MEQUON - The idea came to Rob Kos a few months ago as he was driving to the office.

First, he heard a classic Kenny Loggins song.

Then a legendary hit by Michael McDonald.

And just like that, the concept for the Gathering on the Green’s next big concert was born.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, for “One Night … Two Incredible Performances,” a show featuring the talents of both Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald at 8 p.m. Friday, July 14.

 

“Neither of these performers have played much around the Wisconsin area, and they’re not touring together or anything,” said Kos, executive director of Gathering on the Green. “This is a unique, one-time event where both acts will play full concerts that will likely include some of the songs they co-wrote.”

Event organizers were kicking around different ideas last fall before Kos came up with his plan.

“I was driving in the car and a Kenny Loggins song came on and I thought ‘wow, that would be fantastic (to have him),’” Kos explained. “Then when McDonald came on I knew. It took a long time to organize and it was a crazy idea, but I’m thrilled it’s finally happening.”

Tickets are $99, $65 and $49 for reserved seats, and $30 for lawn seats at Gathering on the Green, which is held at Mequon’s Rotary Park.

“It’s really exciting to have artists like this coming right to our backyard in Mequon,” Kos said. “It will be fantastic seeing them in this beautiful setting.”

On the tails of the last year’s sell-out Huey Lewis and the News concert, Kos said he is optimistic this year’s event will draw a similar crowd.

“A show like this is great for Mequon,” Kos said. “It helps Gathering on the Green with our visibility and recognition in the public and enables us to better support our mission.”

Proceeds from the concert, and other Gathering on the Green events, benefit youth programs and scholarships in the community.

Loggins’ career has spanned more than four decades, bringing him to the top of the charts with 12 platinum albums and a pair of Grammy awards. He’s had smash hits on Hollywood’s favorite soundtracks, rocked stages worldwide and found his way into children's hearts while bringing his soulful, beautiful voice to platinum albums of a stunning variety of genres.

In 1977, Loggins produced his first solo album, “Celebrate Me Home,” which included “I Believe In Love,” sung originally by Barbra Streisand in “A Star Is Born.”

Subsequent albums included the hit “Whenever I Call You Friend,” a duet with Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and a duet with Journey frontman Steve Perry, “Don’t Fight It.”

Loggins also co-wrote the song “What a Fool Believes” with McDonald, who is known for his distinctive, soulful voice.

With a career that encompasses five Grammys, numerous chart successes, personal and professional accolades, as well as collaborations with some of the world’s most prominent artists, McDonald remains an enduring force in popular music.

In the mid-70s, McDonald joined The Doobie Brothers and contributed as a singer, keyboardist and songwriter on such Top 40 singles as “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” “Minute By Minute” and “What A Fool Believes.”

His distinct vocal style also made him one of the world’s most sought-after session singers. Beyond his hits with The Doobies, McDonald has lent his voice to records by an A-Z of artists, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill and Grizzly Bear.

During the 80s and 90s, his solo career zoomed from success to success on the wings of evergreen hits like “Sweet Freedom,” “On My Own” (a duet with Patti LaBelle) and the Grammy-winning duet with James Ingram, “Yah Mo B There.” For more on tickets, visit www.gatheringonthegreen.org, or call 262-242-6187.

Oates concert

In the meantime, Kos said tickets are still available for when John Oates of Hall and Oates becomes the first to take the stage in the recently refurbished James Barr Performing Arts Center at Homestead High School in a formal kickoff of the new theater on Thursday, Feb. 23.

“That show is going to be another really unique experience for our community, in addition to offering the community a chance to see the beautifully remodeled performing arts center,” Kos said.

The show in February is an ideal fit for the updated space, Kos said, since it will be something more than a concert.

“It’s going to be a very unique experience because he’s going to do a lot of storytelling in addition to playing music,” said Kos. “So, people will get to hear the stories behind the songs, which we are really excited about.”

Doors for the concert will open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the event went on sale Dec. 1. Reserved seats are $99 and general admission is $25.

To purchase tickets for the Oates show, or for more information, call 262-242-6187 or visit www.gatheringonthegreen.org.