By Paul Leach
Correspondent
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — As Cleveland’s Evening Shade Concerts begin the 16th season Friday, organizers want to make the event a habit for local residents.
“We want people to say, ‘I need to go to the park every Friday night in May,'” said Kyle Elrod, chairman of the Allied Arts Council of the Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s season kicks off with headliner Craig Fuller, a singer/songwriter in the band Pure Prairie League, which had a hit in the 1970s with the song “Amie.” Olta, a traditional Celtic band from Chattanooga, will open the show.
The free concerts, presented by the Allied Arts Council, take place each Friday in May at Johnston Park. Other acts this year include R&B act Jay & the Techniques and Christian artist Russ Lee, a member of the band New Song and a Cleveland native.
Mr. Elrod, who books the talent for the shows that draw crowds of up to 600, said the job requires planning, money and hard work.
“We begin work on next year’s events as soon as we wrap up the current series,” he said. “I love talking to people and the bands.”
Some former guest artists have helped him find other acts for Evening Shade, Mr. Elrod said.
“Henry Gross is a great guy and very helpful,” he said. “Leon Redbone’s management recently helped us to find talent for this year’s Evening Shade.”
While the concerts are free to the public, they do require funding, Connie Gatlin said.
IF YOU GOWhat: Evening Shade Concert SeriesWhen: 6:30 p.m. every Friday in MayWhere: Johnston Park, Cleveland, Tenn.; shows are held in the Arnold Elementary School auditorium in case of inclement weatherCost: Free
“Evening Shade receives grant money from the Tennessee Arts Commission, but the Allied Arts Council must match every grant dollar we receive,” said Ms. Gatlin, chairwoman for the Evening Shade Committee. “We have to submit budgets detailing every check we spend for the events. We have to be meticulous.”
The concert series also receives sponsorship from local businesses.
“Evening Shade is important,” said Ms. Gatlin, who has served the concert series since its conception in the mid-1990s. “I firmly believe that music and the arts are important to the community. We need things like this.”
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. E-mail him at paulrleach3@gmail.com.