Common Ground playing Ellwood plaza stage

ELLWOOD CITY ― On Saturday, Common Ground comes to the Ellwood City Community Plaza Stage with its focus on folk rock from the 1970s.

The group composed of Jeff Wiley, Jerry Rectenwald and Todd Wehr have been making music together since the late 1980s as performers and friends.

Wiley said the group started so long ago that he can't remember why they called themselves Common Ground.

"We are all about the acoustic sound and three-part harmony," he said.

For the plaza performance, the group has added Wiley's brother Frank Jay Wiley of Ellwood City on bass guitar and Jeff Kerr of Pittsburgh on drums.

"Just for a little more depth of sound," Jeff Wiley said.

Wiley, musician/songwriter, has performed as Jeff Wiley and Coyotes and with other groups, and Rectenwald and Wehr have also played with other groups. Rectenwald, musician, singer and songwriter, is also a well-known performer with his wife, Sandy.

The 1970s-'80s were the heyday of folk rock with artists like Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, and Common Ground will bring to life the essence and vibe of that era to the Plaza stage.

Wiley said he and his brothers grew up with music.

"We all started singing at a young age. It is our way of life," he said.

Wiley said the group is looking forward to playing in the plaza.

"It is a great setting, very enjoyable place to play. We love the venue. We are playing in our home town and people are so welcoming," he said.

What: Common Ground

Where: Ellwood City Community Plaza

When: 7 p.m. Aug. 5

Admission: Free. Remember to bring a chair.

Information: In case of rain the concert will be in Lincoln High School Auditorium

A comfort station is available. Handicapped parking is available.

The concert series is hosted by Ellwood City Community Enrichment and supported by corporate, business and individual donations.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Common Ground performing in Ellwood City Saturday