Blaze and Kelly to perform at Friday's Concert in the Park

The country sounds of Blaze and Kelly will be featured this Friday as the next performance in the Concert in the Park series.

The free concert will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Carl Miller Park. Those attending are urged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for the event.

"To listen to Blaze and Kelly is to experience a musical nirvana," a spokesperson for organizers of the event said. "Their art takes the listener beyond the realm of the temporal, and into those intangible places we call spirit, dreams, and love. There's no doubt these two laughter-loving women can sing--Niccole's powerful lead vocals blend perfectly with Mo's sweet tone. But what makes them true artists is their ability to create emotion.

"To Blaze and Kelly, it's not money, fame, or precision that creates happiness, but genuine human connection. And their songs illustrate the humanity, passion, and truth each one of us strives to feel and find gladness in," the spokesperson said.

"Their songs range from the serious to the hilarious. But no matter what words have flowed from Niccole's pen, each song resonates with those beautiful human emotions. From the love of a child, 'Lena's Lullaby,' to the recognition we've out-waisted our clothes, 'Fat Pants,'to the intrepid journey named death, 'Mama,' the listener has no choice but to feel connected to the music. Each person finds a little of herself or himself in every song," the spokesperson added.

Singer/songwriter, Niccole Blaze and her bassist, Mo Kelly, met in Sandpoint in 2002. Since their meeting, they've been collaborating in music and life. After playing whenever and wherever they could in the Sandpoint vicinity, they relocated to Boise where they could continue to enjoy Idaho and play for larger audiences. They've become a well-known Boise presence, have a trilogy of albums, and now tour nationally.

Their latest album, 'Life Is Beautiful,' produced by Chet Adkins prodigy Michael Clair, is described as "an experience in jazz, rock, folk and another flavor that is entirely unique."

Concessions at the concert are available.

The Summer Concert Series will finish Aug. 2 with Thomas Hutchings & Anomaly.

The concert series is sponsored by the city parks and recreation department and the Mountain Home Arts Council.

For further questions, or information on how to support other Arts Council programs, call 587-3706, or for parks and recreation programs, call 587-2112. They also can be found on Facebook or by visit their websites at www.mharts.org or http://www.pr.mountain-home.us.

The concert series is made possible by local sponsors Alan and Vickie Bermensolo, B&C Welding, Best Western Foothills Inn, Century Link, Edward Jones Investment -- Patrick Cruser, Faith Lutheran Church, Farmers Insurance Group -- Heidi Rodriguez Agency, Farmers Market, Fuse Iced Tea, Hiddleston and So, Inc., Idaho Power, Johnson Brothers Hospitality, KMHI 1240 AM, Lane's Appliance, Mayor Tom and Shirley Rist, the Mountain Home News, STF Lawn Care, The Dental Center, Wakefield Music Store, WECRD's "Let's Play" program, Wheeler's Wieners, Wingers and other local businesses and individuals.