Click here to be added to our e-newsletter list and receive School of Performing Arts information about upcoming events, including the Summer Arts Festival.

Redd Volkaert Band
Friday, June 13, 2025
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Henderson Lawn
Free
In the event of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. 

From country and western swing to jazz and rock, Redd Volkaert is considered a true giant of country music and the Telecaster guitar. Redd is a Grammy winner and a guitar-playing legend who is renowned throughout the country music world and beyond. Volkaert once played in Merle Haggard’s backing band The Strangers in the spot previously manned by Roy Nichols. In addition, he has recorded and performed with a who’s who of country music stars such as George Jones, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens, Alison Krauss, Bill Kirchen, and many more.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Redd spent more than a decade in Nashville, playing with the likes of Ray Price, The Statler Brothers, and eventually behind Merle Haggard. Volkaert moved to Austin, Texas, where he lived for some 20 years, including performing at Austin’s famed Continental Club every weekend.

From western-swing to jazz and rock, Redd is considered an icon on the Telecaster with numerous guitar models named after him. In addition to his seamless ability to conjure up a vast array of complex guitar styles, Redd is beloved for his trademark wit and sense of humor. Redd now lives in Galax, Virginia, and performs internationally in addition to his residency at The Floyd Country Store in Floyd, Virginia.

Join us for other Friday Night Outdoor Concerts:
May 23 Corey Harris
May 30 Blacksburg Community Band
June 6 Solacoustix
June 20 Root Down
June 27 Cinémathèque
July 11 Music Road Co
July 18 Paul McDonald & the Mourning Doves
July 25 Jsop Latin Soul

Friday Night Outdoor Concerts on Henderson Lawn are presented by Virginia Tech and the Town of Blacksburg as part of the 2025 Summer Arts Festival.  All events are free. For more information, contact Ariana Wyatt at ariana1@vt.edu.

Bathrooms are available at the Squires Student Center. Squires will close at 8 p.m. on Friday nights.

Visitors to the Blacksburg campus Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. will need to display a parking permit, utilize the ParkMobile app, pay the daily charge for a pass, or pay for parking using an hourly meter. A range of parking options can be found here. Town of Blacksburg street parking is free every day after 5 p.m., and all day Sundays and holidays. Find out more about Blacksburg parking here. Ride the bus! Blacksburg Transit is fare free.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Ariana Wyatt at ariana1@vt.edu at least 10 business days prior to the event.