Rocking with 7 at 7

As the COVID-19 pandemic wore its way into the early months of summer, Jerry Besser was a little worried the annual 11 at 7 concert series held at Central Park in Owatonna might be at stake.
“With everyone shut in because of COVID, I said we need to get something going,” he recalled. “We downsized from 11 concerts to 7 and delayed the start of the season, we started in July after we saw Faribault started there’s.”
Despite the virus, Besser had no problem wrangling up a variety of music acts. “At first we kind of scrambled to get things together, but these bands are anxious to perform, they want to get out just like anyone else,” he explained.
“Everybody’s enjoying it and our attendance has been a little bit better because there’s not a lot going on and people want to get out and enjoy the outside,” Besser said. “Everybody’s been very responsible and they’re spreading out quite a bit.”
Besser said that he estimates attendance to be anywhere from 90 to 150 people, well within the state’s guidelines. “There’s plenty of space in Central Park people to social distance,” he said.
This year’s lineup features an assortment of fun bands from a funk band, to a jazz band, to blues, country and rock, there’s something for everyone. Last week’s featured band was the Barefoot Winos, a blues outfit while this week’s will be the CBB Jazz Combo.
“Owatonna has a strong music tradition and a strong music program in schools,” Besser mused. “We try to get a nice variety so that people can pick and choose which ones to come to. I had people come up to me and express their gratitude that we got the concerts going.”
This year, especially, people need music to soothe their souls. “It’s always rewarding when people come up to offer their thanks for bringing a specific group,” Besser said. “We try to bring in groups with a local connection.”
“I’ve been having a very good response from the community as far as sponsorships goes,” he explained. “That’s a tribute to the businesses and individuals who know how valuable live music is to the community.”
This year’s sponsors include: Owatonna Shoe, State Rep. John Petersburg, State Sen. John Jasinski, Tone Music, Mayor Kuntz-the City Council and Administrator, Kottke Jewelers, Walt and Joan Spindler, Remax Venture, Central Park Framing and Finds, and Old Town Bagels.
“One thing that was cool is that we individuals step up,” Besser said of the myriad of sponsorships that helped him put on the concerts. “It’s neat and encouraging for individuals to step up and keep the music going.”
Besser, who owns Tone Music in Owatonna, has been organizing the summer concert series for around 20 years. “I enjoy it and I’ve been doing it for so many years that I’ve lost count,” he quipped.
This month is Besser’s 30th anniversary of owning Tone Music, which has been in the community for 50 years. “It’s something where I never regret coming to work,” he said. “During this time, for peace of mind musicians like to play their instruments.”
Thanks to Besser and the local sponsors who stepped up, local residents can enjoy a variety of fun music acts while getting a chance to get their mind off the current pandemic. “It’s a safe environment,” he explained.
The 7 at 7 summer concert series continues this week with a jazz band. The concerts will be held every Thursday at 7 p.m. in Central Park in Owatonna. The final concert will be held on Thursday, Aug. 20.