Local Band Wraps Up Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series

by Emma Palova....Lowell Ledger....September 1st, 2011

It was a rocky Summer Sizzlin’ Summer concert season. A season that started patriotic with the 64th Army Band and ended with local talent well known around West Michigan.

The Adams Family band with lead vocalist Cindy Adams Kropf closed the 2011 Sizzlin’ Summer concert series last Thursday on the Riverwalk stage. The concert ran into September due to rescheduling because of rain in June.

The band delivered their classy tunes from the 50’s and 60’s including folk, Doo-wop and classic rock.

“We’re not going away, we’re going to play all night,” Adams Kropf promised. And the band did play all the way into the dark without intermission.

Jerry Adams even made a lifelong dream come true. “I’ve always wanted to be an endman on the Showboat,” he said. “This is as close as I’m going to get.” So, he sang without any musical accompaniment “Old Man River,” to the complete delight of the crowd.

Adams Kropf performed hand jive with her hands to inspire those who did not want to get out of their chairs to dance.

Throughout the entire concert series, the dance floor was frequented by couples of all ages from young swing dancers to seasoned country line dancers during the “Stolen Horses” concert.

The weather played a major factor in this year’s concerts. The Riverwalk either blazed in heat, or soaked in rain.

But, the concerts were well attended by a faithful crowd ready to weather any storm, even on the night coinciding with the football game.

Other favorite bands that performed in the series were Thirsty Perch, The Trace, Tami Helm and MacNaughton Blvd., and the Grand Rapids Jazz Band.

The concerts are funded through the Downtown Development Authority.


But, the music is not yet over for this year. A full concert line up, including The Adams Family, is scheduled for the Fallasburg Fall Festival for the Arts on September 17th and 18th.

The Adams Family closes this year's Sizzlin' Summer Concerts.

Dancers hit the Riverwalk one last time.