Martina McBride, Pat Benatar highlight Sweetland’s 2018 Summer Concert Series

Published 10:03 am Wednesday, February 14, 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the correct date of the concerts for McBride and Benatar/ Giraldo.

Martina McBride, Pat Benatar and Gladys Knight will grace the Sweetland Amphitheatre stage later this year as part of the venue’s 2018 Summer Concert series.

Knight, a seven-time Grammy award winner, will take part in the second concert of the summer series on April 20. McBride, who has won the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year award four times, will perform at Sweetland on June 22. Benatar and husband Neil Giraldo will be one of the final acts of the summer, coming to Sweetland on July 21.

The schedule was released to sponsors Tuesday evening and was released to the general public Wednesday morning. Series tickets can be renewed starting Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. New season ticket sales will begin Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. Single ticket sales begin Feb. 23 at 10 a.m.

Here’s the complete schedule:

April 6 — Morris Day and the Time with special guests The Gap Experience

Morris Day and The Time, known for their R&B hits “Jerk Out,” “Jungle Love” and “Ice Cream Castles,” will lead off the Summer Concert Series in April. The Gap Experience, which includes the core group of The Gap Band, will also be a part of the performance.

April 20 — Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight, who rose to fame with her group Gladys Knight and the Pips, is a seven-time Grammy winner. She won two Grammys in 1973 for “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Neither One of us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye.” In 1986, she won for “That’s What Friends Are For” and in 1988 for “Love Overboard.” All four of those Grammys were for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In 2001, she won her fifth Grammy with “At Last” for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album. In 2004, she won Best Gospel Performance for the song “Heaven Help us All” and in 2005 she won “Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album” for “One Voice.”

May 27 — Black Jacket Symphony Presents: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

The Black Jacket Symphony recreates classic albums in a live performance setting. The band aims to keep every detail the same as they recreate the featured artist’s sound.

June 22 — Martina McBride

The 14-time Grammy award nominee will bring some country music to Sweetland in June. McBride is known for her singles “Independence Day,” “This One’s for the Girls,” “A Broken Wing,” “Valentine,” “I Love You,” “Whatever You Say,” “Blessed,” “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” and “Love’s The Only House.” She won the CMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

July 21 — Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Benatar, a four-time Grammy winner, is best known for “Hit Me with your Best Shot,” “Love is a Battlefield,” “We Belong” and “Invincible.”