From 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each Sunday, Blue Sky Vineyard provides live music to people who want to close out their weekend in a peaceful setting. Dubbed “Sundays in the Park,” the program features performances from area artists, and when weather permits, is held outside in the winery’s outdoor area.

Each week the winery books a different musician; singer/songwriter Bill Harper, of Murphysboro, performed Sunday. Although it was sunny and the sky was clear, temperatures were too cold for outdoor activities and the music was forced inside.

Harper strummed his guitar gently and melodically as his soft voice sang the lyrics to several classic acoustic tunes, including songs by The Beatles and The Allman Brothers. He enjoys playing at Blue Sky for Sundays in the Park, and has played multiple times since the winery opened, he said.

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While he enjoys playing outside, Harper said he likes when the music gets moved inside. He said he gets a chance to be more interactive with the audience.

“I like it when it’s outside and when I have an audience that is really into it,” he said. “Sometimes (inside) is really intimate, sometimes outside is really intimate. I’m used to playing small clubs in California.”

Harper got the bug to perform in his youth and after spending two years learning songs, began his 35-year musical career. Outside of performing, Harper works with Catholic Church ministry and administration as a pastoral associate.

Harper said he is working on remodeling his own home studio and plans to begin working on a new album.

Since Blue Sky began welcoming artists on the weekends, Jim Ewers, Blue Sky’s general manager, said he’s noticed other wineries following suit. He’s also seen a big difference between the winery’s atmosphere on Saturday and Sunday, he said.

“Saturdays here are crazy, Sundays are not nearly as packed and it’s a nice mellow mood,” he said. “It’s a good crowd.”

Because the weather has been quite unpredictable this winter and spring, the winery has had to cancel music, Ewers said. However, as it gets warmer, winery employees expect to see larger crowds coming out to enjoy the day, he said.

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Kim Bauernfeind and Mindi Mezo, both of Herrin, were among those in the Blue Sky audience.

“It has been very relaxing,” Bauernfeind said. “We have had the chance to have some very good girl time.”

Dan Barron is next up to perform at Blue Sky when the series continues Sunday.

Kyle Sutton can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter @KyleSutton_DE or at 536-3311 ext. 254.