By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published Jul 09, 2020 at 5:31 PM

Kapco Metal Stamping in Grafton is bringing back the Live at the Lot outdoor concert series -- minus the movies this time and with more national headline acts.

In its previous iteration, the festival mixed films and music and ran across nearly a month. This time, it takes place from July 17 to 25 and there are no movies. 

But there are acts like Phil Vassar, Lee Brice and Blessid Union of Souls, among others.

Partner company, K-Nation Entertainment (KNE) is reinstalling the stage, sound and lights for seven shows:

  • Friday, July 17, 2020 7:30 p.m. Lee Brice with special guest Conner Sweet
  • Saturday, July 18, 2020 7:30 p.m. Blessid Union of Souls
  • Tuesday, July 21, 2020 6:30 p.m. The Prince Experience
  • Wednesday, July 22, 2020 6:30 p.m. Bella Cain
  • Thursday, July 23, 2020 6:30 p.m. Phil Vassar with special guest Matt Wynn
  • Friday, July 24, 2020 7:30 p.m. The Docksiders
  • Saturday, July 25, 2020 7:30 p.m. Beatlemania Now

Tickets go on sale Friday, July 10 at noon at liveatthelot.com and must be purchased online in advance.

As last time, social distancing is enforced.  Patrons can sit in their vehicles or on their own lawn chairs immediately adjacent to their vehicles at an appropriate distance from other guests. A limited number of vehicles will be allowed entry.

Nearly 3,000 folks attended the first series of events and raised more than  $5,000 raised for the Hometown Heroes charity. Importantly for local musicians and support staff, the concerts provided paid performance opportunities for more than 50 entertainment industry people.

Food and beer delivery will be available. 

"The national headliners we have secured for our second Live At The Lot series are very impressive including country stars Lee Brice and Phil Vassar as well as the pop group Blessid Union of Souls who have had a number of Top 40 hits," said Kapco President Jim Kacmarcik.

"Given our social distancing requirements, Kapco’s Live At The Lot provides guests the opportunity to enjoy live music in a safe setting. Many of our headliners typically play for several thousand guests at each concert. It is truly a privilege to see them in a much smaller setting in Grafton."

Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.