Spread the word to end the “R” word during tonight's Keyes concert

Tonight's final summer concert series concert in Keyes Park features the Carbondale group The Swamp Tigers from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It also celebrates the work of the Bill Asbury family to "Spread the Word to End the (R) Word." Mayor Rex Duncan and our schools have championed the family's work to take the word "retarded" out of our vocabulary. You will hear about the "Spread the Word" campaign between songs and can sign and take the pledge. Mayor Duncan took the opportunity at Monday's council meeting to personally thank organizer Dane Mason for producing the concerts, an idea that began on Facebook.

Mason said it takes between $3,000 and $4,000 to produce the month of concerts. He thanked the bands and those involved.

The Swamp Tigers are a group out of Carbondale that have a very unique sound that lends itself to a high energy show.

The Swamp Tigers actually got their name from a dream that a previous member had. He dreamt of the name and the band and convinced the other members that they should name the band The Swamp Tigers.

The Current members, Andrew Staff, Blake Bramlett, and Zach Kemp, play rockabilly country but actually began as a heavy metal band. Their hearts have always been in country music though and their music just evolved from heavy metal to the rockabilly they play now. The band has been influenced by Wayne Hancock, VR549, and surf music and it is very easy to hear those influences during a show. The band prides themselves on providing a high energy show with very few, if any breaks. Fans of rockabilly, country, dance, and older country should definitely make it out to see The Swamp Tigers.