everclear — closing out the concert series on Friday, August 2.
Everclear, one of the leading alternative rock bands to emerge from the ‘90s, celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2022, and founder, vocalist and guitarist Art Alexakis has made it clear that he has no plans to slow down.
Since forming in 1992, Everclear has enjoyed a lengthy career by any measure, spanning 11 studio releases, including four that have been certified Gold or Platinum, selling over 6 million records, and achieving 12 Top 40 Hit Singles on Mainstream Rock, Alternative, and Adult Top 40 radio, including “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine,” “I Will Buy You A New Life,” “Wonderful” and “Everything To Everyone,” as well as numerous videos, thousands of shows, and various other accolades, including a 1998 Grammy nomination.
Spectators are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food and beverage Vendors will be at Town Center dishing out a wide variety of fresh cuisine to enhance a wonderful evening of live performances in London’s beautiful downtown park. Plenty of parking is available behind the park at London Elementary School and in parking lots all around downtown London.
Additional details about each event will be released as the concerts approach. For complete visitor information check out www.VisitLondonKY.com.
