Wow, summer is going by so fast. We're already into the last part with only August and September concerts left.

Mary Wilson's concert this past Saturday was amazing. The evening began with a wind and rain storm that delayed the concert for about 20 min with everyone getting wet. When it did begin, Junior Hubrick opened on the accordian (yes, his claim to fame is a "nerdy accordian player"). Ever heard classical music played polka style? We'll, if you missed this concert you missed a musical treat that was a real crowd pleaser.

About 9:00 pm, Mary Wilson came out in a beautiful black sequined gown with a red flowing jacket, singing a medley of the Supremes' hits including "Baby Love". The temprature was nice throughout the concert with a breeze that continued the entire night. At one point Ms. Wilson invited the women in the audience to come on stage and fulfill their dream of becoming a Supreme. Even more Supreme songs were performed including "Stop in the Name of Love". Despite the rain that greeted the evening, Mary Wilson gave a great concert and the audience stayed and loved it all.

This weekend we have Amphitheater favorite Peter Breinholt on Friday and country music legend Hal Ketchum on Saturday. Peter celebrates 15 years of making music with this CD release concert. His newest CD "The Best of Peter Breinholt" showcases his favorite songs in new arrangements and recordings. Come out and celebrate with Peter.

Hal Ketchum brings to the stage over 15 top-ten hits, including "Small Town Saturday Night", "I know Where Love Lives", "I Miss my Mary" and "Satisfied Minds". Ketchum's has been called "the most effervecent voice in country music". Get your tickets now for a weekend of great entertainment.

The entertainment has been non-stop at the Amphitheater this week.  Two different rentals (the Conservative Caucus and IATE University's Trails of Faith), a talent contest (Star  of  the  West) and three national headliners have made for a very busy week at the Sandy Amphitheater.

On Tuesday Night "American Idol" finalist, Phil Stacey, opened for Sawyer Brown.  Phil Stacey proved why his new CD is doing so well as he performed as a trio showcasing great vocals and really solid song writing skills.  His opening set produced a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd.  The long line of folks looking to purchase a CD and get an autograph speak well for the future of this up-and-comer.

Then Sawyer Brown took the stage.  Perhaps "took" isn't the right word.  More like Sawyer Brown tore up the stage, launching into a non-stop tour de force of music, energy, entertainment and dance.  This easily was one of the all time top concert events at the Sandy Amphitheater.

Thursday night continued the "American Idol" theme with another finalist Kellie Pickler.  She showed why she won three CMA fan based awards with her winning charm and instant rapport with the audience.  Her music reflects her personal life and, in her own words, was about "being real".

On the downside her sound engineer struggled at times to keep everything in check often pushing to volume too much causing distortion to Kellie's voice and losing her in the mix, but she left the audience on their feet wanting more.

Saturday night, Mary Wilson of the Supremes will bring her amazing vocals to the Amphitheater.  We are very excited for the show and hope that you will be there to hear all the great hits of the Supremes and music from the likes of Tina Turner, Mick Jagger and more.

Just a note.  Every national act that performed at the Amphitheater this week, and this season come to think of it, has taken the time to stop their show to comment about the beauty of the Amphitheater and hoped that we weren't taking it for granted.  We don't take it for granted and are grateful every time we bring people there to either  perform or enjoy a performance that Sandy City built such an amazing facility.  We hope to see you there soon.

Richard Marx landed at the Sandy Amphitheater Saturday, July 28 to a very enthusiastic crowd. And he didn't disappoint them. He came out saying "I can smell you love yourself some 80s music" and the crowd went wild.

Richard gave a full two-hour concert with all his old stuff, some of his new stuff and telling the audience some great stories. My favorite new song is his "In My Veins", I believe that's the name, which begins as a ballad and ends on a rocking high note. Way to go Richard! After a short intermission he came back on stage and said he couldn't believe the view of the Wasatch Mountains and hoped that we didn't take them for granted.

I had people tell me they had seen Richard in concert 2 or 3 times in the last year and were thrilled that he was in Sandy. And now I see why. This was my first Richard Marx concert, but it won't be my last.

Friday night was amazing!  It felt so good to have the Amphitheater up and running again.  May was full of great events from around our community like Mountain West Ballet's "Frog Prince" and many great dance recitals from our local dance studios.  But June 6th was our first concert of the Zions Bank, Sandy Amphitheater 2008 Summer Series and Ryan Shupe was on his game.

It's crazy to think that just 6 days before the concert he had an appendectomy and there he was jumping and running around the stage and doing their classic "choreography".

It was a CD release party, and the new CD, "Last Man Standing" didn't disappoint.  Great new songs with that classic RubberBand feel.  The line to buy the CDs and get autographs wound its way around the building.  The band stayed to sign, talk and laugh with every last fan.

One highlight of the night came when Shupe and the boys surprised those seated on the lawn by coming out into the audience and performing three songs from the top of the sound bunker.  Another had to be when Ryan Tilby (the bass player) played the banjo with Banjo Boy, Craig Miner!  Show me any other band that has that kind of talent where the bass player can actually play "Dueling Banjos" and give Craig Miner a run for his money.

The weather was great.  A nice cool evening and the sunset was spectacular!  It's great to work at a venue that has so much to offer both the audience and the artist.  The new parking lot is a great asset and as the new park takes shape it will be the icing on the cake.

We have already moved in the set for "Ragtime" in Concert.  I saw a rehearsal last week and the cast is amazing.  Beautiful voices singing a sweeping, epic score.  It's a powerful story that will move you.  Ragtime is about the early struggles of America working through race relations, the coming of the immigrants and the industrial age.  Based on the book "Ragtime" by E. L. Doctorow it's based on the true story of Coalhouse Walker and incoporates many key figures from history like Booker T. Washington, Henry Houdini, Emma Goldman, JP Morgan and Henry Ford.  I hope you'll come see the show.

Now that the Sandy Amphitheater season has officially begun, we're launching a blog to review and talk about the concerts. This blog will give you an opportunity comment and give your insights on the concerts. It will give you a place to voice your excitement and to let us know what you liked about the experience!