It’s a “Throwback Sunday” featuring oldies but goodies when the fiery Lightning Bugs hit the De Smet Event Center stage on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m.

Be ready to listen to classics from the Big Band era with the Bugs, whose hallmark is their three-part vocal harmony along with their expertise with the guitars, bass and drums. They will take you back to when the big bands were blowing, the dance floors were crowded and the Mills Brothers helped everyone fall in love.

The Lightning Bugs use smooth vocal harmonies and tasteful instrumental styling to pay respect to such masters as Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Ink Spots, and they even play an occasional western tune to fill out the show.

Jim Pipher is the lead singer and plays bass. He is joined by Reynold Peterson singing and playing the snare drum and Steve Hanson, an award-winning banjo player and multi-instrumentalist, who is featured on his guitar.

Hailing from Lincoln, Neb., the group has a long history of playing together since the early 1980’s. They have been a large part of the Nebraska music scene as they have played together or individually with several bands, such as the Fab Tones, inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame. They appear regularly as part of the Nebraska Arts Council Touring Artists roster. Their newest recording is entitled Glow.

When asked how the group got their name, Jim Pipher said, “The three of us got together to play for an outdoor concert and as we were finishing, a lightning bug flew by. The concert had been well received so we thought that was a good sign and took the name on.”

This brings the 2022 De Smet Area Concert Series to a close. The 2023 Concert Series Performances will be announced in December.

Individual concert tickets for the Lightning Bugs are available. Reserve your ticket by calling the Event Center, 605-854-6060.