Entering its 10th year, the unlikely success story thrives on variety and quality musicianship
Since July 2016, the Lakeside Music Series has presented quality musicians playing a range of musical genres to receptive audiences in a charming, laid-back setting.
Necessity is the mother of invention
When the Lakeside Music Series started on Friday, July 8, 2016, no one was looking ahead ten years. The event’s name, “Lakeside Summer Music Series,” betrayed organizers’ doubts. Who knew if the shows would last into the fall. But almost immediately, the live music outdoors struck a chord with area music lovers.
Lakeside merchants needed a spark in 2016. The young community had not yet reached scale and offered only few places to eat, like Paradise Bistro and Carvao Prime Brazilian Steak House. No restaurant was operating in the space now occupied by Mio Nonno Trattoria. Starbucks had just opened. It would be two years or more before Elora Flower Mound and Overture Flower Mound welcomed a new influx of residents.
What sets us apart is the wide variety of performers.
— Michael Clay, producer | Lakeside Music Series
The setting, a patch of grass between shops, restaurants, apartments buildings, and a movie theater, proved charming. But initially, the treeless spot threatened heat strokes for performers and attendees alike. Fortunately, Lakeside’s master developer, Jimmy Archie, had preserved trees for the plaza. Workers planted six mature trees, including four large live oaks, only days before the first performance.
Expert emerges
But what did a group of suburban merchants know about launching a music event? Nothing, save for one.
In the Box Pack & Ship owner and operator Mercy Little was no ordinary small businessperson. She had recently left her position as vice president of client services for the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau to start her business. With years of experience in event planning at DCVB, she provided a calm guiding hand to the fledgling event.
Little made a sterling selection for the event’s booking agent: Michael Clay, co-founder and executive director of Texas Music Project. Well connected in the North Texas music community, Clay brought to the Lakeside stage a level of talent and a range of musical genres that won a loyal following. Live music outdoors on Friday nights never sounded so good; and the price was right (free). Audiences were genuinely appreciative.
“Booking and developing the Lakeside DFW Music Series for the past ten years has given me a unique opportunity to showcase the heartbeat of North Texas music. What sets the music series apart is the wide variety of performers — every genre under the sun — the stunning backdrop, and something for everyone. Best of all it’s free!
“From April to November,” he added, “every Friday night becomes a celebration thanks to top-tier local talent, a family-friendly vibe, and a management team that truly understands the power of live music in building community.”
An impressive evolution
Outstanding performers at the Lakeside Music Series
Click below to see videos of the following artists on stage in Music Series Plaza.
In recent years, the Lakeside Music Series has hosted several acts of national significance. Rosana Eckert, principal lecturer of jazz voice at UNT and an internationally known vocalist, arranger, and composer, performed in 2023 and 2024.
Monte Montgomery played Lakeside in May of 2024. Guitar Player Magazine named him one of the “Top 50 All-Time Greatest Guitar Players” and Montgomery won the “Best Acoustic Guitar Player” Award at the Austin Chronicle‘s Austin Music Awards seven years in a row. Montgomery donated much of his normal fee to the Texas Music Project, which helps heal hospitalized children through music.
Manny Trevino takes the stage on April 4, at 7:30 pm. Wyatt Martin, Jon Christopher Davis, and Chant Duplantier round out the April schedule.
The male-dominated first month will be rebalanced in May, starting with the alt-rock band Almost Jaded (featuring Amy Kathleen). They will be followed by Sarah & Josh Goode, The Vintage Yell, Chet Stevens, and Remy Reilly.
