Summer is always a time for fun and all things country; country music that is.

WKML 95.7 has stuck by the slogan “Today’s Country” for more than a decade. On July 16, the  station is set to host its first New Artist Showcase in the parking lot of the Crown Complex. Artists such as country duo LoCash, Drake White and the band Outshyne will be perform, bringing the sounds of summer to Fayetteville. This is the first in a series that will bring a new round of entertainers to the area while showing the community a good time.

Locash is a country music duo consisting of Chris Lucas and Preston Brust. The pair co-wrote Keith Urban’s single “You Gonna Fly” and Tim McGraws single “Truck Yeah.” Drak White debuted on the charts with his 2013 song “It Feels Good.” Not just a singer but a song writer, too, White has opened up for acts like Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Outshyne was formed in 2007 when a group of high school friends got together to sing. Their debut album Startin’ Over  is currently receiving rave reviews from critics. Outshyne continues to put out singles that climbs the charts.

While music is at the center of this event, there will be plenty of activities and vendors to make the day memorable. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the fun with games and multiple food trucks. Other activities include dancing and onstage contests that fit the good natured and entertaining spirit of WKML. 

As the community’s country music station, WKML is always looking for ways to engage the community and bring that sweet country sound its listeners love a little closer to home. \

Ashley Wilson, radio personality at WKML said, “We just want to remind people we can have a great time locally. I love country music and I especially enjoy it when I don’t have to travel far for a great time.” 

Bringing fresh talent to the area is something the station sees as an opportunity not just to have a good time but to reach out to listeners and make the entertainment a little more personal. 

“With this being the first of our summer series we are using this as a test run. We hope to make this an event something we have every year,” she said. 

Don’t let the warm weather slow things down. There will be refreshing activities and entertainment throughout the event that will keep the audience cool no matter how hot the music gets. 

“This event, although a showcase, we are also calling it a parking lot party or beer garden. We are expected to have different activities to help cool off due to the hot weather,” said Wilson.

The parking lot parties will be apart of a series of events each month of summer leading into fall. Each parking lot party, of course, will have a different twist and be led by WKMLs signature slogan “Todays Country.”

Tickets are $10 and are on sale now. The gates open at 6 p.m., and music will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for all-access members of WKML and Crown Insiders. Tickets are available at the Crown Complex Box Office or online at www.crowncomplexnc.com. Find out more about this event at http://wkml.com/events/wkmls-parking-lot-party.