Oakland Main Street and the Town of Oakland recently announced the 2008 summer schedule of The Little Yough Summer Music Festival.

The concert series, long a local favorite, has been expanded to ten Friday performances. The series begins on Friday, June 20th and will continue every Friday through August 29 (with the exception of July 4th). These concerts, which highlight both local and national performers, was begun in 1996 by a group of local volunteers. It has grown from a small weekly group of concert goers to attendance of over 1000. Each concert begins at 7:00 PM and is free to the public. Concert goers are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair as seating is limited. Refreshments are available for sale. The concerts take place at the Mountain Fresh Pavilion in downtown Oakland, next to the Little Youghiogheny “Yough” River.

On Friday, June 27th the Hillbilly Gypsies take the stage. The West Virginia string band specializes in playing their own homegrown style of Appalachian old-time music with a hard-drivin’ bluegrass sound. In addition to playing original music, the Hillbilly Gypsies play an eclectic mix of traditional and quite often, not-so-traditional bluegrass standards as well as catchy old fiddle tunes.

On Friday, July 11, Karen Collins and the Backroads Band will perform. One of the Washington, DC area’s top retro honky-tonk bands, The Backroads Band plays classic country music like it was played back in the day. In no time at all, they’ll have you out on the dance floor doing a boot scootin’ two-step or snuggling up close for a buckle polishing slow tune. Their sound is vintage country from the 1940s to the 1970s plus original roots songs written in that early country style. Enjoy fine music from the area's hottest bands

The band Swingtime will appear on Friday, July 18th. Swingtime is a “big band” consisting of sax, full brass, and rhythm sections as well as a vocalist. Primarily a swing band, their playlist includes those classics as well as smooth jazz, ballads, waltzes, big band favorites, and tunes from Broadway. So break out your dancin’ shoes and get ready to jitterbug, jump around, cut loose and go crazy!

Hold on to your hat! The perennial favorite Dennis McClung Blues Band returns to the Little Yough stage on Friday, July 25. Hailing from nearby Fairmont, WV, the Dennis McClung Blues Band provides a hard-driving sound that will get you dancing. One publication described their music as “tasty blues, served up hot and intense!” The energy produced at one of their concerts would be enough to light up all of Garrett County.

It’s Party Time! On Friday, August 1^st, Raddy’s New Orleans Second Line Band will have you dancing to great New Orleans sounds along with world music like Latin, Salsa and more.

On Friday, August 8th, National Road will perform. An acoustic roots-music band based in Frostburg, Maryland, the band is made up of the following instruments: vocals and guitar; mandolin and fiddle; resonator guitar and bass; and dobro. Although the band has only been playing together for the past year, the four members have extensive experience on the Western Maryland music scene. The members of the group have played in such local acts as The Cadillac Cowboys, Parhelion, and Miller’s Wheel. National Road delivers a unique variety of music including bluegrass, country, classic rock, and Americana. Their set list includes songs by The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Flatt and Scruggs, and Ledbelly. The band also plays a number of original songs which appear on their debut CD.

Queen City Funk & Soul, a Cumberland based rhythm and blues soul band will be performing on Friday, August 15. The popular group play a variety of great soul, funk and R&B favorites from the 1960’s and ‘70s. This band presents a high energy package of dance and party music with strong vocals and exciting instrumental soloists. The group’s repertoire includes music from Sam and Dave Wilson; Earth, Wind and Fire; Al Jarreau; Stevie Wonder; and Steely Dan.

On Friday, August 22, Nashville recording artists The Davison Brothers Band play their remarkable blend of country, southern-rock and bluegrass. These talented young musicians with their unique musical style are making their way playing over 250 shows a year at festivals, theatres and restaurants as well as lending their talents to fundraising in their hometown of Clarksburg, WV.

The season closes once again with hometown favorite, The Remedy. What can you say about The Remedy? What can’t you say about The Remedy? Every positive adjective known to the music world has been used to describe Garrett County’s own phenomenal oldies band that each year wraps up the Little Yough Summer Music Festival.

So mark you calendars and call your friends! Schedule Fridays this summer at Little Yough...a unique and fun way to spend a warm summer evening. For more information contact Jack L. Cougle - Oakland Main Street Manager at 301-334-5095