Back in 1990, a group of music students at the University of Oregon put together a high-energy band that took some bluegrass, mixed in a little country, tossed in a dash of Motown, added some swing, and pretty soon they came up with the sound they were searching for.
The Sugar Beets were born.
Now, 36 years later, the Sugar Beets are still going strong, and they’re headlining this year’s Summer Concert Series at Springfield’s Island Park. The series starts on July 30, with Code Red, which plays a mix of rock, pop, and country cover songs.
Then on July 31, Skeletons from the Closet takes the stage, performing full sets from Grateful Dead concerts.
The Sugar Beets, featuring an eight-piece band, will play on Aug. 14.
The Cottage Grove concert series kicks off on June 10, with Rockin Rewind playing hits from the 60s and 70s. The theme for this year’s lineup could be “throwback,” as a few of the bands play older-style music.
Take, for example, the Blue Skies Big Band, which plays on July 1. Many recognize them as the best swing dance band in the Pacific Northwest. They’re a 17-piece band that plays Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington, and they promise to have the grass filled with dancers.
Likewise for Coupe de Ville, which has an amazing song repertoire, including hits by Elvis, the Everly Brothers, the Temptations, Roy Orbison, and Smokey Robinson.
But just like every year, organizers have come up with a good variety of artists. No matter what your taste is, there truly is something for everybody.
COTTAGE GROVE
At Bohemia Park (6:30 p.m.)
■ June 10: Rockin Rewind
■ June 17: Inner Limits
■ June 24: The Regulars
■ July 1: Blue Skies Big Band
■ July 8: Coupe de Ville
■ July 15: Floral HZ
■ July 22: Greg Nestler
■ July 29: The Huckleberrys
■ Aug. 5: The Luke Cole Band
■ Aug. 12: Andrei Andreev
■ Aug. 19: Bradly Shepherd’s Perfect Flavor
■ Aug. 26: RIFFLE
SPRINGFIELD
At Island Park (6 p.m.)
■ July 30: Code Red
■ July 31: Skeletons from the Closet
■ Aug. 6: EastSide AllStars
■ Aug. 7: Outlaw ‘Shine
■ Aug. 14: Sugar Beets
