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Friday, Jun. 13, 2008

SummerFest rises again

B93 concert favorite returns

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One of the Central Valley's former rites of summer is back.

The B93.1 FM SummerFest show returns after a two-year hiatus. The popular outdoor family-friendly music festival is Saturday at John Thurman Field.

"People are definitely excited to have it back," said Tammy Cruise, of B93.1 FM's Cruise 'N' Good. "We'd like people to know we're back, B93 is back doing music and back on track."

Performing will be nationally established and up-and-coming artists, as well as local openers.

Headlining will be Train frontman Pat Monahan. Also performing will be Augustana, Matt Nathanson, Kate Voegele, Ben Jelen, Thriving Ivory and Echo Jet. Opening will be Modesto bands Sapo Sueño and The Kinzie Affair.

San Diego-based indie rock outfit Augustana played the B93.1 FM Acoustic Christmas show in December 2006. The band's singles include "Boston," "Sweet and Low" and "Stars and Boulevards." The five-piece group's latest CD, "Can't Love, Can't Hurt," came out in April.

Bay Area-based Nathanson is an area favorite. He has played Acoustic Christmas shows, as well as other area events. He released his sixth studio album, "Some Mad Hope," last year. Its singles include "Car Crash" and "Come On Get Higher."

Twenty-three year-old singer/songwriter Voegele is one of the roster of artists on new MySpace Records. The Ohio native released her debut album, "Don't Look Away," last year. This year, she began a recurring guest-star role on the teen drama "One Tree Hill" as Mia, a young singer and keyboardist.

Scottish-born singer Jelen went to high school in Texas and New Jersey. His 2007 release, "Ex-Sensitive," carries his environmentally conscious message. Jelen, who earned his biology degree from Rutgers, started the The Ben Jelen Foundation this year to raise money for environmental causes.

San Francisco-based Thriving Ivory and Los Angeles-based Echo Jet are newcomers to the national scene. Thriving Ivory has just been named a VH1 "You Oughta Know" artist of the month behind its single "Angels on the Moon." Echo Jet, formerly Swirl 360, released its self-titled debut this week.

Cruise said she hopes to revive SummerFest's reputation as one of the valley's premier music events.

"We wanted to re-establish the radio station and the festival," she said. "Plus, it's been a crummy year for people in general, so we wanted to do a good thing for the area so people could come for a day and have a nice show for a reasonable price."

Most of the artists will be available for autographs after the show in a signing booth for fans. VIP tickets also are available for $50. They include no-wait entry, choice of lunch, artist signing, shaded seating areas and more.

All festivalgoers are encouraged to bring sunblock and sun gear, towels and blankets and one sealed water bottle per person. No other outside food or drink is allowed, nor are chairs, umbrellas or baby strollers.