NILES — Some adults still have nightmares about speaking in front of their classmates for school projects. This Thursday, Phil Anderson will be playing guitar and singing in front of some of his fellow Niles High School Class of 1976 graduates.

Anderson said he is not particularly nervous, though. After a few songs, he loosens up.

The Niles resident is this week’s performer for the weekly Niles Summer Concert Series at Riverfront Park. He will take the amphitheater stage at 6 p.m.

The ‘60s and ‘70s music specialist usually performs at community events like this Thursday’s concert, but he said he especially likes that Niles’ series is in his hometown. He played at the event last year.

Niles is also home to Anderson’s business, Cut Above Wood Designs, which creates and installs custom cabinetry.

“It was kind of funny,” he said. “Last year, some of my customers showed up to the concert. They had no idea that I even did this.”

Performing is a side gig for Anderson, and he does it when he can. The power of music, he said, is what has kept him coming back to perform.

“Music, I find, is a great release from the stresses of everyday life and running a business and all that goes along with it,” he said. “When I sit down and play those songs, my mind is a million miles away from that. When I put down the guitar after I’m done playing, I always feel better than when I started.”

At this concert, Anderson will be applying his music to a cause that is meaningful and personal to him. His chosen nonprofit partner of choice for the concert is Berrien County Cancer Services.

BCCS hosts numerous cancer support groups and art workshops for families affected by cancer.

Its flagship programs, though, are its nursing and loan closet programs. BCCS offers free nursing services to cancer patients through registered nurses, helping with anything from blood draws to dressing changes.

Its loan closest is also available to cancer patients. Medical equipment, crutches, shower chairs and wheelchairs can all be borrowed for free from its St. Joseph office.

“My wife is a cancer survivor, and she’s still undergoing treatment,” he said. “It’s become an issue that’s really, really close to my heart, and it’s touched me as it’s touched many other people.”

As music means a lot to Anderson, he wants to use music for a cause.

“I just felt like I’m going to do anything I can to bring help and support to cancer services or anybody that’s involved that’s either involved in finding a cure or helping cancer patients,” he said.

BCCS will accept donations and volunteers at the event. It will also host a giveaway of a variety of items.

The nonprofit will also have a second presence in Niles. It is co-hosting a gallery reception of its art workshop participants’ artwork at the Niles District Library starting at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Unlike last year, Anderson will perform on stage for his nonprofit of choice alone. Last year, Anderson performed with his St. Joseph-based friend, Danny Dine, for Ruff & Tumble Dog Park.

He said he is excited to go solo, though, because he is able to play songs that are normally not chosen when he performs with a group.

That could include a few selections from the repertoire of The Beatles and James Taylor, his “sound alike.” A few originals may also be played.

Anderson said playing is a joy not only because he is able to play his favorite songs, but he is able to share those songs with others.

“I think it’s one of the greatest things in life,” he said.