The only thing that might put a hamper on tonight’s kick-off of the 10th annual Eureka Summer Concerts Series is rain.

“We’ve got some great bands this year,” said Pete Meyer, Power 96.3 morning show host. “We have such nice community support from Old Town and from Eureka merchants and, of course, the fans have just turned out in droves.”

Bi-Coastal Media/Power 96.3, Eureka Main Street, Coast Central Credit Union, Arkley Center for the Performing Arts and the city of Eureka present the summer concerts, which will bring free live music from 6-8 p.m. each Thursday to the Eureka Boardwalk through mid-August.

Tonight’s concert will feature “brand-new classic rock” by Mendocino County’s II Big.

“We’re going back to the Bob Seger days and the Allman Brothers and that kind of rock and roll,” II Big co-founder and drummer Ken Ingels said during a phone interview on Monday. “It’s good musicianship with great vocals.”

The II Big lineup also includes Roger Vance, bass (originally with the Eddie Money band); Tom and Aubrey Hansen, guitar, keyboards and vocals (they are also the songwriters); and Vince Knight on guitar, both lead and rhythm.

The band released its third CD this week “Face in the Glass,” also a title of a song on the CD.

“It’s a reflection of looking in the mirror and believing in yourself and not letting people influence your life,” Ingels said.

Tom Hansen wrote it for his son.

“You need to be confident and believe in your talents,” Ingels said. “It’s a very competitive world out there.”

II Big has been together for 15 years. It serves as Konocti Resort’s house band, Ingels said.

That has allowed the band to perform alongside veteran rockers such as Blue Oyster Cult, REO Speedwagon and Styx.

A highlight for Ingels was opening for Creedence Clearwater Revisited (formerly Creedence Clearwater Revival).

A predecessor to founding the band was Ingels and David Raitt (brother to well-known Bonnie Raitt) opening Russian River Records. It’s a recording studio based in Ingels’ hometown of Ukiah. It serves as a place where many local musicians record their material.

“It’s kind of a big melting pot for Mendocino music,” Ingels said. “Bands have a really tough time finding rehearsal space.”

Ingels’ family also owns a wine business — Russian River Vineyards.

But performing music is at the heart of Ingels’ priorities.

“It is kind of like my sanctuary of space in my life,” he said. “It’s just a part of my life that’s been there.”

Ingels is one of many out-of-area musicians who have discovered the Boardwalk due to this concert series, Meyer said.

“It’s a great little spot every time I get down there,” he said. “Bring down the lawn chair and the potato salad. “It’s a family event. The kids like the music; the adults like the music.”

(Rob and Cherie Arkley own Security National, which owns The Eureka Reporter.)