Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series has announced its first confirmed show for summer 2015.

Modern blues and rock singer, songwriter, guitarist and recording artist Jonny Lang will perform at the Howelsen Hill Amphitheater Friday, July 10. Although this is not the first concert of the series, it is the first confirmed act.

“Things really fell into place with getting him here,” said John Waldman, of Great Knight Productions and co-founder and promoter of the Free Summer Concert Series. “He is a really strong name for the series.”

With a talent beyond his years, the Fargo, North Dakota, native’s career began at 13. Even at that young age, Lang was compared to a blues veteran for his unusual voice and guitar solos.

Lang has toured with the Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy, Aerosmith, B.B. King, Blues Traveler, Jeff Beck and Sting, and he has performed with Eric Clapton.

Lang also made a cameo appearance in the film “Blues Brothers 2000” as a janitor. According to the 33-year-old’s extensive bio, he has five albums that charted on the top 50 of the Billboard 200 chart. In addition, he won a Grammy award for his 2006 album, “Turn Around.”

“His music is such a unique mix from blues, rock or even gospel,” said Ashley Waters, event director at the Chief Theater and longtime Lang fan. “It’s so exciting to have such a huge talent and big name come here, especially with the summer concert series.”

Trying to get Lang booked for the series was a challenge in the past, Waldman said.

“Booking a good blues act like him is the type of genre we are looking for,” said Coleman Cook, president of the Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert series board president. “We heard from fans that they wanted to see someone like him, and the opportunity presented itself.”

Cook also explained that the board was proactive in getting a big name to Steamboat despite the competition from other music festivals throughout Colorado in the summertime.

For the rest of the series, Cook said the board hopes to book acts of this caliber with the community’s support.

One of the ways to encourage that support is through the Free Summer Concert Series second annual fundraiser set for 6 p.m. Friday, March 27 at the Chief Theater. The event will feature live music from local bands, food and drinks.

Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door on the night of the event.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1