Photos by Catherine Stachowiak
Bringing some country music to the valley, Friday August 2, the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation held its first night of the River Rhythms Concert Series, at Circle Park in Kernville. Julia Lyons was the first concert this summer. And the park lawn was full with concertgoers anticipating her vocals.
There will be several shows to follow, which the foundation promises to feature, every Friday through the end of August. The shows will include Rockslide, Left Coast Groovies, and Angels Roost.
After holding a small prayer circle with her band members, before the concert country singer, song-writer, and guitarist Julia Lyons told the Kern Valley Sun, “We definitely put God first before anything and especially in our music. He blessed us with that so you might as well give it back to Him. I think He inspires my music but also the direction. Jesus is such an important person in my life, so pretty much anything He says goes. So music, family, friends, He inspires pretty much everything.”
Lyons’ band includes her brother who is the fiddle player, and a couple of her friends on keyboard and drums. Lyons was very happy to be performing that evening. She said, “It’s exciting. We have some fun songs too.”
On behalf of the foundation, Orion Sanders said, “It’s great to have everybody out. Kern Valley Hospital Foundation putting it on, River Rhythms. Like last year Charlie’s still looking over us, so it’s all-good. You guys are going to get a big treat today, some great California country.”
Sanders said Lyons put together her own band, and young in her craft, the performer would be going back to Nashville in about 12 days to cut some additional recordings.
Sanders also said he was putting out a “shout out” to all the fire fighters. He also expressed pride and appreciation to all the fire fighting agencies keeping the public safe during the recent wildfires.
“Tonight River Rhythms is sponsored by Quality Home Services,” Sanders said.
Lyons said, “It is my pleasure and my joy to bring my band up here. We are so excited. We have some fun songs for you.”
