The Swingin' Medallions' summer outdoor concert on The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center Lawn has become a Gainesville tradition.
The band was founded in 1962 by John McElrath and now includes his two sons, Shawn and Shane. The band also features Jake Bartley, the son of original Medallion, Hack Bartley. Jimmy Perkins, an original member of the group has been back traveling full-time with the band since July 2011.
The band was made famous by its 1.5 million selling hit album, "Double Shot of My Baby's Love", in 1966. It remains the signature song of the band. "Double Shot" was followed with another hit, "She Drives Me Out of My Mind", in 1967. In 1969, they released yet another hit, "Hey, Hey Baby", the song featured at their 2004 Gator Bowl Half-Time Show performance. The band released countless other singles through Capitol and Smash Records and continues recording new music today, including their latest tune, "Large Time", which was released in September 2011.
Gates open Friday at 6:00. The concert begins at 7:30. The cost: $28 for Arts Council members; $30 for non-membes; and $280 for a table and tickets for eight. Rain date - August 9.
Swingin' Medallions perform at an earlier concert at the Arts Council amphitheater in Gainesville.
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