It’s my favorite time of the year to live in Marysville. Not just because of the beautiful weather but because I love music. And the Tulalip Amphitheater brings Seattle-quality concerts to our back door.
Boz Skaggs kicks off the summer concert series with a concert July 3. “Lido Shuffle” has to be one of the catchiest tunes of all time, and “Lowdown” is a classic hit. He’s appeared with some legends, starting with performing on Steve Miller’s first two albums. He’s also performed with such greats as Michael McDonald, Duane Allman and Frankie Valli. Appearing with Skaggs is rhythm and blues great Aaron Neville.
Coming up Wednesday, July 8, is country music’s Hank Williams Jr. When I first started watching music videos on MTV years ago, I remember seeing the one of him and his dad singing “Tear in my Beer.” His dad died when Hank was young, but through electronic imaging they sang the duet together in 1989. My wife’s favorite song of his is “Family Tradition,” but most of you know his work as the longtime theme of Monday Night Football.
The tribute band Heart to Heart will perform July 17. That band includes original drummer Mike Derosier and original bassist Steve Fossen. Bob Rivers, the longtime DJ on KJR, is the keyboard player. I saw him perform with his old band, Spike and the Impalers, at the Taste of Edmonds last summer. That band also is on the show with Heart to Heart, which performs classics such as “Barracuda,” “Magic Man” and “Crazy on You.”
Legendary and smooth R&B artists Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight will perform Aug. 6. It’s hard to believe it was 23 years ago that Boyz was so popular with songs like “I’ll Make Love to You” and “End of the Road.”
Even though they are known as a country band, if you really want to rock you need to go see The Band Perry Aug. 15. I saw them not long ago at the Tacoma Dome with Blake Shelton. They have won many of country’s top awards already in their young career, and have toured with legends like Reba McIntyre, Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts. Kim, Neil and Reid’s high-energy song “Done” is worth seeing on its own. They also have some beautiful slower songs such as “If I Die Young.”
The concert I’m most looking forward to though has to be Huey Lewis and the News. I have always wanted to see them, and now I can, Aug. 28. I have their Sports album on vinyl, and it’s one of my all-time favorites because it’s got so many hits on it. They not only rock, but they have a horn section that is in the realm of Tower of Power.I’m going to list a number of their hits with the hope they will play them all: “Heart of Rock-n-Roll,” “Power of Love,” “I Wanna New Drug,” “Hip to Be Square,” “Heart and Soul,” and the more mellow, “If This Is It” and “Stuck with You.”
I would be remiss if I did not pay tribute here to Yes bassist Chris Squire, who died last weekend of leukemia at age 67. He played at the Amphitheater last August. He was one of the original band members who played with Yes for all 47 years. Not only was he an amazing bassist, he also was a fun interview because of his great sense of humor. He will be missed.
But that’s all the more reason for people to make sure they go see their favorites while they can because you never know. I never got to see Elvis, Michael Jackson, Queen, BB King and others because there’s always next time. Well, there isn’t always next time. Go see them
•Boz Scaggs & Aaron Neville, Friday, July 3
•Hank Williams, Jr., Wednesday, July 8
•Heart by Heart and Spike and the Impalers, Friday, July 17
•Boyz II Men & Brian McKnight, Thursday, Aug. 6
•The Band Perry, Saturday, Aug. 15
•Huey Lewis and the News, Friday, Aug. 28
Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Must be 21 to enter for all shows. Tickets start at $10 for Heart to Heart; $30 for Huey Lewis and Boz Skaggs; $35 for Boyz; and $45 for Hank Williams and The Band Perry.
