TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Gus and Val Caylor recently announced the 2024 lineup for the Gazebo Nights concerts at Normal Park in Merrill, also known as Thorogood Thursdays in honor of the event’s annual sponsor, Thorogood/Weinbrenner Shoe Company of Merrill.
“This year will be by far the largest budget ever for the seven shows held over eight weeks,” Gus said. Area businesses sponsor the concerts and opening acts, and fundraisers held at each event help generate funds for area non-profit organizations. Each Thursday one or more non-profits operate the concession stand, sell popcorn, or otherwise raise funds, and a 50/50 raffle is typically also held to generate funds for a specific charity each week.
“Last year the community returned nearly $20,000 to local non-profits as they enjoyed some of the best music from the hottest bands in Wisconsin,” Gus said.
The 2024 lineup for Gazebo Nights concerts will kick off on Wednesday, July 11, 2024, with BMAC, Brian McLaughlin performing. “As he continues on his farewell tour, Brian brings three decades of music to the Gazebo including pop, top 40, rock, oldies, and country music,” he said.
The following week on Thursday, July 18, attendees will be singing the blues in Normal Park “with the return of Rev. Raven and the Chain-Smoking Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy,” Gus said. “The Rev has been playing the blues since he heard Freddy King playing at the Kinetic Theatre in his native Chicago. Now over 50 years later, he has played with some of the best and will bring his great sounds to the Gazebo.”
On July 25, the Glam Band from the Fox Valley, one of the most in-demand bands in Wisconsin, will bring 1980’s rock to Merrill. “The passion and spirit they bring to the stage is unmatched when it comes to the costuming, hair, and makeup of the 80’s glam metal era,” Gus said. “Anyone with appreciation of 80’s rock will love this group and their energetic interaction with the crowd.”
August sweeps in as one of the hottest months of the year, and Rising Phoenix will keep the heat turned up in Normal Park with their hard-hitting rock performance on August 1. “Known as Wisconsin’s favorite 80’s party rock band, Rising Phoenix is the reigning Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) People’s Choice Award winner for 2023. Rising Phoenix is one of the best attended concerts of the year,” he said.
The Lincoln County Fair will take place the following week, so there will be no concert in the Normal Park Gazebo on August 8. The Caylors encourage everyone in the area to head down to the Merrill Fair Grounds to enjoy the sounds and sights, tastes and scents, and fun of the annual county fair.
Thorogood Thursday Gazebo Nights return on Thursday, August 15, with the band, Andy Z and the Spankin’ Monkees. “Andy and his troop will be playing everything from rock to blues to rockabilly music,” Gus said. Prior to the main event, the Northwoods Bassist will open the evening starting at 5:00 p.m.
On August 22, Merrill will be kicking it up country style. Still Reckless, winners of the 2022 Hodag Pickoff Band Contest, will make their Gazebo debut in Merrill. “They are one of the hottest bands around, and we are proud that they are spending a night with us at the Gazebo,” Gus said. “Opening act at 5 p.m. is our own Carl Jackson.”
As has become tradition, Copper Box will wrap up the Gazebo Nights season with the final concert on August 29. “Danny and Michelle and the gang will be here to play us out for yet another year,” Gus said. “The Northwoods Bassist opens things up at 5 p.m.”
For complete information about each weekly concert, sponsors, non-profit organizations raising funds each Thursday, and more, go to the Gazebo Nights at Normal Park Facebook page and click on the events tab.