Rochester, MN
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201 4th St. SE
Suite 170
Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-328-2200
TTY/TDD: More Information
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Riverside Music Series
Live Music. Big Names. No Tickets.
Est. 1992
Thank you to the thousands of fans, the musicians, and our partners who made the 2025 season unforgettable!
Save the dates - we'll be back in July and August 2026 with another five weeks of free concerts in the park. Lineup announcement coming spring 2026.
For more than 30 years, the Riverside Music Series has brought big-name bands and big summer energy to Mayo Park on Sunday nights.
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Planning Your Visit
At the Park
Activities & Extras
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Highlights from 2025
- Family activities: New in 2025, guests could stop by the Rochester Art Center’s patio for low-key, drop-in fun. Each week included a rotating mix of bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and other kid-friendly play items.
- First-time performers: All five headliners were new to the Riverside stage this year, including Blind Melon, Caylee Hammack, and Hoobastank.
Follow @rochesterpublicmusic on Instagram or Rochester Public Music on Facebook for updates.
Gear Daddies
@Riverside Concerts Presents
- Date: 02/15/2018 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
- Location: Mayo Civic Center - Presentation Hall
30 Civic Center Dr. SE
Rochester, Minnesota 55904 - Introduction: Americana/Rock band originally from Austin, MN who became an integral part of the Twin Cities roots music scene of the late '80s. “I Wanna Drive the Z
- Intro Text Tickets: $23 • $21 (Members) -- Americana/Rock band originally from Austin, MN who became an integral part of the Twin Cities roots music scene of the late '80s. “I Wanna Drive the Zamboni" is arguably the band’s best-known song, having been featured in the movies D2: The Mighty Ducks and Mystery, Alaska, and on the show Malcolm in the Middle. It's also a staple at hockey games throughout North America and Europe. Other fan favorites include “Stupid Boy”, “Color of Her Eyes”, & “Drank So Much”.
- Ticket Url https://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/music-riverside-concerts/events/tickets/-fsiteid-1
- Artist Website URL http://www.geardaddies.com/
- OpenerSix Mile Grove | http://sixmilegrove.com/
ON SALE: NOW!
Tickets: $23 • $21 (Members) -- On Thursday, February 15 at 7:30PM in the Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall, an evening of Minnesota music from GEAR DADDIES with special guests SIX MILE GROVE. Sponsored by: MLT GROUP & KXLT FOX 47
GEAR DADDIES is an Americana/Rock band originally from Austin, Minnesota. Members Martin Zellar (electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals), Nick Ciola (bass), Randy Broughten (electric and pedal steel guitar) and James “Billy” Dankert (drums and vocals), played their first shows together in 1984. Between 1986 and 1992, the band released three popular albums and became an important part of the Twin Cities music scene. Many of the fan’s favorite songs (“Stupid Boy”, “Color of Her Eyes”, “She’s Happy”, “Drank So Much” and many others) are credited to the exceptionally passionate writing skills possessed by Zellar, however Dankert has also contributed some of the compositions , including "Time Heals", and “Blues Mary”.
Their most notable mainstream success was when they played "Stupid Boy" on Late Night with David Letterman in 1991. Zellar had this to say of the experience: "I was so nervous, and it all happened so quickly. I couldn't tell you what the hell happened. I got done, and I was walking back and said to Randy (Broughten), 'Did I sing all the words? Did I do that?' When I watched it that night in the hotel room I had no recollection of having lived it."
Arguably, Zellar’s “I Wanna Drive the Zamboni" is the band’s best-known song, having been featured in the movies D2: The Mighty Ducks and Mystery, Alaska, as well as on the television program Malcolm in the Middle. It's also a staple at hockey games throughout North America and Europe.
GEAR DADDIES have been mentioned as an influence on a number of bands that emerged in the Upper Midwest in the late 1980s through the 1990s, including : The Billy's, Violet, Shoot Lucy, Dazy Head Mazy, Groundhouse and Six Mile Grove.
Currently, in addition to their respective individual pursuits, the guys of GEAR DADDIES reunite several times a year to perform throughout the Midwest.- WATCH & LISTEN
SIX MILE GROVE -- It all started in the small town of Lyle, MN (pop. 500) with a skid loader and a fence post, when Six Mile Grove frontman Brandon Sampson was 7 years old. He injured his hand when helping his dad on the family farm. The physician recommended guitar playing for rehabilitation, and a few weeks later, Sampson came home from the music store with a new guitar. His younger brother Brian threw a fit, and was appeased with a shiny drum set. And so the seeds of Six Mile Grove were planted.
The brothers spent years pounding away on their instruments in the kitchen of their great grandmother’s old house, as well as singing in church with their mom, an organist and devoted music lover. Soon Brian’s friend Barry, from across the woods, wanted to join the noise, and so his years of piano lessons began paying off. The boys realized they would need a bass player, put an ad in the paper, and dug up Dezi Wallace from the “big city” of Austin, MN, who arrived courtesy of his mom, as he did not yet have a driver’s license.
Fast forward 20 years, and Six Mile Grove has a lot to be proud of. They have weathered the ever changing music scene as a primarily self-managed, self-produced, and self-recorded band. Their music has evolved accordingly, as an organic, honest voice that has not been tinkered with or tainted by the lure of record labels or flashy music producers. You’re sure to find influences of Minnesota music’s founding fathers; from Bob Dylan to the Jayhawks. Six Mile Grove honors it’s roots, but has also managed to forge it’s own sound and space on a stage without compromise. In addition, their friendship, touring and recording with legendary Johnny Cash guitarist Bob Wootton, has lent even more distinctly to their “good all-American boy” sound and style. - WATCH & LISTEN
GEAR DADDIES with special guests SIX MILE GROVE...Thursday, February 15th in the newly renovated Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall featuring a 2.2 million dollar transformational upgrade that includes acoustician approved room treatments and sound system, beautiful new stage lighting, and new seating that is significantly more comfortable.
Tickets available at Riverside Concerts in City Hall (walk-in or by phone, no handling fees), the Mayo Civic Center Box Office (walk-in, no handling fees), and Ticketmaster (online). Memberships and ticket packages can be purchased through Riverside Concerts only. Order by phone at 507-328-2200 or 800-657-3980 or in person at 201 4th St. SE, Suite 170 (City Hall). Group rates available.
Listen and watch
Listen to the 2025 Season Sampler: Relive 2025's lineup with our curated Spotify playlist.
Alumni Playlist
Explore the artists who’ve helped shape Riverside over the years with our curated Spotify mix.
What is the Riverside Music Series?
This short video captures the spirit of the series.
Additional information
See below for answers to frequently asked questions.
Supporters & Partners
The Riverside Music Series is funded primarily by the City of Rochester. Support from sponsors, funders, and community partners helps us grow the series, welcome more people, and keep the music free and accessible for all.
2026 sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit our Supporters & Partners page or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov to learn more.
2025 Funding Partners
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Title Sponsor since 2008
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Grant Support
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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2025 Media Partners
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Minnesota 97.5
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Quick Country 96.5
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Y-105 FM
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2025 Family Activity Partner
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Rochester Art Center
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City Partners
We’re also grateful to Rochester Parks & Recreation, Rochester Public Works, the Rochester Police Department, and the Mayo Civic Center for their partnership and support.