Shake on it

COEUR d'ALENE - As the crowd sang, clapped and even danced to "She Loves You," Chris Guggemos grinned and even shuffled his feet a little himself at Sherman Square Park.

The Beatles tribute band, "Meet Revolver" had just put the cap on the 19th season of free concerts organized by Handshake Productions. The Aug. 24 show was a nostalgic trip back in time for many.

"It was a good way to end the season," Guggemos said.

All told, Guggemos put on 27 concerts this year at Coeur d'Alene City Park, Hayden City Park, Rathdrum City Park and Sherman park.

It was, as usual, a mix of music, with country, blues, Celtic and big band.

"I tried to bring a little bit of everything. Somebody at some point is going to say, 'That's my kind of music,'" Guggemos said.

Meet Revolver was the last to perform.

"They're crowd favorites," he said. "I try to begin and end each location with a band that will bring the crowd out."

While the music was good, the fundraising to cover the concerts was a challenge.

He said he ended up almost exactly the same monetary wise as he did in 2009. He was still signing on sponsors with just weeks to the first show.

"It took so many more phone calls and the sponsors arrived so much later," he said.

But the sound of music made it all worth it.

Guggemos said he's often stopped in stores by people who tell him how much they enjoy the concerts.

"That's very satisfying," he said, then adding, "this is how I keep the lights on."

Already, he is working on raising funds for next year's concerts, and is planning some dances to help. And he wants to bring in bands with wide appeal.

"The music is always good, but some people are not up for rhythm and blues," he said.

Guggemos did learn something new this year: He's no Cliff Harris.

June was a wet month, and there was one outside concert he considered changing the venue, but didn't, believing the clouds would veer away.

They didn't. It rained. People were not happy.

A friend told him, "Chris, this is the digital age. You don't look at the clouds to predict the weather."

At least not any longer.

Now, Guggemos checks the Weather Channel.

"It's funny it took me this long to get in the groove," he said, laughing.