On June 16, Knox County kicks off a new summer concert series, Third Thursday Concerts at New Harvest Park, with world-renown dobro player Phil Leadbetter and Friends.

The free concerts, held June through August on the third Thursday of each month, take place immediately following the New Harvest Park Farmers Market from 6 to 8 p.m. at 4775 New Harvest Lane. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs.

About Phil Leadbetter:

The June 16 concert will feature one of the best known dobro players in the world, Knoxville’s Grammy nominated Phil Leadbetter. In 1994, Phil received a Grammy Nomination for “Best Bluegrass Album.” In 2005 and 2014, he was voted International Bluegrass Music Association “Dobro Player Of The Year.” That year he also won “Instrumental Album of the Year.” His song “California Cottonfields” held the #1 spot on the National Bluegrass Chart for two consecutive months in 2005. The Phil Leadbetter Signature Dobro, manufactured by the Gibson Guitar Corporation, is named after him. And in 2015, Phil was awarded “Dobro Player Of The Year” at The International Bluegrass Music Awards and inducted into The Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.

The 2016 Third Thursday Concerts at New Harvest Park are sponsored by WIVK 107.7 FM and Knox County Parks & Recreation.