Straighten Up & Fly Right to the Eagle Summer Concert Series

Crosby Stills & Nash- June 10th
Lyle Lovette & His Large Band- July 15th
Steve Miller Band- Aug 12th
John Prine- Aug 21st

“Teach your children well”

comes from the lyrics to a favorite song by Crosby, Stills and Nash.  The advice is appropriate if you have to turn lemons into lemonade, and that’s just what some local developers did when the real estate market crashed.  Their proposed 25-acre housing development next to the Boise River now will become an outdoor music pavilion featuring top attractions.

“We’re turning a negative into a positive,” says Shannon Cook, CEO of Land of Rock, a new local company that will organize and promote concerts in distressed real estate markets.  “The scenic venue next to Merrill Park provides the perfect location for a temporary outdoor concert area that we’re calling the Eagle River Pavilion.”

Cook is one of the developers of The Lofts which was approved for 200 condos and town homes. After the building market collapsed, Cook and his partner Creston Thorton debated unique ways to bring immediate income and an attractive amenity to the vacant piece of property. With toes tapping and ideas tumbling in their minds, they decided to fill the air with music.

The Eagle Arts Commission is presenting the summer concert schedule.

Crosby, Stills and Nash is the premiere group to open the series. They perform on June 10, and tickets prices range from $49.50 for the lawn area to $99.50 for reserved seating.  Organizers anticipate from 1,500 to 4,000 will attend. The summer schedule also includes Lyle Lovett and His Large Band on July 15, the Steve Miller Band on August 12, and John Prine on August 21. According to Cook, eight concerts are planned for this summer, and the goal is to have from ten to twelve concerts each summer until the real estate market improves.

Music lovers will appreciate the extra amenities that come with the Pavilion. The location is close to the Greenbelt, so people can walk and bike to the area. Local
restaurants include Bardenay, Cool Hand Luke’s, Mai Thai and the Great American Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn.  Merrill Park features picnic tables, a tot lot, and a water feature for kids. A portable stage will be hauled in for every concert, and about 100 employees will be hired for each event.

By June, local residents will be humming lyrics from “Love the one you’re with” from Crosby, Stills and Nash.  By August, the tune will change to “Fly like an eagle” from the Steve Miller Band.
Everyone is encouraged to sing the immortal words of John Prine, “Be my friend tonight,” and enjoy the musical festivities during a fun summer in Eagle.