Charlie Parr Live - Silver Bay Music in the Park

Charlie Parr, an Austin, MN native, is well known for his head noddin', foot-stompin' blues music. His local popularity combined with the warm, dry weather on Friday, July 14, brought out concertgoers from all age groups to the 2023 season kickoff of the Silver Bay Music In The Park Concert Series, presented by Rocky Wall Productions.

Visitors and locals came from nearby North Shore communities to enjoy a night of music, dancing, and camaraderie. One Grands Marais local noted that the turnout seemed higher than usual. Nelson French, President of Rocky Wall Productions, estimated that there were around 1,000 people in attendance, which was almost 200 more than in 2022 when Parr performed.

Parr played a nearly 90-minute set of his handwritten blues songs and finished with a few covers from other artists. After a standing ovation, Parr set down his guitar and encored "Ain't No Grave" by Claude Ely. The crowd followed the rhythm of Parr's electric kick drum as he showed off his strong vocals to end the night.

By Tryg Solberg for Boreal Community Media - July 17, 2023