Meredith couple continues tradition of free, outdoor concerts for 6th year

MEREDITH — Kitty and Kevin Boyle started hosting outdoor open mics during the summer of 2020, because they loved music, and wanted to give local musicians somewhere to perform. Now, community members approach them in Walmart, to ask when their summer concerts will start again.

The Boyles will begin their sixth Meredith Music by the Lake series starting Friday, June 5. The free, outdoor open mic concert series is at 6 p.m. every Friday night, through Labor Day weekend, at Hesky Park, overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee.

“There’s an extraordinary number of really talented people in the Lakes Region,” Kitty said. “So, this is kind of a showcase for local talent.”

The free concerts are open to the public, and people are often seen bringing their own chairs, food and picnic blankets. There's no advanced registration required for performers: musicians can sign up a half hour before the show, or simply show up and ask to perform.

“Open mics are [usually held] in a business or a commercial venue. But here, with us, the focus is just on the music,” Kevin said. “We don't ask people to contribute anything.”

Kitty and Kevin, both originally from western Massachusetts, have been married for 61 years. The couple moved to New Hampshire, in 1968, and live in Meredith. Now retired, the couple did not work in the music industry, but both developed a love for music at a young age.

“I've always sung with my family, we were all singers,” Kitty said. “Kevin's mother played the piano, and wanted them to take lessons, and he wouldn't. But in college, he decided that it was cool to play an instrument.”

The Boyles have hosted amateur open mics for several years, and started Meredith Music by the Lake because of COVID-19 pandemic.

“All of the venues closed, so we looked for an alternative,” Kevin said. “We zeroed in on Hesky Park, and we went to the town, and convinced them that it would be a wise thing to do.”

The open mics started with just the Boyles' friends in the audience, with musicians they knew personally. Over the years, word spread throughout the community. Now, they have, on average, 12 performers each night, with audiences as big as 100.

“We have people that look forward to this [every] summer,” Kitty said. “We meet people on the street who will say, ‘Are you gonna be back this year?’ We've certainly noticed that we [now] have regular audience, and that's very heartwarming.”

Though the Boyles chose the outdoor venue primarily because of the pandemic, they’ve kept the open mics outside, because they’ve found it was a way to “relax and connect with the outdoors."

“We have families that come and bring a big picnic. Other people just bring snacks and relax by the lake. Music is a wonderful way to relax,” Kitty said.

“It's an extraordinary place to spend time right by the lake in the early evening,” Kevin said.

The concerts have gained a community following, and the Boyles welcome new audience members and musicians every week.

“Every concert is different. We never get to the same cast of characters,” Kevin said. “Occasionally, we'll get somebody who’s here visiting from Tennessee, or California. So, you never know who's gonna show up.”

The Boyles encourage people to come to the concerts, because they're events where the community can “get together for a good time.”

“We're very welcoming, and non-judgmental. All ages are welcome,” Kitty said. “It's very supportive, it's just plain fun.”

The first Meredith Music by the Lake open mic is at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 5, at 327 Daniel Webster Hwy. Those who wish to perform should arrive at 5:30 p.m. to sign up.

For more information, visit the Meredith Music by the Lake Facebook page at facebook.com/share/g/1CN8QJdnQ9.