KOEP Concerts and Michael B. Koep
Michael B. Koep has built a life out of rhythm, storytelling, and adventure. A fourth-generation Coeur d’Alene native, he’s worn many hats—college educator, international touring musician, visual artist, novelist, swordsman, and even a top-tier waiter (according to at least one satisfied diner).
His journey has taken him from climbing the pyramids of Giza to fencing with an Italian master, and even to battling North Korean propaganda loudspeakers—by pointing a PA system across the DMZ and fighting back with a drum solo.
As an author, he’s known for the award-winning Newirth Mythology trilogy (The Invasion of Heaven, Leaves of Fire, The Shape of Rain) and his memoir, GIGMENTIA: A Drummer’s Love Song to Rock Shows, Fatherhood, Writing, and the Passing of a Beloved Mom (2024).
Michael lives in North Idaho with his family in a house overflowing with books, vinyl records, maps, and musical instruments. His passion for live music—and his deep love for the community—led him to take up the mantle of Chris Guggemos, Coeur d’Alene’s legendary “Music Man.” Through KOEP Concerts, he ensures that North Idaho summers are filled with music, producing the Cd’A City Park Concert Series, the Hayden Summer Concert Series, and the high-energy Music at McEuen Wednesdays.
Michael is honored to be carrying on the legacy of Chris Guggemos by making sure that Coeur d’Alene has the sound of music drifting through the summer air.
Our Late and Beloved Music Man: Coeur d’Alene’s Chris Guggemos
Christopher “Chris” Douglas Guggemos, 68, affectionately known as the community’s “Music Man,” passed away peacefully in his sleep in Coeur d’Alene Monday after a six-year battle with cancer.
For 31 years, Chris and his company, Handshake Productions, provided free summer concerts at local parks, beginning in Coeur d’Alene and later expanding to Hayden and Rathdrum.
Chris’s impact on the Coeur d’Alene area was evident in his last week of life as musicians, community leaders, and friends visited Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller House to pay their respects.
Chris was born March 4, 1954, to Bernard and Dolores Guggemos of Lansing, Mich.
He graduated from Central Catholic High School of Lansing and later moved with his wife to Coeur d’Alene, where they owned and operated a restaurant. The couple later divorced. Chris then worked at miscellaneous jobs before persuading Coeur d’Alene parks director Doug Eastwood to help him stage free concerts at City Park. Later, Chris added concerts at Fort Sherman Park Square on Sherman Avenue, Hayden’s McIntire Park and, for a time, in Rathdrum City Park.
Chris formed Handshake Productions to promote the free concerts and other entertainment services he offered. His brother Gary explained the company’s name: “If he couldn’t trust someone by a handshake, he didn’t want to do business with him. His handshake was his word.”
Chris was present at every concert to introduce the band and lead an acapella singing of our national anthem, unless illness prevented him from doing so. Occasionally, he would sing with the band. He played the mandolin, and recorded 11 songs on a CD, called “One Short of a Dozen.” The CD title paid homage to his family of a mother and 10 siblings after his father died.
In 2020, after COVID had taken hold, Chris pushed ahead with his concerts despite the challenge to line up bands and raise money. “Unless the governor or the government at any level makes a decision to the contrary,” he said at the time, “I’m going forward with it. I’ve had no thought of dropping out.”
Chris loved the Gonzaga Bulldogs, pro football, dancing, hearing new bands, and most of all his town.
“Coeur d’Alene made him,” brother Gary said.
Chris was the president of the Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club until this past June. Also, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Downtown Business Association. He was a devout Roman Catholic.
Chris, the first of the 10 siblings to pass, was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his nine brothers and sisters: Sandra (and Michael) Kowalczyk of Alto, Mich.; Cynthia Guggemos of Lansing, Mich.; Bernard Jr. (and Susan) Guggemos of East Lansing, Mich.; Greg (and Mary) Guggemos of Kewadin, Mich.; Gary Guggemos of Shelburne, Vt.; Richard Guggemos of Durham, N.C.; Mark (and Betty) Guggemos of Mason, Mich.; Mary (and Steve) Thelen of Sumner, Mich.; and Melissa Guggemos of Lansing, Mich. And numerous nieces and nephews.
by BILL BULEY
Staff Writer | June 3, 2011 9:00 PM
The Music Man: Chris Guggemos
COEUR d’ALENE – Twenty years of summer sounds.
When Chris Guggemos looks back on the beginning of his concert series, he smiles and shakes his head.
It was a chance thing, really.
He had moved here from Michigan, with a background in playing and producing music, and bumped into some folks downtown.
It was 1992.
“It was right here in this park,” he said. “They knew I played music and asked if my band and I were interested in playing for a
concert series they wanted to have here. I said I’d be more interested in scheduling your bands, and one thing led to another.”
“I scheduled bands in 1992 and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Two decades later, Guggemos is still the man behind Handshake Productions. He’s the “concert guy” who schedules the bands that
have given free concerts in Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Rathdrum.
He was hoping the gig would last, and it has.
“I needed to pay my bills,” he said, laughing.
This year’s schedule includes 27 performances at four venues, two each in Coeur d’Alene at the City Park and Sherman Square, and in Hayden and Rathdrum.
Every show slot is filled.
He goes for variety and said he has got it this summer. The sounds of big band, soul, country, orchestra and rock and roll will fill the air and draw crowds.
“When people come to the concerts, they know they’re going to see a different kind of music,” the 57-year-old said.
It includes The Rhythm Dawgs, Custer’s Grass Band, The Fat Tones, Coeurimba and Meet Revolver.
Come to a show and you’re likely to see dancing, too, as the audience joins in.
“We’ve got a strong lineup,” he said.
Friendly and personable, Guggemos moved to North Idaho from Lansing in 1980 with the hope of earning a living in music production. Twelve years later, he was living the dream.
“It took me until 1992 to really get something steady going,” he said.
The concerts started in downtown Coeur d’Alene. He added shows at Coeur d’Alene City Park in 1995, Hayden in 2000 and
Rathdrum in 2001. Concerts have also been held in Post Falls, Spirit Lake, Stoneridge and Deer Park, Wash.
Today, he’s an agent for DJs, magicians, children’s acts and musicians. He would love to bring in some national names.
“That’s been a goal for a long time,” he said.
Meantime, he enjoys it when he meets people while out shopping or wandering downtown, and they tell him they’ve enjoyed the concerts.
Others tell him they’re looking forward to another summer of free music by local bands. When he’s not arranging sponsorships for shows or scheduling the right band for the right park,
Guggemos himself has at times stepped in with lead vocals for a song or two.
But, he says, he prefers the spotlight to be on the bands in his summer concert series.
“I’ve made a lot of friends and acquaintances. I’ve been able to put a lot of musicians to work that might not have had the opportunity,” he said.
