Live Music in Greenfield

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GREENFIELD — When it comes to live performances, music-lovers don’t have to look far in Hancock County for something to fill their calendars.

A variety of Greenfield bars and restaurant owners who keep a rotation of music acts on the books say bringing in bands and solo artists is a surefire way to draw a crowd.

Here’s a look at what’s coming up:

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The Shoppes at Center Street

When the Freddy Jones Band, pictured below, plays outdoors under the lights Friday night at The Shoppes at Center Street, it will be the best concert Greenfield has ever seen, promises Shoppes owner Eric Spicer.

The national recording act performs at 7 p.m. Friday at The Shoppes, 210 N. Center St. off the Pennsy Trail. Billboard recording artists from the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band will be playing such hits as “In a Daydream” and “Mystic Buzz,” as well as tunes from the band’s new album, live in the outdoor seating area.

Getting the Freddy Jones Band to Greenfield was relatively easy, Spicer admitted. One quick phone call, and he was on his way to getting the group on the calendar.

“I found out they were coming by checking their schedule on Facebook,” he joked.

The Freddy Jones Band has a special place in Spicer’s heart. Hearing them play was one of the first concerts he ever attended with his wife.

“It was one of the first concerts my wife and I ever went to,” Spicer said.

Opening for the Freddy Jones Band is the local group, Ignition, which played a well-received show at The Shoppes about a month ago and was asked to come back to open for the Freddy Jones Band at 5 p.m.

The Shoppes at Center Street has been presenting live music since it opened in August, and the current lineup runs every Thursday and Friday night all summer long.

The season’s first show was May 8. When the last show will be for the outdoor venue?

“Mother Nature will decide,” Spicer said.

Spicer books in musicians from different genres: singer-songwriters, blues artists, traditional country, new age country and rock.

On July 31, the Keanan Rainwater Band, which recently opened for Sugarland, will play the deck at the Shoppes at Center Street.

Tickets are available at eventbrite.com and at the door for $25.

Carol’s Cornerstone Café

Carol’s Cornerstone Café, 301 E. Main St., offers live music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Saturday evening and occasionally on Fridays. The regular line-up includes Tim & DJ on the first Saturday of every month, Replay on second Saturdays and a variety of other entertainers such as gospel singer Larry Driscoll, Scott Zion’s Elvis Show, the Bridgewater Bluegrass Band and Randy Gross and the Pure Grace Band from Knightstown.

The front of the restaurant is opened up as a performance area and guests may order food from the menu. Call 317-557-3959 for a current entertainment schedule.

Ro’s Bar and Grill

The Shoppes isn’t the only live music venue featuring a big event this weekend. Ro’s Bar and Grill in the Green Meadow Shopping Center on North State Street will host the Ro’s Bar and Grill Annual Pay it Forward Tent Party Saturday, featuring free live music all day both inside and outside.

Events include a bike ride and show with registration at 10 a.m. and the ride at 11 a.m. Ride registration is $15 plus $5 for passengers and includes breakfast and lunch. Registration for the car and truck show is $20 per vehicle, and plaques will be awarded to the best of the best. There’s also a rib cook-off, bean bag toss tournament, raffle, auction and games and activities for the kids. Proceeds for this year’s event will go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hancock County.

Ro’s has been a live music staple for the last seven years in Greenfield, and for a $5 cover charge, patrons can enjoy acoustic performances on Wednesdays, karaoke Thursdays, a DJ Fridays and a live band Saturdays.

Owner Richalle Turner said she has no trouble bringing in an audience for the bands.

“People find you,” Turner said. “There’s a lot of word of mouth on different bands. Some bands even have a group following.”

Ro’s entertainment schedule is on a six-week rotation and features central Indiana groups such as Recoil, Spanky’s Clubhouse and the Blue River Three. Call 317-462-2899 for current entertainment information or stop in. A chalkboard on the wall lists the acts several weeks in advance.

The Hey Café

The Hey Café, 16 N. State St., has staked out Fridays as its live entertainment night with a wide assortment of groups. Groups that have graced the stage include Two Pony Rig; Jim and Judy; Richard Caudle; and Fingertrip, pictured above.

Sara Murphy, the lead singer of Fingertrip, has a voice like Olivia Newton-John, owner John Cary said,

“She could sing the phone book, and it would sound good,” he said.

There is never a cover charge at the Hey Café, and there are a variety of snacks and full-meal items on the menu. Visit the Hey Café on Facebook for more information on entertainment and other special events.