MARIETTA - Since opening in January 2009, the Earl Smith Strand Theatre has been home to a musical theater company, wedding receptions, fundraisers and rooftop cocktail hours, but it has never presented an official concert series - until now.

Earl Reece, the Strand's executive director, and Christy Rosell, business development and marketing director, presented a small reception for Strand patrons and board members on the stage of the historic theater Thursday afternoon to officially announce the acts featured in the first Strand Music Series, which kicks off in August.

On tap for the series are the Soulphonics with Ruby Velle on Aug. 20, a bluesy, funky 8-piece band with a soulful female lead singer; folk and country locals Banks & Shane with Jim Durand on Aug. 28; Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, a new age New Orleans jazz seven-piece band, on Sept. 10; Paradox, an upbeat classic rock and country cover band made up of WellStar Health System physicians on Oct. 9; Beatles tribute band The Return on Oct. 22; A1A: The Official Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band on Nov. 5 and 6; and Marietta native Billy Joe Royal for his third New Year's Eve performance at the Strand.

"One long, long night, me, Christy and Cassie (Costoulas, the Strand's front of house manager) took so many hours to try to figure out what we would call this. We threw out a bunch of catchy names, but nothing was right. Finally, we were tired, it was late, we were ready to give up and Christy said, 'What about Strand Music Series?' Brilliant. I said that was brilliant," Reece said, garnering a few laughs.

Rosell said, "We book a lot of music because that's what people want. We hope to make this a tradition. A1A just told me their performances here will be the official CD release of their own original beach music. We literally had to turn people away last year. Each of the acts is just absolutely fantastic."

Two members of Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, Blair Crimmins and Marietta resident and trombone player Travis Cottle, played a few tunes at Thursday's reception, giving the crowd a sampling of their concert ahead.

"I've never been in here or played here, but the venue is fantastic. It has a great feel, with a nice classic atmosphere that works well with our music," Crimmins said. "We have a lot of people from Marietta that come to the shows we play in Atlanta, so we're looking forward to playing for them here."

Crimmins said he met Costoulas while playing an acoustic show at a house party about a year ago. Costoulas and friends starting going to his shows, and when she asked if he would play the concert series, he jumped at the chance, Crimmins said.

Three members of A1A also played some tunes for the crowd, mostly Buffet covers.

"We're just so excited about this," Reece said. "We can't wait to bring all of these great acts - some that Cobb residents know, some they don't - to our audiences."

All of the concert tickets are on sale, except for Billy Joe Royal, which will be available in September. Tickets, which vary in price, can be purchased by calling (770) 293-0080 or visiting www.earlsmithstrand.org.