Voices drifting through the air on a slight breeze, summer sunshine warm on the skin, the soft feel of grass beneath bare feet as people dance in the park, strangers becoming friends through shared lyrical love and moments of joy.

Tying it all together: The music.

“The mission, for me, it’s 100% about coming together, being together and being unified," Koep Concerts owner and operator Michael Koep said Wednesday morning.

"If I can do something to bring people together, especially in these divisive times, music is the alchemy. Music is the magic.”

That magic will once again envelop the community when the Koep Concerts free concert series returns to McEuen Park, Coeur d'Alene City Park and McIntire Family Park this summer.

The season will commence July 8 with Music at McEuen, starring the Rhythm Dawgs.

"They're opening it up for us, which is kind of a tradition," Koep said.

As the Rhythm Dawgs open the 2026 summer concert season, the popular local rock group will also celebrate a big milestone.

"It's our 40th year of being a band," bass guitar player and original member Jim Lien said. "I'm so excited. I'm not only so excited about being in the band, but I'm also so excited about the event."

In his fourth year at the helm, Koep is looking forward to another summer of free concerts in North Idaho, a tradition he is carrying on after the death of Chris Guggemos in 2022. Guggemos, known as the "Music Man," launched the free summer concerts with Handshake Productions more than 30 years ago.

Koep took up the mantle in 2023, never letting the summer music lapse.

Lien, who has served on the Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation Commission since 1990, said he is happy that McEuen has developed into a place where people of all ages can enjoy time to play, watch a sunset or enjoy a live band.

"That park is in the middle of tourist center and that park is for the local folks, at the base of Tubbs Hill," he said. "To create an opportunity for people to come here for free is just amazing, a great night."

The Rhythm Dawgs will be changing up their musical lineup this year, as well as bringing on Ron Greene as a new lead singer. Lien and his bandmates are excited to start their 40th year, especially as the summer shows continue through Koep Concerts.

"Mike Koep is doing a terrific job. They got the right guy in the right spot," Lien said. "He’s leading the charge on music culture in Coeur d'Alene."

Koep, 57, a fourth-generation Coeur d’Alene resident, has been a musician his whole life. He and his band, PSILY, have a reservations-only residency Tuesdays in the Iron Horse dining room. Reservations for the free shows can be made by calling 619-892-5018.

“This show has exceeded my expectations on what could be possible at the very center of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on a Tuesday night from 6 to 9 p.m.," Koep said. "It has been capacity sold out since March of 2025. Every single show.”

Koep said the reason he is still in the music scene — and loves it — is to elevate, to inspire, to entertain, “and to bring people together. That’s definitely the thing.” 

“I believe that the meaning of life is to help each other, and that’s it," he said. "If Koep Concerts can maintain that, to help each other to come together, that’s our one thing, then that’s what we got to keep doing."

Music at McEuen will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, gates open at 4 p.m. The Hayden Summer Concert Series will open at 6 p.m. July 9 in McIntire Family Park, continuing Thursdays through the summer from 6 to 8:30 p.m. City Park Shows will commence July 12 at the Rotary Bandshell in Coeur d'Alene City Park, taking place from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Artists and bands of all stripes and sounds will perform.

“We have Paper Flowers again, remembering Fleetwood Mac,” Koep said. “They were absolutely wonderful last year, we had to have them back. I’m a huge fan.”

Blues and rock musician Sammy Eubanks will play, the '80s tribute band Gigawatt will perform and PSILY will have a show at the end of the season.

“We also have a band out of Seattle called the Hipsters," Koep said. "One of the members is living here now, so he’s bringing his band over to be a part of the community. They’re really great."

A new feature will be introduced this concert season at McEuen.

“We are going to have private 'bungalows' for rent,” Koep said. “This is the first announcement."

These tents will be available to rent for the whole season, offering seating and a little private bar for bungalow renters. Email Koep at [email protected] for details.

In true community fashion, it takes a village to keep costs down. A big part of that village of support is sponsorships.

“I’m not relying on ticket sales," Koep said. "I’m relying completely on our incredible community of sponsors, our business community that gets in line behind me so that we can do these shows for free.”

STCU will be the presenting sponsor for Koep Concerts' Music at McEuen for the second consecutive year, although the credit union has been a supporter since Koep took over the concerts. Senior Vice President of Marketing Amy Warker said STCU is excited and proud to be a partner in this community-focused concert series.

"It's just an extension of our commitment to the arts and culture community and the community large," Warker said. "We’re not only creating this gathering place; it’s also an amazing support for the businesses downtown."

She said STCU loves how its support helps provide free access for anyone in the community.

"It helps us create a sense of belonging and a sense of community, which is so important for all of us," Warker said. "Our brand promise is, 'Here for good." For us to be here for good, lift up the good and shine a light on the arts and local talent, it's a good thing. We need that more than ever right now."

View the 2026 concert lineup: koepconcerts.com

    Music at McEuen will return for the summer July 8, followed by the Hayden Summer Concert Series opening July 9 and City Park Shows commencing July 12.

    Music brings people together during a past Koep Concerts Music at McEuen show. This year's concert series launches July 8.
  

  

SIDEBAR/INFOBOX

Koep Concerts will host a mobile show in the parking lot of the Long Ear from 2 to 7 p.m. June 28 as the community bids farewell to its one and only record store. The Long Ear, which has been an institution of the local music community since it opened in Coeur d'Alene in 1985, will close July 3.