Good news, folks! Blues-rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd is returning to town for a show at the Sweetwater Performance Pavilion on Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m. 

This self-taught blues trailblazer has rocked his way to five Grammy nominations, millions of worldwide record sales, and the No. 1 spot on the blues and rock charts. 

His Fort Wayne stop is being hailed as his birthday celebration since he turns 45 years old the following day. 

Joining the party will be the talented Samantha Fish and blues singer Shemekia Copeland. Shepherd and Copeland collaborated on a song last year titled “Hit ’Em Back,” which also featured Robert Randolph on steel guitar and Tony Coleman on drums. Be sure to check that out if you have not already. 

Collective Soul, Switchfoot set for Wabash

After more than 25 years of success with hits like “Shine,” “December,” and “The World I Know,” Collective Soul is just getting started with the next phase of their thriving career that has seen them move millions of records and wow multitudes of fans across the globe. 

The band is teaming up with Grammy Award-winning Switchfoot this summer for a 40-plus date tour that has them on the road until September. 

Lucky for us, the tour makes a stop at the Honeywell Center on Sunday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 1, at 10a.m. at honeywellarts.org.

Musical acts lined up for Food Truck Nights

Union 12 in Columbia City has announced the music lineup for this summer’s Food Truck Nights. 

You will want to make sure to leave every Wednesday from May 18-Aug. 17 open for a variety of food trucks, local vendors, drink specials, and live music from some of the area’s elite, including Debutants on May 18, 906 Band on May 25, Chris Worth on June 1, Samuel Harness on June 8, Hubie Ashcraft on June 15, Roustabout on June 22, the Best Kept Secret on June 29, U.R.B. on July 6, Hubie Ashcraft on July 20, Under the Covers on July 27, Night to Remember on Aug. 3, Samuel Harness Aug. 10, and Unlikely Alibi on Aug. 17. 

Of course, these are free and open to all ages, running from 5:30-9:30 p.m. with music starting at 6:30 p.m. 

Union 12, 7563 E. Lincoln Way Road, is a privately owned event center on 20 acres near the Allen-Whitley county line.    

Packed night of tribute bands in Stan’s Room

We have come across a couple different Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath tribute bands over the years, and Friday, May 6, at 7 p.m. we can add another to the list. 

Stan’s Room inside Piere’s will be the place to be that evening when they welcome Killer of Giants: A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

Coming from Bloomington, Illinois, these cats are hailed as the absolute best Osbourne tribute act in the Midwest. 

Also performing will be American Idiots: Green Day Tribute out of Chicago, and Fort Wayne’s own Controller, To Breathe Again, and SODA (System of Dying Angels): System of a Down tribute band. 

Earth Day concert slated for Tiger Room

Coming off a packed house last weekend when local rising acts Loveseat!, Namen Namen, Swell Time, and the Namby Pamby hit the stage, The Tiger Room at Welch’s Ale House is set to rise to the occasion once again. 

The Calhoun Street venue will celebrate Earth Day on Friday, April 22, with the sonic sounds of indie rock from local stalwarts Middle Names, our own Latin/rock fusion act FUA, and Mike Adams At His Honest Weight out of Bloomington. 

The music begins at 9 p.m. with a $5 cover.  I expect another good showing that evening, so make sure to show up on time or you might be left waiting outside.