Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center is pleased to announce the return of its popular Sweet Summer Concert Series. The four-concert series, which begins Saturday with a performance by Jonell Mosser and Friends, takes place beneath the stars on the lawn of beautiful Monthaven mansion. These heavenly performances promise to give new meaning to the term “celestial music.”
“The MACC is thrilled to provide Sumner County with this fun summer soundtrack,” says Executive Director Cheryl Strichik. “Our inaugural series last summer was a huge success. And we expect the second edition of the series to be another hit, especially with great artists like Jonell Mosser returning to our summer stage.”
A fixture of the Nashville club scene for more than 30 years, Mosser has earned rave reviews for her versatile style. She has a voice that can belt like Janis Joplin one minute, and then convey the finesse of folk, jazz and Southern soul the next. Those qualities have made her one of Nashville’s most in-demand session artists.
Over the years, she has provided backup vocals for the likes of B.B. King, Trisha Yearwood, Etta James, Wynonna Judd (on the hit “No One Else on Earth”), Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Waylon Jennings, Patty Smyth, A.J. Croce, and Bruce Cockburn on his popular song “Last Night of the World.”
Cole Ritter and the Night Owls made a big impression during the inaugural series last summer. They return to the MACC’s summer stage on June 24. Founded in 2019, Cole Ritter and the Night Owls has pioneered a new sonic space, creating along the way a unique homegrown style.
The award-winning band is led by Cole Ritter, a Sumner County native best known for his appearance on the American Idol TV series. Among its many distinctions, Cole Ritter and the Night Owls was chosen as the winner of Belmont University’s “Country Showcase” in 2020. The award drew attention to Ritter’s songwriting skills, which find inspiration from such genres as country, rock, folk and blues.
Monthaven gets down and bluesy on July 22 with the arrival of the terrific blues guitarist Stacy Mitchhart. This amazing artist, with his foot-stomping style, has built a worldwide fan base thanks to his phenomenal live performances, national television exposure and frequent radio airplay.
His masterful guitar work and strong vocals have been the driving forces behind his successful career. He took up residency as the house musician for the hugely popular Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Nashville in 1996. Today, he actively tours the United States and the World.
Summer comes to a rousing musical conclusion on August 19 with a performance by Super Honk. A Nashville-based blues band, Super Honk pays homage to the blues legends of old, icons who created a style that has influenced generations of musicians. From Muddy Waters to Robert Johnson, Super Honk plays it all, and their tower-of-power style is guaranteed to have music fans dancing the night away.
The MACC’s Sweet Summer Concert Series is sponsored by Tennessee Honey Festival and Center Point Liquor. Performances begin promptly at 7 p.m., so music fans are encouraged to arrive early to set up their lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Food trucks and beverage tents are available to provide refreshments.
Admission to this amazing series is free.