Published: August 02, 2008 09:50 pm         

Keyser to revive Friday Nite Live for rest of month

Councilman sees what similar event has meant to Cumberland

KEYSER, W.Va. — Music will once again fill the air in downtown Keyser on Friday evenings, as the city’s Friday Nite Live programs are revived for three weekends in August.

Councilman Dave Sowers, who started the program last year with the assistance of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, announced last week bands will play on Main Street on Aug. 15, 22 and 29.

“Main Street will be blocked off from Center Street to Armstrong, and we’ll have two bands each Friday,” he said.

Scheduled to perform Aug. 15 is Take Two, who plays what Sowers calls music that would be enjoyed “by those 35 years old and up,” and Absent Minded, who plays anything from Top 40 to the oldies.

“That night will also be Welcome Back Potomac State Students Night, and we may have our chili cook-off,” he said.

On the evening of Aug. 22, the band 33 1/3 will play music from the ’50s through the ’80s, and 40 West plays “a lot of country and oldies.”

Rick Krauss will perform Aug. 29.

“He can play just about anything; he’s got a voice and a half,” Sowers said.

Stack O’ Blues will also perform that night.

Sowers said he is planning Aug. 22 and 29 as Bike Nights, something that was quite popular last year.

“The bikers can come in and park their bikes right on the street,” he said.

Music is scheduled to get under way each Friday at around 5:30 p.m., and a number of downtown businesses are planning to stay open for the occasion.

“My heart is wanting to see this go, because I’ve seen what Friday After Five has done for Cumberland,” Sowers said.

The first Friday Nite Live last year was held Aug. 4 and through the next month, organizers and supporters — many of them businesses — raised more than $4,000 to help keep the music flowing this year.

Health problems kept Sowers from getting the programs started any earlier than August this year.

“I just haven’t been able to get it going before now,” he said, “But I’m hoping a lot of people will come out for these Fridays in August.”

Contact Liz Beavers at lbeavers@times-news.com.