There will be a different venue for the third concert of the Coon Rapids Arts Commission’s annual free summer series.

Instead of the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park performance pavilion, where eight of the nine concerts in the series will take place, the Thursday, June 21, 7 p.m., concert featuring country music star and former Coon Rapids resident Rockie Lynne will be at Sand Creek Park.



“We are expecting a large crowd and Sand Creek Park has more room,” said Kris Linquist, deputy city clerk and staff liaison to the arts commission.

Lynne has appeared nationally on “Good Morning America,” CMT, GAC, The Grand Ole Opry “Live” and Fox News.



His debut single, “Lipstick,” spent 10 consecutive weeks in the No. 1 slot on Billboard’s Country Singles Sales chart.



According to his website biography, Lynne first made a name for himself when he released his critically acclaimed self-titled debut CD on Universal Records.



He was named a “breakout artist” by ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America,” while Billboard Magazine named him their artist “Most Likely To Succeed” and he has made countless media appearances, including performances on GMA’s Summer Concert Series and 14 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., where he now lives..



A native of Statesville, N.C., Lynne has been singing and writing songs since the age of 14. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army, where he served for three years in the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg, N.C.



After leaving the military, he starting playing clubs and has spent the better part of the last year touring and writing songs for his new album, “Songs For Soldiers.”



One third of the proceeds from the record will benefit troop-related charities.



The inspiration for the album was his 21-day tour of Afghanistan, Southwest Asia and the Persian Gulf, where he and his band entertained U.S. troops stationed abroad.



Lynne is co-founder of an annual charity motorcycle ride called Tribute To The Troops, where riders visit the homes of the families of fallen soldiers to acknowledge them for having made such a sacrifice. The organization has raised over $200,000 in aid to the families of the fallen.



The remainder of the 2012 concert schedule is:

• June 28 – The Elvis Experience, a tribute to Elvis.

• July 12 – Minnesota Sinfonia, family pops concert.

• July 19 – Bill Koncar, accordion variety.

• July 26 – Island Time Band, island party/dance.

• Aug. 2 – Betty Rydell and Randi Rae, country/gospel.

• Aug. 9 – The Hillbilly Mafia, top 40 country.



Ray McManus, owner of the Shortstop Bar & Grill on Northdale Boulevard, has donated $7,500 to sponsor eight of the nine concerts this year.

The Minnesota Sinfonia concert July 12 is sponsored by the Pentair Foundation.



Boy Scout Troop 524, Church of the Epiphany, is selling popcorn, candy, soda and water during the concerts, while the Coon Rapids North Star Lions Club has food items such as hamburgers, hot dogs and brats for sale.

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The Coon Rapids Arts Commission, which is a volunteer advisory commission to the city council, plans arts events in Coon Rapids throughout the year.

For more information call 763-767-6432 or 763-757-4700.