5 Questions with Nelson French on the Silver Bay Music in the Park Series

5 Question Interview, Upcoming Events Leave a comment

The Silver Bay Music in the Park is a free live music concert series. They have a fantastic lineup. The surroundings alone are worth the drive. It was fun to catch up with the host for some insider intell…

I used to travel to Silver Bay for work. It’s gorgeous! But for folks who haven’t been there can you tell us a little bit about the community and the location.

The City of Silver Bay is located in Lake County, Minnesota, on the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior approximately 56 miles northeast of Duluth, MN on US Highway 61. The community, which was originally built by Reserve Mining Company for the employees in its taconite processing plant, was incorporated in 1956 and has approximately 1,850 residents. Silver Bay lies three miles northeast of Beaver Bay, the oldest community on the North Shore. Silver Bay takes pride in its fine school system, library, marina, recreation facilities and programs, municipal liquor store and clean community. The City also owns a beautiful nine-hole golf course complete with driving range, which receives accolades from visitors as well as locals.

The City borders on Tettegouche State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. The Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are located nearby. There are numerous other parks, lakes, rivers, and scenic areas located within a 15-mile radius of the City. Bayside Park, located on the shores of Lake Superior, includes a sand beach, picnic areas, boat launch, scenic vista, and a scuba divers’ dock.

The City is surrounded by hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and ATV trails. Many of which link with State Trails. There is easy access to both the Superior Hiking Trail and the state snowmobile and ATV trails from the City since these trails lie partially within the City limits.

Many visitors are drawn to the area due to its natural beauty and its vast array of recreational activities. The City hosts numerous hockey and softball tournaments each year. There is something for everyone in Silver Bay – come visit us and you’ll see why!

Today Silver Bay is undergoing a rebirth and is embracing the future with a visionary comprehensive plan and a very active Economic Development Authority and City Council. Rocky Wall Productions is pleased to be an active participant in bringing greater awareness to the City of Silver Bay and all it has to offer as a place to visit and a place to live.

Along the North Shore, sleepy Silver Bay embraces development to put itself ‘on the map’ | MPR News

What inspired you to host a summer long concert series?

Neighbors on Rocky Wall Road began enjoying music at private house concerts in 2015. Over the course of five years, we enjoyed bringing talented musicians into our homes and sharing music with friends and neighbors. We hosted eight house concerts in those first 5 years. In the summer of 2021, we discussed how fun it would be to share our love of music with the broader community. We brainstormed on how we might go about doing this and settled on establishing Rocky Wall Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to accomplish this.

We wedded this idea to revitalization of downtown Silver Bay and the long-held community vision that the green space in the center of Silver Bay could be a great location for establishment of a “City Center Park and Amphitheater”. Thus, was born the concept of Silver Bay Music in the Park Concert Series at City Center Park by City Hall. We were sensitive to the existence of the very popular and successful historic Bay Days celebration, so a decision was made to use Bay Days as the launching event for bringing free Friday night live outdoor music to Silver Bay through the balance of summer.

We live in Silver Bay and many of us are involved in efforts to improve our community on many levels. The City Center location in downtown Silver Bay is a very attractive location in a valley of sorts with sweeping views towards Lake Superior.

In 2024-25 Rocky Wall Productions will be leading an effort to develop a plan for creating a City Center Park with an Amphitheater.

Rocky Wall Productions is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that raises funds from public sources, corporations, foundations and individuals to support bringing live music to Silver Bay and the North Shore. Tax-deductible donations are accepted and can be made at Make a Donation | Rocky Wall Productions

What is the line up? And how did you choose?

2024 Silver Bay Music Lineup

Our focus is to bring to the North Shore Americana artists of regional, national and international talent that we would otherwise not be able to see perform in our community.

We have a three-member board of directors consisting of myself, retired attorney Lisa A. Berg and musician and retired real estate appraiser Gene LaFond.  We also work very closely with Silver Bay resident and sound production professional Jerry LaVigne who is a legend on the business and has extensive contracts. Between all of us we have extensive connections to high quality musician talent across the country and world. As we grow, we plan to bring national and international talent to Silver Bay with a focus the best of Americana Music. The musicians fall in love with the North Shore and we now have over 60 bands on a list of those who would like to perform here.

The bands are booked to play a FREE Friday Night Music in the Park Concert. Often times the bands choose to stay a second night and donate their time to perform a Benefit House Concert Fundraiser for Rocky Wall Productions.

Several of the visiting bands have agreed to stay another day in Silver Bay and donate their time and talent to help us raise funds that will ensure that Rocky Wall Productions can continue to bring high quality live music to Silver Bay. 40 first come, first served, tickets will be available for purchase for each event at the links provided on this website. Order your tickets today for a very special intimate evening of music and to help Rocky Wall Productions raise funds to help fund future events.  Benefit House Concerts | Rocky Wall Productions

For folks who plan to travel to a show what are some of the logistics? Are there local hotels, campgrounds, cafes, grocery stores? Should we pack a hoodie? 

Do you have a shortlist of must-sees in the area for before or after the show for the travelers?

Best of the North Shore – Best of the North Shore – Silver Bay Minnesota

Silver Bay – A Treasure on Lake Superior’s North Shore – YouTube

Best of the North Shore – 10 THINGS TO DO

  1. Black Beach -Search for agates. Take a walk. Enjoy a campfire.
  2. Silver Bay Marina – Rent a charter and fish. Take a scenic cruise. Have a cookout.
  3. Hiking Trails – Hike – Superior Hiking Trail. Hiking for all abilities: County Road 4 to Gitchi Gami Trail or Twin Lakes Trail.
  4. Fishing – Fish Beaver River. Baptism River. Shore fishing is popular and accessible, especially for salmon and steelhead.
  5. Golf course – Golf Silver Bay Golf Course & Driving Range. Nine-hole course open to the public. Driving range. Pro Shop. Sandwich grill.
  6. Canoeing – Canoe On Nearby Lax Lake. Drive a few miles to this lovely lake with a resort that rents canoes & paddleboards.
  7. Rock Climbing – Climb Palisade Head Or Shovel Point At Tettegouche. For experienced climbers only!
  8. Biking – Bike Gitchi Gami Paved Trail. Walk, run or rollerblade. Pick up the trail in Silver Bay or Beaver Bay.
  9. Waterfalls – Hike Tettegouche State Park. Hike High Falls and Shovel Point. Beautiful and family-friendly hikes.
  10. Kayaking – Kayak Lake Superior’s Water Trails. The area’s “Gold Coast” is the most scenic on the North Shore.

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