Drive-in concerts popular in time of COVID-19

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

That’s the mantra of musicians, bands and concert promoters this summer as the coronavirus pandemic forces the cancellation of numerous tours, performances and music festivals.

Not to be deterred, the summer’s newest music trend has taken hold: the drive-in concert.

Featuring bands and solo artists performing on stage in remote locations, the concert is filmed and broadcast either locally or nationwide to hundreds of drive-in movie screens, where music fans can enjoy the performance from the safety of their cars.

Artists who have already performed drive-in concerts this summer include Garth Brooks, Los Lobos, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson and Keith Urban.

Upcoming drive-in concerts include performances by Night Ranger and The Struts.

Country music superstar Blake Shelton will headline tonight’s “Drive-In Nights” concert series, performing with Gwen Stefani and Trace Adkins.

The performance will be broadcast at approximately 300 drive-in theaters across the country and can be seen locally at the Brownsville Drive-In in Fayette County and the Evergreen Drive-In Theatre in Mt. Pleasant.

Eighty Four resident and Ringgold High School graduate Davey Le’Strange, bassist with bands The Strangers and The Shady Mugs, said he’s not surprised drive-in concerts are the hit of the summer.

“The patrons are suffering, too,” said Le’Strange, who has shared the stage with the likes of Pat Travers, Ted Nugent, Molly Hatchet and George Thorogood. “There are die-hard fans who have to have music in their life.”

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