Leno, Frankie Ballard start and end big beach holiday lineup
The Fourth of July will take place on Tuesday this year, which means many tourists will arrive early, stay late and make a weeklong vacation out of it. When they get here, local business owners will have full slates of live entertainment waiting for them.
In Selbyville, the Freeman Stage at Bayside has concerts geared toward a wide variety of tastes.
Former Tonight Show funny man Jay Leno will bring his comedy stylings to the stage on Friday, June 30 ($55 to $100). Legendary R&B vocal group The O'Jays will showcase its catalog of hits Saturday, July 1 ($50 to $75). A double bill of country music featuring Dustin Lynch and Granger Smith is set for Thursday, July 6 ($45 to $75). All shows begin at 7 p.m.
The Bottle & Cork nightclub in Dewey Beach is in full swing with its summer concert series, but it's a new addition to the calendar that is drawing the most attention this week.
Tickets go on Friday, June 30 for an appearance by country star Jake Owen which will take place Thursday, July 20 ($50). The Cork's owners will present a full fireworks display over the bay on Tuesday, July 4; that night will also see the return of alternative rockers Fuel ($25).
On Wednesday, July 5, indie-rock group The Hip Abduction will play a free concert. Country crooner Frankie Ballard will return on Thursday, July 6 ($25). Doors open at 9 p.m. for all of these general admission shows.
Another post-fireworks music event takes place in downtown Ocean City on Tuesday. Pickles Pub will present a reggae-rock double bill featuring Pasadena and Bond & Bentley and admission is free.
Elsewhere in Ocean City, country favorite Sam Grow will play the Cowboy Coast Saloon on Sunday, July 2 ($10). The venue, which celebrates its fourth anniversary this summer, is planning its heaviest lineup of concerts yet — and we'll have much more information about that in the weeks ahead.
The Milton Theatre will swing to the sounds of Tennessee alt-bluegrass act Forlorn Strangers at 8 p.m., Sunday, July 2 ($15 to $25). The group started as a local supergroup in its home city of Nashville, as all five members are singer-songwriters who contribute to the band's original repertoire.
E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
This Week's Must-See List
The O'Jays at the Freeman Stage at Bayside in Selbyville at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 1. $50 to $75
Forelorn Strangers at the Milton Theatre at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 2. $15 to $25
Sam Grow at Cowboy Coast Saloon in Ocean City at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 2. $10
Pasadena with Bond & Bentley at Pickles Pub in Ocean City at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Free
Frankie Ballard at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 6. $25
