Greensburg's SummerSounds raising money to book Russian Chicago cover band

A Chicago cover band could come from Moscow to Greensburg this summer — if a GoFundMe campaign set up by SummerSounds organizers can raise enough money to make it happen.

Concert series chairman Gene James said he’s been a fan of the Russian band Leonid and Friends for years, but SummerSounds has never had the budget to book them.

“I can’t afford to fly 11 guys from Moscow to Greensburg,” James said.

He got his chance this year. The band had its first U.S. tour in January and will be back this summer.

However, the booking fee is about $8,000, which is more expensive than usual SummerSounds acts.

The free concert series at St. Clair Park has fewer sponsors than usual this year, James said.

“SummerSounds’ budget this year is quite low for bands,” he said.

The series has a $32,500 budget to book 13 free concerts, an average of $2,500 per act, James said.

That’s where the GoFundMe campaign comes in. Organizers are looking for $10,000 to cover Leonid and Friends’ cost.

James thinks it’s worth it to bring the band to Greensburg.

“Once people see them, they’re going to go crazy,” he said.

Cover acts are always the most popular shows at SummerSounds, and the Russian musicians’ are renowned for their pitch-perfect recreations of Chicago hits, James said.

“I think it’s a fantastic band, and I think it’s the crown jewel in SummerSounds,” he said.

Leonid and Friends’ music videos on YouTube have millions of views.

“They were just some guys who played Chicago songs for the fun of it,” James said. “And then they started posting videos of them playing Chicago songs for the fun of it.”

SummerSounds is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, organizers plan for almost all of this year’s concerts to feature performers who have played in Greensburg before.

James hopes Leonid and Friends will be the sole exception.

The GoFundMe campaign has raised $366 of it’s $10,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.

If SummerSounds can raise enough money, Leonid and Friends would play at St. Clair Park on June 28.