The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce this week announced the lineup for the 2018 July Jamz, with a different musical genre featured in an outdoor concert each week of July.

“The wanted to bring different genres to July Jamz,” Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said. “When considering our artists, tried to bring four very different groups.”

July Jamz is held on Thursday nights on the lawn of Springdale. Area residents are invited to bring their lawn chairs or blankets to the free outdoor events.

The season will open on Thursday, July 5, with Willie Sugarcapps, a group new to July Jamz.

“This is a collaborative group of musicians who have all published albums,” Duffy said. “Grayson Capps is originally from Brewton; Will Kimbrough is currently touring with and opening for Emmylou Harris; Sugarcane Jane is the husband-wife duo of Anthony and Savana Lee Crawford; and Corky Hughes rounds out the group.”

The group’s genre is blues/rock and Americana.

Genre is blues/rock/Americana.

Duffy said she found the group while scouting talent at the Songwriter’s Festival in Seaside.

Charity Bowden, a candidate on “The Voice” in 2016, will open for Willie Sugarcapps. Her genre is classic country.

Opp native and Nashville recording artist Martin McDaniel will be back for the July 12 event.

“He was wildly popular last year,” Duffy said. “The board really wanted to see him back.”

Local artist Connor Sowards has put together a band called The Final Hours to open for McDaniel.

Also back in Andalusia by popular demand will be Stanford Barnes and Soulful Saints on July 19. Barnes, who is a Brantley native, entertained at the Chamber of Commerce banquet earlier this year.

“We’ve had many requests for him to come back,” Duffy said. “His blues and soul was very popular.”

Jamal Curry, who performs gospel, will open for Barnes.

 

Also returning to the event are Kenny Heard and Issues, who will perform on July 26. Heard, a Covington County native who also bills himself as “Kenny on the Keys,” works the music industry from Auburn, and is a former member of Issues.

“Scott Rogers and Phillip McClung will probably bring out multiple local musicians to perform with them,” Duffy said.

Jeff Sellers will open for the group.

While adults may attend July Jamz for the music, it’s no secret that children go for the fun of playing in the foam machine. It’s back this year, Duffy said, but the Chamber is working with the city to also add showers so parents can rinse the suds from their children before taking them home.

Also new to the event is a patio for those with mobility issues that make it difficult for them to navigate to the lawn of Springdale. The tented patio – sponsored by Samurai – will be set up on the concrete base that holds the ice skating rink for Candyland

“We’ll have a nice, shady tent and chairs set up for those who need extra help,” Duffy said.

A number of food and drink vendors have already committed to sell foods ranging from sausage dogs to boiled peanuts and cotton candy.

Title sponsors for the four concerts are Samaurai Japanese Steakhouse, Walt Massey Automotive, Zaxby’s, and Andalusia Health. Other sponsorships are still available.

The event also has its own website now, julyjamz.com.