Windham Chamber of Commerce Music Concert Series

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - It doesn’t take a bunch of rocket scientists to figure out what sounds will come from Hillbilly Parade, the featured band at the maiden event of the Windham Chamber of Commerce Music Concert Series.

Four shows were announced by Chamber president Lisa Jaeger, last week, starting on June 13 at C.D. Lane Park, from 6 to 9 p.m.

That opening date will be followed by performances on July 11, August 8 and September 5, all with…wait for it…no charge for admission.

“We’re very excited about this and we hope everyone is as excited as we are,” Jaeger said during a Chamber meeting, last Thursday night.

“This is something we’ve been thinking about since Windham Mountain interrupted their concerts which were very popular.

“We wanted to do something for the whole community which is why we chose the park,” located in the Big Hollow valley, Jaeger said.

“It’s pretty far from downtown but there are public bathrooms and parking and a playground for the kiddos so the whole family can come.

“There will be delicious eats from local food trucks, lawn games, beautiful mountain views, great vibes and plenty of space to relax.

“We have everything we need to get this off the ground. We have a permit from the town and there will be local police onsite,” Jaeger said.

“We will be continuing music by the people for the people. There will be music, laughter and memories so bring your lawn chairs, your blankets, picnic baskets and your dancing shoes as we rock the Hollow.”

The one thing there won’t be is missile engineers, grabbing their computers and slide rules - slide rules? - to deduce the music that will be played.

Hillbilly Parade is a pop-rock country party band, established in 2014,” according to their website.

The country-bumpkin cavalcade, “has become one of the most sought after Top 40 Country Cover Bands in the Hudson Valley,” the website states.

They are in demand, “playing more than 250 shows a year including private parties and weddings with a collective 30 plus years of experience in music; both live performance and professional training.

“Most known for their witty stage humor, line dancing and their high energy tuneful sets, Hillbilly Parade is sure to get any crowd’s attention,” doing hoedowns, corporate functions, weddings, etc.

“Hillbilly Parade isn't just your regular cover band. They've walked on stage before notable acts like Rodney Atkins, Eric Paslay, and Jerrod Nieman, striving to be more than just background music,” their website states.

Jaeger noted the Chamber continues being productive, hosting their annual Maple Fest pancake breakfast fundraiser at Christman’s Windham House, in February, benefitting Windham-Ashland-Jewett student scholarships.

They are also having their Cabin Fever Dance on May 2 at the Windham Country Club with a DJ spinning ‘80’s tunes.

Not that anyone asked, especially anyone in the Chamber, but just in case they are needed, there is a band named the Rocket Scientists.

Of course there is. They are a progressive rock band formed in the late 1980’s, releasing albums such as “Supernatural Highways” (2014), “Earthbound” (1993) and “Oblivion Days” (1999).