NILES — Robert McNeil, of South Bend, grew up surrounded by talented musicians with a penchant for jamming.

McNeil, formerly of Nashville, Tennessee, has continued that passion for music and will now bring it to Niles Riverfront Park for the next Summer Concerts in the Park Series.

McNeil and his band, Dr. Rob and the Reproduction Band, will perform at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Riverfront Amphitheater. The concert is free and open to the public to attend. Each week, the concert features a local nonprofit to benefit and bring awareness to. This week’s concert will benefit the Niles Salvation Army. The nonprofit organization will be collecting cash donations or nonperishable food items to help stock their food pantry.

McNeil is a singer and guitarist, though he also plays a host of other instruments. Describing his band’s sound, McNeil said his band plays rhythm and blues and Motown style songs. For the concert, the band will play a number of covers, including  “Blind Crippled and Crazy,” “Don’t Make Your Move Too Soon,” and “Blues is All Right.”

McNeil started playing music when he was about 8 years old.

“I started out playing harmonica when I was a kid,” McNeil said. “I graduated from that to lead guitar and then I went from that to bass guitar – I guess I was really trying to figure out what I wanted to play.”

Surrounded by family members who shared his passion for music, McNeil often got the chance to jam, helping him to grow and hone his craft for music. He said his mother, Ruby White, and grandmother Ada Darnell, were particularly talented.

In 1960, McNeil moved to Benton Harbor and would eventually start his Michiana band Dr. Rob and the Reproduction Band. His band has played in bars and event venues around Michiana  and created several original numbers, though McNeil said he will be sticking to covers for Thursday night’s performance.

Despite having regular concerts around the Michiana region, McNeil said he always likes to bring a fresh set to the stage.

“I try to switch up the shows, because I don’t like for anyone to get annoyed [with the same songs],“ McNeil said.

McNeil said he is looking forward to sharing his music with those who attend the concert at Riverfront Park.

“It’s going to be fun for me, because I like to play,” McNeil said. “I like to perform. I like to make somebody happy.”

McNeil will be joined by five other bandmates, who will round out the sound with guitars, bass, drums, keyboard and singers.  Normally there are seven bandmates who play, but not all can attend Thursday’s concert, McNeil said.

McNeil said he believes that music can have the power to relieve people of their stress. He encouraged people to forget about their deadlines and worries and visit the park concert Thursday. 

“I try to put some of my music into everybody and make their day better,” McNeil said. “It is a thrill for me to perform, basically speaking.”