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Nashville Nights kicks off at Black Diamond Harley-Davidson

South 70 will begin the weekend's concert series on Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. PROVIDED

MARION - Given the price of gas, many folks will now be able to afford quality country music entertainment close to home. This weekend kicks off "Nashville Nights." The first show will be free and open to the public.

Future shows are being planned at the Williamson County Pavilion, however the first block of shows this weekend are free and will be held at Black Diamond Harley Davidson, sponsor of Nashville Nights at the Pavilion concert series.

Friday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Atlanta-based South 70 will begin the weekend's concert series. The group is making a return visit from their April 9 concert at the Pavilion, which featured season five American Idol contender Bucky Covington.

Saturday's concerts will begin at noon with South 70 taking the stage again from noon to 3 p.m. At 7 p.m. local musician Jordan Carter, an accomplished Nashville recording artist from Mount Vernon, will take the stage. His seasoned voice spurred newspaper critics to dub him "The New Modern-Day Johnny Cash."

Wrapping up the evening will be Smokey Lonesome, a Nashville group with their own distinct sound that hints of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Eagles. Smokey Lonesome will be performing from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

In addition to "Nashville Nights," the Williamson County Pavilion has also scheduled the Drifters for June 26 and the Illinois state competition for the Colgate Country Showdown in September.

For more information about upcoming concerts, contact the Williamson County Tourism Bureau at 997-3690.

Visit Black Diamond Harley-Davidson's website at www.blackdiamondhd.com for more information.

-The Southern