The Austin-based group The Trishas brings their rootsy, bluesy, bluegrass inspired sound to the free Summer Breeze Concert on Sunday, September 9, in Norman’s Lions Park at the corner of Flood and Symmes.

When Jamie Wilson, Kelley Mickwee, Liz Foster and Savannah Welch first appeared together at the 2009 MusicFest in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, they had no plans to pursue a joint musical future.  Kelley Mickwee was half of the duo Jed & Kelley, Jamie Wilson was a member of The Gougers, and Liz Foster performed on the Texas Opry circuit and toured with a Motown revue before forming the duo Liz & Lincoln. Savannah Welch was an actress and screenwriter and sang in Dustin Welch’s band. They didn’t even have a name — they called themselves The Trishas on a whim. They delighted the audience that night with their beautiful four-part harmony, and soon they were receiving offers to perform as a group. A few months later, The Trishas were showcasing at the Americana Music Association Conference & Festival in Nashville.

The group released the EP They Call Us The Trishas in August 2010, and just released their new album, High, Wide & Handsome. Wilson characterizes their soulful sound as “eclectic” and says of the new album, “It goes between pretty country- and jug-bandy-sounding to spooky and creepy to kinda rockin’, within 14 songs.”

They all play a variety of instruments, sing, and write songs. “We have four writers in the band,” Wilson explained. “So we all have different styles, but as soon as we start playing a song, it becomes a Trishas song. It sounds like we belong together.”

The concert is part of the third annual Luncheon on the Grass, a collaborative arts festival presented by the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, the Firehouse Art Center, The Jacobson House, The Norman Arts Council, and the Performing Arts Studio. Hands-on arts activities and entertainment will take place in the park from 4 pm – 6:30 pm. At 6 pm the Norman Public Arts Board will dedicate two new pieces of public art based on the design of the Firehouse duck by Douglas Shaw Elder. The Trishas will take the stage at 7 pm. Bring seating and refreshments for a full afternoon and evening of art, music, and fun in the park!

Summer Breeze Concerts are produced by the Performing Arts Studio and are made possible in part by grants from the Norman Arts Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and from businesses and individuals including: Michael Miller; Skye Diers, Gingerbread Nursery School; Jamie Belknap, DDS, Norman Smile Center; Andi Berry, Wyoming Art Therapy; and Republic Bank and Trust.  Additional support comes from Cardinal Engineering; David Fries Roofing; Tom McAuliffe – Don Cies Real Estate; Old Republic Title Company of Oklahoma; The Spirit Shop; Dale Wares – Wares Properties; The Earth Natural Foods; The Montford Inn; and City of Norman Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, contact The Performing Arts Studio at 405-307-9320 or visit www.pasnorman.org.