Your guide to summer concerts
It’s music-lover’s season! From concerts at big venues to relaxed music in the park, there are performances for fans of all genres and music-enjoying settings to enjoy over the next few months. Here’s a rundown of some of the shows on the schedule through Labor Day.
Abbie Griffin Park
6 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack, merrimackparksandrec.org
Thursday, June 26 – Mr. Aaron’s Music
Thursday, July 3 – patriotic concert with the Merrimack Concert Association
Thursday, July 10 – Delta Generators
Thursday, July 17 – B Street Bombers
Thursday, July 24 – Renee & The Renegades
Thursday, July 31 – The Reminisants
Thursday, Aug. 7 – Captain Fantastic – The Music Of Elton John
Thursday, Aug. 14 – Blind Date Band
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Alli Beaudry
Angela Robinson Bandstand
57 Main St., Henniker, hennikerconcerts.com
Tuesday, June 24 – Scott Kirby w/ Gary Green
Tuesday, July 1 – Rebel Collective
Tuesday, July 8 – Independence Day celebration w/ Hopkinton Town Band
Tuesday, July 15 – Monkey Fingers
Tuesday, July 22 – Blues Express (Blues, Brews & BBQ Fest)
Tuesday, July 29 – Not Fade Away
Tuesday, Aug. 5 – Shana Stack Band
Tuesday, Aug. 12 – Princess Kikou
Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Dwayne Haggins Band
Tuesday, Aug. 26 – The Macrotones
BankNH Pavilion
72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, banknhpavilion.com
Thursday, June 19 – Slightly Stoopid
Wednesday, June 25 – Counting Crows with The Gaslight Anthem
Friday, June 27 – Goose
Tuesday, July 1 – James Taylor
Thursday, July 3 – Kidz Bop Live!
Saturday, July 5 & Sunday, July 6 – Old Dominion
Friday, July 11 – Rod Stewart
Saturday, July 12 – Barenaked Ladies
Friday, July 18 – Styx, Kevin Cronin and Don Felder
Saturday, July 19 – Brad Paisley
Tuesday, July 22 – Dave Matthews Band
Wednesday, July 23 – Dave Matthews Band
Thursday, July 24 – Shania Twain
Saturday, July 26 – Riley Green
Sunday, July 27 – Big Time Rush
Monday, July 28 – Toto, Men At Work, Christopher Cross
Tuesday, July 29 – Pantera
Wednesday, July 30 – Black Crowes
Friday, Aug. 1 – Chicago
Sunday, Aug. 3 – Outlaw Music Festival w/ Willie Nelson and Family, Bob Dylan, Wilco
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Goo Goo Dolls and Dashboard Confessional
Thursday, Aug. 7 – Little Big Town
Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Volbeat with Halestorm
Thursday, Aug. 14 – Bailey Zimmerman
Friday, Aug. 15 – The Black Keys
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Dropkick Murphys and Bad Religion
Sunday, Aug. 17 – Doobie Brothers
Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Steve Miller Band
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts
Monday, Aug. 25 – Falling In Reverse
Friday, Aug. 29 – Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls
Saturday, Aug. 30 – Bonnie Raitt
Monday, Sept. 1 – Tedeschi Trucks Band and Whiskey Myers
Bedford Village Common Park
15 Bell Hill Road, Bedford, bedfordnh.myrec.com
Wednesday, June 25 – Bel Airs ( ’50s doo-wop vocal quintet)
Wednesday, July 2 – The Rampage Trio (family-friendly classic rock)
Wednesday, July 9 – North River (Americana band)
Wednesday, July 16 – Knock On Wood (folk-rock duo)
Wednesday, July 23 – Endless Skies Band (good times rock)
Wednesday, July 30 – Manchester Community Music School
Bernie’s Beach Bar
73 Ocean Blvd., Hampton, berniesnh.com
Sunday, June 22 – Stephen Marley
Thursday, June 26 – Ripe (also June 27)
Sunday, June 29 – Collie Budz
Thursday, July 3 – Xzibit
Thursday, July 10 – Will Evans
Thursday, July 17 – Big Something
Sunday, July 20 – The Motet
Thursday, July 24 -Souls of Mischief
Sunday, July 27 – Wheeland Brothers
Sunday, Aug. 3 – 10 Ft. Ganja Plant
Thursday, Aug. 7 – Bumpin Uglies
Thursday, Aug. 14 – Dasha
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Aaron Lewis & The Stateliners
Tuesday, Aug. 26 – Barrington Levy
BNH Stage (CCANH)
16 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com
Saturday, June 21 – ICONS: Freddie Mercury
Sunday, June 22 – Hot Peas n Butter
Saturday, June 28 – Kevin Horan & Cosmic Blossom (Locally Sourced)
Sunday, June 29 – Wicked Sing Along
Wednesday, July 2 – Ranger Zone Open Mic
Friday, July 11 – Gavin Marengi Band
Friday, Aug. 1 – Zach Nugent’s Dead Set
Friday, Aug. 15 – Ryan Montbleau
Friday, Aug. 22 – Doug., the Worst & Grub Lord (Locally Sourced)
Brewster Academy
80 Academy Drive, Wolfeboro, greatwaters.org/brewster-academy
Thursday, July 24 – Abby Mueller Trio (Carole King, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor tribute)
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Peter Cincotti
Wednesday, Aug. 27 – Ted Vigil (John Denver tribute)
Casino Ballroom
169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton, casinoballroom.com
Thursday, June 26 – Steel Pulse
Friday, June 27 – The Movement & Tribal Seeds w/ Mike Love
Saturday, June 28 – Voyage (Journey Tribute)
Saturday, July 5 – Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime
Wednesday, July 9 – The Elovaters w/ Mihali
Thursday, July 10 – Ryan Adams
Friday, July 11 – Fab Four – Beatles tribute
Saturday, July 12 – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Sunday, July 13 – Buddy Guy
Friday, July 18 – Trevor Hall
Saturday, July 19 – Dark Desert Eagles
Wednesday, July 23 – Russell Dickerson
Friday, July 25 – 49 Winchester with Wesko
Saturday, July 26 – Little River Band
Saturday, Aug. 2 – Mat Kearney
Sunday, Aug. 3 – Happy Together Tour
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Air Supply
Thursday, Aug. 7 – Yacht Rock Revue
Friday, Aug. 8 – Gimme Gimme Disco
Sunday, Aug. 10 – Cooper Alan
Wednesday, Aug. 13 – David Lee Roth
Friday, Aug. 15 – The Struts
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Tributes: Dirty Deeds (AC/DC) and Cathedral (Van Halen)
Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Joe Perry Project
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Dylan Scott
Friday, Aug. 22 – Brit Floyd
Saturday, Aug. 23 – Get the Led Out
Sunday, Aug. 24 – Tyler Hubbard
Wednesday, Aug. 27 – Andy Grammer
Thursday, Aug. 28 – Extreme
Friday, Aug. 29 – One Night of Queen
Saturday, Aug. 30 – Face 2 Face – A Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel
Sunday, Aug. 31 – KC & The Sunshine Band
Chubb Theatre (CCANH)
44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com
Saturday, June 21 – Dionne Warwick
Colonial Theatre
609 Main St., Laconia, coloniallaconia.com
Thursday, July 10 – The High Kings
Saturday, Aug. 2 – Mary Chapin Carpenter / Brandy Clark
Wednesday, Aug. 27 – One Night of Queen
Crows’ Feat Farm
178-180 Drinkwater Road, Kensington, crowsfeatfarm.org
Sunday, June 22 – Trifecta
Sunday, July 13 – Gnarly Darling
Sunday, July 27 – Reed Foehl
Sunday, Aug. 10 – Kate Prascher
Sunday, Aug. 24 – A Classical Collaboration
Emerson Park
6 Mont Vernon St., Milford, milfordnh.recdesk.com
Wednesday, July 16 – Mango Groove Steel Band
Wednesday, July 23 – The Temple Band
Wednesday, July 30 – 50 Shades of Blue
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Rockin Daddies 50s 60s
Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Tru Diamond
Field of Dreams
48 Geremonty Drive, Salem, fieldofdreamsnh.org
Friday, June 20 – Foreigners Journey
Friday, June 27 – Souled Out Show Band
Friday, July 11 – Champagne Casanova
Friday, July 18 – R3d N3ck Castaway Band
Thursday, July 24 – Brandy Band
Thursday, July 31 – The Salem Boyz
Friday, Aug. 15 – B Street Bombers
Friday, Aug. 22 – Madhouse Party Band
Greeley Park Band Shell
100 Concord St., Nashua, nashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun
Tuesday, June 24 – B Street Bombers
Tuesday, July 1 – After Hours Big Band
Friday, July 4 – The Slakas
Tuesday, July 8 – Rico Barr Band
Tuesday, July 15 – Bedford Big Band
Monday, July 21 – Tru Diamond
Saturday, July 26 – Bel Airs (’50’s doo-wop vocal quintet)
Tuesday, July 29 – American Legion
Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Hangfire Band
Hampstead Public Library Stage
9 Mary E Clark Drive, Hampstead, hampsteadlibrary.org
Wednesday, July 2 – Steve Blunt and Friends
Wednesday, July 9 – High Range Bluegrass Band
Wednesday, July 16 – Monadnock Bluegrass Band
Wednesday, July 23 – Mr. Aaron
Wednesday, July 30 – Relative Soul
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – The Last Duo
Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Classic Rain
The Keyes Stage
45 Elm St., Milford, milfordnh.recdesk.com
Wednesday, July 2 – Cover Story
Wednesday, July 9 – Rampage Trio
Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Scenes – A Billy Joel Tribute
Wednesday, Aug. 27 – Compaq Big Band
Londonderry Town Common
265 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, londonderryartscouncil.org/cotc-schedule
Wednesday, June 25 – East Coast Soul
Wednesday, July 2 – Cool Cool Cool
Wednesday, July 9 – Bruce Marshall Group
Saturday, July 12 – Steve Blunt & Friends (children’s)
Sunday, July 13 – Studio Two (Beatles tribute)
Wednesday, July 16 – Brian Maes Band
Wednesday, July 23 – Chicago Total Access
Wednesday, July 30 – Delta Generators
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Martin and Kelly
MainStreet Stage
16 E Main St., Warner, mainstreetwarnerinc.org
Sunday, June 22 – Colin Nevins
Tuesday, July 8 – Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic
Friday, July 18 – Now’s The Time
Friday, Aug. 1 – Trade
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Manning & McBrian
Meetinghouse Park
11 Main St., Hampstead, hampsteadcabletv.com/concert-series
Tuesday, July 1-Timberlane Community Band
Tuesday, July 8 – Time Bandits
Tuesday, July 15 – The Redneck Castaway Band
Tuesday, July 22 – Haggard and Cashed
Tuesday, July 29 – Tru Diamond
Tuesday, Aug. 5 – Mark 209
Tuesday, Aug. 12 – Rick Anthony as Elvis
Tuesday, Aug. 26 – Martin & Kelly
Music Hall
28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org
Thursday, June 19 – Shawn Colvin & Rodney Crowell
Friday, June 20 – Arrival From Sweden (ABBA tribute)
Sunday, June 22 – Allman Betts Band
Thursday, July 3 – Rumors ATL (Fleetwood Mac tribute)
Saturday, July 12 – Straight No Chaser
Saturday, July 19 – Drew & Ellie Holcomb
Tuesday, Aug. 26 – The Temptations
Music Hall Lounge
131 Congress St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org
Saturday, June 21 – Chris Trapper
Friday, June 27 – Veronica Lewis
Saturday, June 28 – Mr. Sun
Sunday, July 13 – Once An Outlaw
Wednesday, July 16 – Tony Furtado
Saturday, July 19 – Night of Sinatra w/ Rich DiMare and Ron Poster
Sunday, July 20 – Bitter Pill
Friday, July 25 – Walter Parks & the Unlawful Assembly
Saturday, July 26 – Sarah Blacker & the Light
Friday, Aug. 22 – Mark Erelli
Saturday, Aug. 23 – Sharon Jones
Sunday, Aug. 31 – David Wax Museum
New Boston Common Gazebo
5 Meetinghouse Hill Road, New Boston, newbostonnh.gov
Tuesday, June 24 – Freese Brothers Big Band
Tuesday, July 8 – Hickory Horned Devils
Tuesday, July 22 – The Slakas
Tuesday, Aug. 5 – The Bel Airs
Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Endless Skies Band
North Hampton Bandstand
Route 111 & Route 151, North Hampton, northhamptonbandstand.com/calendar
Wednesday, June 25 – The Visitors
Wednesday, July 2 – Redemption Band
Wednesday, July 9 – Tru Diamond w/ Tony Funches (Platters)
Wednesday, July 16 – Counterfeit Cash tribute band
Wednesday, July 23 – New Legacy Swing Band
Wednesday, July 30 – J.C. Underhill Band with the Elvis Experience
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Mark 209
Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Rico Barr & the JJR Horns
Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Studio Two (Beatles tribute)
Wednesday, Aug. 27 – Club Soda
Palace Theatre
80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org
Friday, June 27 – Somebody to Love – Queen tribute (also 6/28)
Saturday, Aug. 23 – NH Irish Festival
Rex Theatre
23 Amherst St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org
Friday, June 20 – Willie Nile
Saturday, June 28 – Scott Spradling Band: Music At The Movies
Friday, July 11 – BoStyx – Boston & Styx tribute
Saturday, July 12 – Roomful of Blues
Saturday, July 19 – Silver Springs – Fleetwood Mac tribute
Saturday, July 26 – Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
Friday, Aug. 1 – Rush Experience (Rush tribute)
Friday, Aug. 22 – Traveling Wilburys tribute
Sea Shell Stage
180 Ocean Blvd., Hampton, hamptonbeach.org
Thursday, June 19 – Angela West & Showdown
Friday, June 20 – Brandy Band
Saturday, June 21 – Radio Roulette
Sunday, June 22 – Christian Music Festival
Monday, June 23 – Viva Las Elvis: A Tribute to Elvis Presley
Tuesday, June 24 – Billy D and the Rock-its
Wednesday, June 25 – The Reminisants
Thursday, June 26 – Line Dance Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Thursday, June 26 – TBA
Friday, June 27 – Something Stupid
Saturday, June 28 – HIJACKED
Sunday, June 29 – Backtrack Band
Monday, June 30 – The Apathetics
Tuesday, July 1 – Scenes
Wednesday, July 2 – The Continentals
Thursday, July 3 – Line Dance Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Thursday, July 3 – Timothy James
Friday, July 4 – Brandy Band
Saturday, July 5 – Mischief Mile
Sunday, July 6 – Club Soda
Monday, July 7 – Rob Bellamy
Tuesday, July 8 – Line Dance Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Wednesday, July 9 – Stefanie Jasmine Band
Thursday, July 10 – Line Dance Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Thursday, July 10 – Niko Moon w/ David J
Friday, July 11 – Small Town Stranded
Saturday, July 12 – The Bel Airs
Sunday, July 13 – B Street Bombers
Monday, July 14 – Being Petty: Tom Petty Tribute
Tuesday, July 15 – The Apathetics
Wednesday, July 16 – Beat Street
Thursday, July 17 – Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Thursday, July 17 – Fiddle Fire
Friday, July 18 – Leaving Eden
Saturday, July 19 – Radio Roulette
Sunday, July 20 – World Premier Band
Monday, July 21 – Viva Las Elvis: A Tribute to Elvis Presley
Tuesday, July 22 – Takin’ It To The Streets
Wednesday, July 23 – Scott Brown and the Diplomats
Thursday, July 24 – Line Dance Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Thursday, July 24 – Angela West and Showdown
Friday, July 25 – Neurotic Gumbo
Saturday, July 26 – The Reminsants
Sunday, July 27 – The Rico Barr Band featuring the JJR Horns
Monday, July 28 – 13 Black
Tuesday, July 29 – Dancing Madly Backwards
Wednesday, July 30 – Ayla Brown
Thursday, July 31 – Line Dance Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Thursday, July 31 – April Cushman
Friday, Aug. 1 – Billy D and the Rock-its
Saturday, Aug. 2 – Redemption
Sunday, Aug. 3 – Salem Boyz
Monday, Aug. 4 – The Apathetics
Tuesday, Aug. 5 – The GemsTones
Wednesday, Aug. 6 – Boyz Gone Wild
Thursday, Aug. 7 – Line Dance Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Thursday, Aug. 7 – Vinny B Band
Friday, Aug. 8 – Sophie Patenaude
Saturday, Aug. 9 – 39th Army Band
Sunday, Aug. 10 – Beat Street
Monday, Aug. 11 – Tru Diamond
Tuesday, Aug. 12 – The Little Mermen
Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Club Soda
Thursday, Aug. 14 – Line Dance Lessons with Kevin Richards
Thursday, Aug. 14 – Martin and Kelly
Friday, Aug. 15 – The Reminsants
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Radio Roulette
Sunday, Aug. 17 – Deep Blue C Orchestra
Monday, Aug. 18 – Mark 209
Tuesday, Aug. 19 – All Summer Long
Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Key West Days in Hampton Beach
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Line Dancing Lessons with Chris Lefebvre
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Kevin White
Friday, Aug. 22 – Talent Competition
Saturday, Aug. 23 – Talent Competition
Sunday, Aug. 24 – Talent Competition
Monday, Aug. 25 – Viva Las Elvis: A Tribute to Elvis Presley
Tuesday, Aug. 26 – Blues Brothers the Next Generation
Wednesday, Aug. 27 – Brandy Band
Thursday, Aug. 28 – Line Dance Lessons with Nashville Line Dance
Thursday, Aug. 28 – Angela West and Showdown- Country
Friday, Aug. 29 – The Continentals
Saturday, Aug. 30 – “Cirque du Hampton Beach”
Sunday, Aug. 31 – The Reminsants
Monday, Sept. 1 – Leaving Eden
Stark Park
650 River Road, Manchester, starkpark.com
Saturday, June 21 – Miss Alli Kids Concert
Sunday, June 29 – New Legacy Swing Band
Sunday, July 6 – Love Dogs
Sunday, July 13 – Wolverine Jazz Band
Sunday, July 20 – Another Tequila Sunrise (Eagles tribute)
Sunday, July 27 – Swing Times Five
Sunday, Aug. 3 – Something Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton tribute)
Sunday, Aug. 10 – Studio Two (Beatles tribute)
Sunday, Aug. 17 – Windham Concert Band
Monday, Aug. 18 – Manchester Community Summer Band
Sunday, Aug. 24 – Compaq Big Band
The Range
96 Old Turnpike Road, Mason, therangemason.com
Friday, June 20 – Chris Janson
Saturday, June 21 – Pepper w/ Cydeways
Friday, June 27 – Zach Deputy w/ Fox and the Flamingos
Saturday, June 28 – Town Meeting w/ Connor Watson
Saturday, July 5 – Pure Prairie League & The Weight Band w/ The Incidentals
Thursday, July 10 – Lovewhip
Saturday, July 12 – Once an Outlaw & The Peacheaters
Thursday, July 17 – Annie Brobst
Saturday, July 19 – Max Creek
Saturday, July 26 – The New Mastersounds w/ Funk You
Sunday, Aug. 3 – Johnny Burgin
Saturday, Aug. 16 – The SteelDrivers w/ Charlie Chronopoulos
Friday, Aug. 29 – Jennifer Hartswick Band / The Nth Power / Hayley Jane Band
Tupelo Music Hall
10 A St., Derry, tupelomusichall.com
Friday, June 20 – Mike Tramp’s White lion w/ All Sinners
Saturday, June 21 – Magical Mystery Doors – Beatles, Zeppelin, Doors tribute
Sunday, June 22 – Curtis Salgado
Tuesday, June 24 – Robin Trower (sold out)
Saturday, June 28 – Australian Bee Gees Show
Friday, July 11 – Dueling Pianos
Saturday, July 12 – Beginnings – Chicago tribute
Sunday, July 13 – Howie Day
Friday, July 18 – Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi tribute
Saturday, July 19 – Jerrod Niemann
Wednesday, July 23 – Direct From Sweden – ABBA tribute (also 7/24)
Friday, July 25 – Postmodern Jukebox
Saturday, July 26 – Live at The Fillmore – Allman Brothers tribute
Sunday, July 27 – Sweet
Tuesday, July 29 – Rick Wakeman
Saturday, Aug. 2 – Atlanta Rhythm Section
Sunday, Aug. 10 – Cherry Cherry – Neil Diamond tribute
Tuesday, Aug. 12 – Stryper
Friday, Aug. 15 – Naturally 7
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Ozomatli
Friday, Aug. 22 – Queensryche w/ All Sinners
Thursday, Aug. 28 – Majesty – Queen tribute
Friday, Aug. 29 – Broken Hearts – Tom Petty tribute
Saturday, Aug. 30 – Slaughter
Sunday, Aug. 31 – Justin Hayward
Village Green
6 Village Green, Pelham
Wednesday, July 9- Standard Tuning
Wednesday, July 23 – The Casuals
Wedensdasy, Aug. 6- 4 Ever Fab Band and Cruise Night (Car Show)
Wednesday, Aug. 13 – Everlasting Characters (Royal Ball)
Word Barn
66 Newfields Road, Exeter, thewordbarn.com
Friday, June 20 – Soggy Po’ Boys
Sunday, June 22 – Antje Duvekot
Thursday, June 26 – Allegra Krieger
Friday, June 27 – Rock My Soul
Sunday, July 6 – The Lost River Fleet
Friday, July 11 – The Wolff Sisters
Saturday, July 19 – AJ Lee & Blue Summit
Sunday, July 20 – Dean Johnson & Erin Rae
Wednesday, July 23 – Jake Xerxes Fussell
Friday, Aug. 1 – Dead to the Core
Friday, Aug. 15 – Joe Pug
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Joe Pug
Sunday, Aug. 17 – Todd Hearon w/Big Sweetie
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Kissing Other PPL ft Rachel Baiman + Viv & Riley
A little venue that could
The Range the offers summer outdoor concerts
Nicole Ruggiero didn’t set out to become a concert promoter, but shows at her venue The Range in Mason are now a regular part of summer in New Hampshire. Moreover, Ruggiero no longer has to shout from the rooftops to book acts like country star Chris Janson, who opens the season on June 20.
“Now, agents are approaching us and nationally touring bands are saying, ‘This is the best food that I’ve had on tour,’” Ruggerio said in a recent phone interview, adding that fans are loving it too. “I perch near the tent when people are leaving and overhear conversations of like, ‘Wow, this place is great’ … this is why I do it.”
It began in 2011 with a Roots of Creation concert intended as a one-off to promote a new tiki bar. Ruggerio had left college after her mom passed away to help out at the driving range, ice cream stand and restaurant that her parents began in 1992.
“It was an ‘or else I’ll sell it’ type of deal, and you really can’t say no to that,” she recalled. “I grew up in that business. My parents built it when I was in the second grade, and it was my first job. It got me started in the hospitality industry.”
She was able to continue her studies at New England Culinary Institute by pivoting to an internship. They agreed, “because I was going in blindly to a business I hadn’t even worked at in many years,” she said. “My mom … didn’t have management beneath her, so she ran the show. I didn’t get the opportunity to really learn from her, I just kind of got thrown into it.”
Ruggerio felt that throwing a concert was a smart way to get the word about her new spin on things; it worked, but the path forward hasn’t been an easy one.
“Live music is one of those things that I feel is a crucial social component and healing element, really, in this wild world,” she said. “I started doing weekend events under a tent, local bands, free of charge, no big deal. After one year, I’m like, ‘I want to build a stage, I want to attract bigger bands.’ And all hell broke loose.”
A three-year battle with the town council culminated in June 2016 with a special election to decide whether to allow outdoor entertainment at Marty’s Driving Range. It passed by a wide margin, driven by the largest voter turnout that anyone in Mason could recall.
“It blew my mind, the turnout and the people in our favor, and it chokes me up to this day, thinking about the support,” she said. “I stood outside of the town hall from start to finish answering questions as people were going in to vote. There were probably some last-minute people that were steered … just from talking to me.”
Along with weekend shows, The Range has a smaller Garage Door Series with a focus on local music. It came about when Ruggerio got frustrated waiting to get approval for larger-scale events. What she chose to do is emblematic of the passion and perseverance that drives her.
“I was like, all right, if we can’t use the stage then I’m going to book bands in the dining room,” she said, and had a contractor tear down a wall. “We had bands playing right on the inside of the dining room to the patio area. I was improvising before I could get full-blown approval and that actually turned into a totally separate component of our business.”
New additions to The Range include expanded VIP areas — “we got approval for two more,” Ruggerio said — a snack shack and a glamping area. Ruggerio hopes to have a dedicated bathroom building built by sometime next year. That said, she’s not looking to turn The Range into a larger, more corporate venue.
“It’s important to me to keep the connection, the intimacy between the fans [and] musicians, and growing much bigger will really take away from it,” she said. “Right now, there’s not a bad seat in the house. We’re consistently trying to improve our processes and streamline without compromising quality, being a greedy money-grabbing entity. Eventually my goal is to attract the larger artists to our smaller venue, even if they’re not used to playing to a thousand capacity … to give their fans a really special experience.”
Checking in with Casino Ballroom
Andrew Herrick has served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Casino Ballroom for more than two decades. In a recent interview, he talked about the venue’s coming season, which already has seen several shows sell out, including Tesla, David Lee Roth and KC & the Sunshine Band.
What’s your favorite booking this year?
I don’t know if I have a favorite but I’m very excited for the Joe Perry Project show. The lineup — Joe, Brad Whitford and Buck Johnson from Aerosmith, Chris Robinson from The Black Crowes and Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz from Stone Temple Pilots — will be pretty incredible. I’m also excited for The Elovaters, 49 Winchester, Jimmy Cash and Jimmy Dunn together and of course Diamond David Lee Roth!
Which show so far has been the biggest surprise in terms of sales?
We have had a bunch of fast-selling shows. I guess the surprise might be how quickly Cooper Alan and Dylan Scott sold out. Country fans in this market are clearly ready to party! Some other quick sellers were Yacht Rock Revue and The Elovaters. Some weren’t a surprise — we were not surprised at how fast Joan Jett sold out, for example.
Are there any shows that you think shouldn’t be overlooked?
The one I have my eye on is The Struts package. Dirty Honey is opening that show and I think it is going to be awesome from start to finish. I also think the Movement and Tribal seeds with Mike Love opening will be a pretty incredible night on the beach. And don’t sleep on 49 Winchester.
Tesla added a show after the first sold out — will any others do the same?
Sometimes, it depends on the artist’s touring schedule. I don’t anticipate anyone doing that at this point in time.
What are the challenges this year?
Same as always, lots of big outdoor venues and acts that would normally play here teaming up to play the larger spots. The questions surrounding the economy are keeping people from making decisions about discretionary spending way in advance and the amount of awesome things to do in general is at an all-time high so we are competing with all of it. The secret to 2025 might end up being pricing the show correctly when all is said and done.
Has the decline in tourism from across the border impacted you?
No, we don’t really sell tickets to tourists here. We sell almost all of our tickets to people who live within about 50 miles of Hampton Beach. Some of them chose to take part in the tourism offerings — restaurants, hotels, the beach itself — but generally speaking we would have to align the style offering to whomever is here for vacation, which happens but not enough to notice a change during a cultural shift like the one we are currently experiencing.
