Promoter announces Rockin’ on the River schedule

LORAIN — Rockin’ on the River will be returning to Lorain this year, and promoter Bob Earley said the series will be bigger than ever.

Monica Robins and the Ninja Cowboys play at Rockin’ on the River at Black River Landing at the first concert event at the new venue in Lorain, moving from Cuyahoga Falls. Robins will return to Black River Landing this year. CHRONICLE FILE

“We increased the band budget this year by about two or three times what it was last year,” Earley said. “We want to be able to give the people who attend Rockin’ on the River the best experience possible.”

Earley said the series, whose 2016 schedule was released Wednesday, struggled a bit in the beginning of the 2015 season due to cold weather and rain, but the rest of the season went well with an average attendance of 5,000 people.

“It’s so unbelievable to me how quickly the series was accepted by the people in the area,” Earley said.

Rockin’ on the River moved from Cuyahoga Falls to Black River Landing in 2015.

“The first time we saw Black River Landing, we were really surprised at how beautiful it was,” Earley said. “And I wouldn’t change a thing about it. It’s a great venue, and where else are you going to be able to see bands like this, with the food that’s offered for only $5?”

Earley said some of the tribute bands, 1964 (The Beatles) and Who’s Bad? (Michael Jackson) for example, sell tickets at other venues for $35 or $40, so the $5 admission to the Friday night concert series is “quite the deal.”

Earley said he thinks Rockin’ on the River has appeal because many don’t want to have to drive all the way to downtown Cleveland to attend a concert.

“I think downtown Lorain is a great place to be right now,” he said. “I think it’s three to five years away from a serious revitalization, and people won’t be able to recognize it from the place it is now. The whole county for that matter is headed in that direction.

“Lorain will be a destination here pretty soon. Wait and see.”

SUMMER SEASON

The full Rockin’ on the River schedule can be seen on&nb

• June 3: Vicious Cycle, A Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute, with special guest Shawn Perry and the Hazard County Rebellion
• June 10: Zoso, the Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, with special guests Armstrong Bearcat Band
• June 17: The Purple Xperience, Prince Tribute Band led by Doctor Fink with special guests That ‘80s Band
• There will also be a special Saturday night concert in June with a $15 advance ticket or $20 day of show featuring Michael Stanley and the Resonators with special guests Monica Robins and the Whiskey Kings.