Shemekia Copeland To Headline Riverbend Live Friday With Local Musicians Opening The Night

WINSTON, Ore. - Riverbend Live! continues its 30th anniversary season Friday, July 3, with a powerful night of blues, soul, gospel, rock and Americana at Riverbend Park.

This week’s headliner is Shemekia Copeland, a multi-GRAMMY-nominated blues vocalist known for a voice that is both commanding and deeply soulful. Copeland has built an international reputation as one of the leading voices in modern blues and roots music, with songs that can move from hard-hitting and honest to joyful, sharp and full of humor.

Before Copeland takes the stage, the evening will open with a special local collaboration being called “One Night Only.” The group brings together five local musicians: Dawn Day, Neil Gregory Johnson, Brian Dean, T-Bone Stone and Thomas Whiteside.

The opening set is expected to begin around 6:45 p.m. and continue until just before 7:30 p.m., when crews will make the band changeover before Copeland’s performance.

Brian Dean, a Caribbean-based singer and songwriter, is known for turning real-life stories into music with a mix of humor, observation and artistic license. His background includes performances with country greats Tammy Wynette and Steve Wariner, along with recognition from the Nashville Songwriters Association International as “One To Watch.”

T-Bone Stone brings deep blues experience to the lineup, with a resume that includes appearances at major blues venues and festivals, along with performances alongside a long list of blues artists.

The one-night-only opening act should give the evening a strong local flavor before Copeland brings her nationally recognized sound to the Riverbend stage.

Riverbend Live! concerts are held at the Riverbend Park Outdoor Amphitheater in Winston. The summer series is free to attend, though donations are accepted to help keep the long-running community tradition going.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Outside food and picnics are welcome, and food and beverage vendors are expected to be available during the evening. Pets and smoking are not allowed inside the venue area.

Friday’s concert is part of Riverbend Live!’s 30th anniversary season, which continues through Aug. 1 with tribute music, blues, cowboy poetry, western music and youth theater performances.