National Recording Act HiFi Headlines Corry’s 160th Anniversary Celebration Concert

CORRY — A last-minute venue change won’t stop one of Corry’s biggest summer celebrations.

MDG Productions and Channel 98.9, Corry’s Modern Rock, are partnering to present the Corry 160th Anniversary Celebration Concert on Saturday, July 18. While the event was originally planned for another location, organizers announced the concert will now be held at Corry Moose Lodge 98, 332 E. Washington St. The lineup, schedule and festivities will remain unchanged. HiFi will take the stage at 3 p.m.

The all-day event will feature a mix of local musicians alongside national recording act HiFi, whose single, “She’s My Girl,” climbed to No. 1 on Channel 98.9’s playlist earlier this year.

For HiFi founder Gary Lefkowith, making the trip to Corry is about more than another stop on the calendar.

“The reason I’m coming to Corry is two reasons,” Lefkowith said during a recent interview with Channel 98.9’s program director, Brian Silvis. “I’m from Pennsylvania, and you guys and the audience made us number one. I’d walk there if I had to.”

Originally from Reading, Lefkowith has spent decades in the music business as a songwriter, producer and promoter. He has worked extensively with music legend Chubby Checker, helping co-write and co-produce the Billboard No. 1 dance hit “Knock Down the Walls” and several other projects.

Sharing the stage with him is guitarist Richie Scarlet, whose career has included performing with former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley as well as Sebastian Bach, the former lead singer of Skid Row. Together, the veteran musicians have built HiFi into a modern rock band that blends classic influences with contemporary production.

Lefkowith said the band’s connection with Corry began unexpectedly.

“I’ve never had a radio station call me to tell me my song was already number one,” he said. “That was a thrill.”

That relationship ultimately grew into an invitation to perform during Corry’s 160th anniversary celebration.

“It’s been about the communication and the love with the audience,” Lefkowith said. “The only thing that I hope for is that everybody loves what we’re doing and that they have a great time.”

The concert is the vision of local promoter Michael D. Ginn, owner of MDG Productions, who said the idea grew from a desire to help strengthen the local music scene.

“I’ve loved music my entire life,” Ginn said. “After spending years working in the concert industry and attending hundreds of concerts, I wanted to bring that experience home.”

Ginn said the slowdown in live entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to create events that showcase local musicians while also bringing nationally recognized performers to the area.

That vision came together earlier this year after Channel 98.9 Program Director Brian Silvis mentioned that Lefkowith had expressed interest in visiting Corry after learning the band’s music had become a local hit.

“That phone call with Gary really brought everything together,” Ginn said. “It felt like the perfect opportunity to celebrate Corry’s 160th anniversary while highlighting our local music community.”

Ginn said attendees can expect a full day of entertainment.

“People can expect a great day of fun and music,” he said. “There will be outstanding performances from local bands along with our co-headliners, HiFi and Knuckle Down. Add in great local food vendors, and it’s going to be a wonderful way to celebrate Corry.”

Music begins at 11 a.m. and continues throughout the day.

In addition to co-headliners HiFi and Corry’s own Knuckle Down, the lineup includes Emerald, Jimmy Aikens and Dave Phelps Acoustics. Like HiFi, Knuckle Down also has a strong connection to Channel 98.9. The band’s song “Cloudy” reached No. 1 on the station in 2018 and finished No. 3 overall in the Channel 98.9 Top 98 of 2018 year-end countdown.

Visitors will also be able to purchase food from Ploss’ Lunchbox and Twisted Sisters throughout the event.

Lefkowith said HiFi also plans to give away a guitar signed by the members of the band during the celebration.

Admission to the concert is by donation.

The event is made possible through the support of local sponsors, including Corry Collision Center, Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Corry Higher Education Council, Dai Salon, Dundon Accounting, Corner Bar and Grillz, Winger Suites and Phelps Plumbing, LLC.

For organizers, however, the event represents something larger than a day of music.

As Corry celebrates its 160th anniversary, they hope the concert serves as a reminder of what can happen when local businesses, musicians, volunteers and community organizations work together to create something memorable.

For Lefkowith, the performance is also a chance to thank the listeners who helped introduce HiFi to a new audience.

“It’s the music,” he said. “It’s the communication and the love with the audience. That’s what it’s always been about.”