Downtown Greer will once again play host to tropical breezes, cool refreshments, and beach music this summer, as “Tunes on Trade” and the encore season of “Greer Idol” are planned for six consecutive Friday evenings beginning June 20.

This year’s schedule includes a Fourth of July concert, expanding Independence Day entertainment options for Upstate residents.  The events, sponsored by the Greer Cultural Arts Council, are open to the public at no charge and shag lessons will be offered beginning at 6 p.m. — one hour before the start of each concert.

Band breaks will offer entertainment in the form of the wildly popular “Greer Idol,” which returns to showcase Upstate talent for a second season.

“You’d be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable way to kick off summer weekends than great beach music and a great Greer Station setting.  The bands featured in this year’s concerts are among the best in the Carolinas, and we had visitors coming to Greer last year solely for the ‘Greer Idol’ competition,” said Tonja Harrison, Interim Supervisor for Greer Cultural Arts. “Whether visitors want to dance the night away or simply settle into a beach chair and enjoy the music, ‘Tunes on Trade’ will have something for everyone.”

2008 Tunes on Trade Lineup

June 20            The Fantastic Shakers
June 27            The Coconut Groove
July 4               East Coast Band 
July 11             Jim Quick and Coastline Band           
July 18             Out-of-Towners
July 25             Sea Cruz


June 20

The Fantastic Shakers, twice recognized as show group of the year and celebrating their 30^th anniversary in 2008, will open the concert series.  Their hit single, "Myrtle Beach Days," catapulted The Shakers to the top of the Carolinas’ musical groups and the party atmosphere they create during concerts has earned the band, led by four-time male vocalist of the year Bo Schronce, a loyal following.

June 27

The Coconut Groove hits the stage to prove that Spartanburg bands can definitely generate a good time.  The group’s five members — Rick McClanahan, David Harper, John Harwell, Charlie Atwell, and Shawn Wilkes — offer a wide range of musical styles and a song list ranging from Jimmy Buffett to Jimi Hendrix.

July 4

Celebrate Independence Day with the Spartanburg based East Coast Band. Formed in 1982, the group has delivered one single, one album, three CDs, and landed two recordings on the John Hook Rhythm and Beach charts.

July 11

Jim Quick and Coastline Band from Wilmington, N.C., offer classic Southern soul, blues, and rock led by the inimitable vocals and humorous antics of lead singer Jim Quick, who has won more accolades than any other entertainer at the Carolina Music Awards. Representing Atlanta-based label Landslide Records, the band’s debut release, “Sweet ‘N’ Ripe,” hit stores in 2005.

July 18

Beach music ambassadors the Out-of-Towners return to “Tunes on Trade” to entertain the Upstate.  Formed in 2001 by three former members of Upstate beach music bands, the Out-of-Towners recently released their third CD, “Just Here Overnight.”

July 25

Honored in 2002 as the Carolina Beach Music Awards’ best new artist, Sea Cruz pairs Dino Fair, the award-winning instrumentalist formerly of the Fantastic Shakers, with Molly Askins, CBMA’s female vocalist of the year for five of the past six years.  Toss in Butch Barnes, formerly of The Band of Oz, and the result is a group that captured three Carolina Beach Music Awards in 2007.

For more information on the “Tunes on Trade” concert series, please visit www.greerculturalarts.com or call 848-5383.