Seven Stone Music lovers will have plenty of options for free live entertainment in the months ahead as Woodbridge rolls out its ever-growing summer concert series.
The first show is set for 7:30 p.m. June 18 at Parker Press Park, 400 Rahway Ave. The Tim Gillis Band, a country music outfit, will have the honor of kicking off the concert season as part of the Local Band Thursday lineup.
“We haven’t played [in Woodbridge] in a long time, and it’ll be fun to see all the people,” bandleader Tim Gillis said. “I’m looking forward to bringing country music back to the town.”
It has been about six years since the 11- piece band performed in the township.
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Gillis was stationed in New Jersey during his years in the Navy and later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, after scoring a record deal.
“Country music is America’s music. It’s storytelling music that talks about real life and tells stories that touch people’s hearts,” Gillis said.
Today, he and his band perform frequently at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton.
“I love Woodbridge because it’s central to everything. It’s a nice friendly town that has a lot to do and everything you need,” said Cathy Fitzpatrick, a Woodbridge native who joined the Tim Gillis Band as a vocalist six years ago.
Fitzpatrick said she first saw Tim Gillis play when she was 18 and was captivated by the performance.
“Two of his female singers left, and he called me at work and said, ‘Would you like to join the band? I know you’ve been wanting to join for 30 years.’ And I said, ‘Yes, I would be thrilled,’ ” Fitzpatrick said. “I learn from [the band members] every day because everybody is just so amazing and they’ve been playing and performing for years. I hope to make them as proud as they all make me.”
The Woodbridge concert schedule has been growing since its launch in 1999, drawing crowds of young and old to see all types of original and cover bands.
With the addition of a fifth series this year, Woodbridge will present a total of 50 shows before the autumn weather takes hold.
“There’s so much to do in Woodbridge, and [the concert] gives people a chance to enjoy something in town,” Mayor John Mc- Cormac said. The Monday Summer Concert Series will include music of the ’50s and ’60s and will be held outside Woodbridge High School on Samuel Lupo Place. The Duprees will open the series at 7:30 p.m. June 29. Highlights will include the Brooklyn Bridge on July 20 and the Fabulous Greaseband on July 27, and the series closes with the Infernos on Aug. 31.
A crowd of about 5,000 came out for last year’s performance by the Brooklyn Bridge, which has continued on since the death of its leader, Johnny Maestro.
“A lot of people had a special place in their heart for Johnny Maestro, and he had a very big following in our area,” said Brian Molnar, assistant director of recreation in Woodbridge.
Tuesday Tribute Bands will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Woodbridge High School, with tributes to the Beatles, Ray Charles, the Eagles and others. The series kicks off June 30 with the B Street Band, a Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tribute, and wraps with Abba Girlz on Sept. 1.
Woodbridge Wednesdays will bring a mix of musical genres to Parker Press Park at 7:30 p.m. The Quebe Sisters Band will lead off on June 24 and Kenny White will conclude the series on Sept. 2.
Local Band Thursdays will now be held at Tanzman Park on Pearl Street, across from the NJ Transit train station.
“We have some local bars that are sponsoring some of the shows this year, so it’s a chance for participants to walk up and buy drinks,” Molnar said. “We want to promote this park and change up the venue.”
In addition to the Tim Gillis Band, local bands set to perform at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays include The Saloonatics, Love Revolution, Seven Stone, 9 South, Smokehouse, Smoke n’ Mirrors, The Kickback Band, Smokin’ Catfish, Marty and the Martians, and City Hicks.
The newest concert series, Country Sundays, will be held at 6 p.m. at Parker Press Park. Eilen Jewel will open the series on July 12 and Girls, Guns and Glory will close it on Aug. 30.
Attendees of all Woodbridge concerts are asked to bring a box or can of food to stock the shelves of the township’s food pantries.
For more information about summer concerts, see the event listings at www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.