The Hackwells
June 24, 2023
Enjoy songs about prison graveyards, flea market beauty queens, and other people’s faults? Well look no further Friends, The Hackwells are exactly what you need. An Americana/Folk/Country band from Detroit, Michigan. Each member of the band writes and sings lead. Sun’s Memphis, Tootsie’s Nashville, and a dash of 70’s AM Radio, all delivered with a little Detroit Swagger!
Remember, they would never try to sell ya a hot dog they wouldn’t eat themselves. And that Neighbor, is the Hackwells Promise!
Buffalo Rose
July 1, 2023
Buffalo Rose is a wildly charismatic six-piece modern folk/Americana band from Pittsburgh, PA. They take the singer-songwriter tradition to a new level by crafting original songs which are emotive, meticulously arranged, and inspired by a world of idiosyncratic influences that never let a dull or predictable moment creep in.
They use powerful vocal harmonies, strong playing, and an original vision to operate at every possible emotional level and put on dynamic live shows that are unforgettable experiences. They go from up and moving to sad and sweet and back again, bringing the entire audience along.
Jill Jack
Lavender Goes Pink
July 28, 2023
Jill Jack’s career has spanned decades and has taken her around the globe. She grew up in Huntington Woods and has lived in Ferndale for the last 24 years. Her work includes self-written songs in a style she broadly calls Americana, encompassing elements of folk, rock, country, pop, and blues. She plays acoustic and electric guitar, and describes her stage presence as friendly, with a focus on storytelling and a dash of humor.
Jack has won 46 awards from the Detroit Music Awards Foundation and has opened for Bob Seger, John Waite, Emmy Lou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Dan Fogelberg, Marshall Crenshaw, Chris Isaak and Loretta Lynn. She has performed for audiences as large as 20,000, composed soundtracks for documentaries, released 12 award-winning albums, is responsible for the city of Detroit’s “I’m A Believer” campaign, and composed commercial jingles for Thrifty Florist and Little Caesars.
Jack also believes in giving back, with missionary work in Haiti and community service through the Detroit Children’s Choir, the Michigan Arthritis Foundation, Rock for Jobs, Gilda’s Club Bras for a Cause, the Girl Scouts of America, Enchanted Makeovers and Lost Voices — a group that supports young victims of abuse, neglect, violence, addiction and human trafficking, through the gentle encouragement of song.
The Keynote Sisters
Lavender Goes Pink
July 28, 2023
The Keynote Sisters present a fresh-faced look at Americana, tied together by pure harmonies only sisters can create. Their storytelling lyrics give you a glimpse into their lives and leave you feeling like you walked through these times by their side. The Keynote Sisters debuted their latest EP, Rose Colored Glasses, at their sold out 20 Front Street show, followed by their new single, Done and Damned, and have been continuing to gain momentum ever since. In addition to Rose Colored Glasses, the duo released a CD of covers in 2016, Come What May, and donated all proceeds from sales to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. The Keynote Sisters are avid songwriters and have no intention of taking their foot off the gas any time soon.
Phoebe’s years of classical guitar training are evident in her flowing, fingerpicking style in the duo’s Americana/pop blend. Jaclyn’s dreams of performing under Broadway lights show in her theatrical stage presence that can make any audience share in the same joy she exudes. Having grown up multi-instrumentalists, Phoebe and Jaclyn currently utilize a mix of acoustic guitar, keyboard, and cajon to create their inviting, acoustic sound. This duo shares a sisterly bond like no other, and they strive to extend that connection to their audience at every show.
Since spring of 2020, the Keynote Sisters have been hitting the road—literally—with their Driveway Tour, a tour concept created in the early stages of quarantine, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Phoebe and Jaclyn have made it their goal to provide safe, socially-distanced private concerts to people all across Metro Detroit, as they perform out of their Tour Van to listeners’ front porches, driveways, or open windows. In its first year, The Driveway Tour surpassed 100 stops, bringing live music to hundreds of Michiganders in a time when music is needed more than ever.
Wood Box Heroes
July 29, 2023
Wood Box Heroes, the newly formed American acoustic super-group, is hardly anything like the bluegrass music you used to find in the cassette player of your grandad’s old Chevy pickup truck. Deeply rooted in tradition while melding together and eclectic-array of sounds from the country, bluegrass, blues, jazz, rock, and classical varieties, paired with crafty and authentic songwriting, the band delivers a piercing listening experience that plunges deep into the caverns of the soul, grabs the drowning inner-child by the hand and blissfully makes way to the surface!
Bringing together some of the world’s most highly lauded musician in Matt Menefee (banjo), Seth Taylor (mandolin/guitar) and Barry Bales (bass) backing up vocal of Jenee Fleenor (fiddle) and Josh Martin (guitar), this unit has over a century of musical seasoning between them. Yet, it is quite astonishing that the years spent on the separate roads accompanying a spectrum of incredible artists and receiving some of the most sought-after honors and awards in the business have led to this enigmatic intersection. Currently in the studio working on their debut record due out in 2023, the group is rearing to put on full display the raw telnet and out-of-this world energy that makes them, together, Wood Box Heroes.
1964 The Tribute
August 4 & 5, 2023
Since the early eighties, 1964 The Tribute has been thrilling audiences around the globe by taking them on a journey through a quintessential moment in music history that will live on forever.
Masters of their craft with over 20 years of research and performances, 1964 The Tribute are hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute… which has earned them the distinction from Rolling Stone magazine as the “Best Beatles Tribute on Earth”.
1964 The Tribute recreates an early ‘60s live Beatle concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter with an accuracy that is unmatched.
1964 The Tribute is not endorsed by or affiliated with Apple Corps, LTD.
Brian Vander Ark
August 8, 2023
Brian Vander Ark is the lead singer and principal songwriter for the multi-platinum alternative rock band The Verve Pipe, recognized worldwide for their radio hits Photograph, Hero, Happiness Is, Never Let You Down, and the #1 smash single The Freshmen.
During breaks from his work with The Verve Pipe, Brian set out on his own to launch a multifaceted solo career that has included releasing four acclaimed independent studio albums – Resurrection, Angel Put Your Face On, Brian Vander Ark, Magazine as well as his most recent, a collection of cover songs called Planet Sunday Sessions, Volume 1. Currently collaborating with actor/musician Jeff Daniels on a new album of original songs, while also putting the final touches on the new rock album from The Verve Pipe, both albums to be released in Fall ’16, Brian’s reputation as a skilled songwriter and producer continues to grow.
Kanin Wren’s
Taylor Swift Experience
August 11, 2023
Michigan’s up and coming songwriter and vocal powerhouse, Kanin Wren, is taking on an ambitious side project. Rooted in a love and appreciation for Taylor Swift, Kanin is creating Kanin’s Version: A Taylor Swift Experience for fans of all ages to create a memory that will last a lifetime. Kanin’s Taylor Swift Experience is a dynamic traveling music event based around the song catalog of Taylor Swift, told through Kanin’s expressive voice. The experience is centered around a 90-minute concert with a live band featuring Kanin covering Taylor Swift’s most popular songs from each era, a VIP meet and greet with an acoustic element, a swag bag, and a post-show merchandise and photo opportunity.
A perfect night to dress up like hipsters and jam out to Kanin’s full band TAYLOR SWIFT EXPERIENCE! Be part of an interactive musical evening. Sing, dance, scream your heart out to all of Taylor’s Swift’s most popular tracks.
Jessica Willis Fisher
August 12, 2023
Jessica Willis Fisher is an Americana singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and author. Her critically acclaimed debut solo album, Brand New Day was released on April 13, 2022. Dubbed “a musical masterpiece,” by People.com, the album features “lilting and expressive vocals, eloquent lyrics, and dynamic arrangements” (Forbes) in her “songs filled with joy, courage & optimism” (Americana Highways). Jessica “asserts her strength — both musically and personally” (Billboard) and “sings like she has wings” (Taste of Country) with an “angelic voice and iron will” (CMT.com).
Produced by Ben Fowler, Brand New Day is the first music Jessica released since her father was arrested for sexual abuse and is a musical representation of her entire journey since then. Jessica wrote eight of the ten songs on her album entirely solo – she co-wrote her first single “Fire Song” with GRAMMY award-winner Jon Randall, and the album also features a cover of Susan Ashton’s “You Move Me.”
Southern Raised
August 19, 2023
Southern Raised, a group of award-winning kinfolk, trained in classical music but raised in the bluegrass soaked Ozark Mountains. They have created a Southern Raised trademark sound where classical meets bluegrass and city streets meet country roads. SR has morphed a progressive sound that spans Christian Country/ Bluegrass, Celtic and Classical.
They have a warmth and realness about them that draws you in while their sound will harken you to the halcyon days of hawthorn-filled air perfumed with the pungency of the spring blossoms. With a strong passion for music that has dug deep into their roots they have taken their music to the cutting-edge of creativity.
Collectively they have received nominations from Singing News Fan Awards, Diamond Awards, Front Porch Fellowship, and a staggering 32 SPBGMA Midwest nominations, Bass Performer of the Year, nominated 4- time Fiddle Performer of the Year, Band of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Christian Country Album of the Year, to name a few. SRB has been featured on RFD TV’s Larry’s Country Diner, Gospel Music Showcase hosted by Guy Penrod, RFD TV’s Music City Show and many more.
They’re talented, they’re energetic, they’re Southern Raised.
Balsam Range
August 25, 2023
Buddy Melton (fiddle, lead and tenor vocals); Dr. Marc Pruett (banjo); Tim Surrett (bass, dobro, baritone and lead vocals); Caleb Smith (guitar, lead & baritone vocals) and Alan Bibey ( mandolin, vocals) make up Balsam Range. They thoughtfully and respectfully adopted the name of a majestic range of mountains that surround part of the home of 4 of the founding members in Haywood County, NC. The Great Balsam Range is where the Great Smoky Mountains meet the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year, Balsam Range, has become one of the genre’s most award-winning acts. Since forming in 2007, the group has garnered 13 IBMA awards on the heels of 11 critically acclaimed albums. Balsam Range has left audiences spellbound while headlining major festivals from coast-to-coast, selling out venues across the nation and in multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. The band collaborated with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Ensemble to record Mountain Overture which debuted on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart at #5 and the Classical Crossover Chart at #6. Their album Mountain Voodoo debuted at #4 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart and remained on that chart for 45 weeks. Three singles from that album reached #1 on the Bluegrass Today Chart, including “Blue Collar Dreams,” which spent three consecutive months at the top. The follow-up album, Aeonic debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and spent 46 total weeks on the chart. The album featured hit songs like “The Girl Who Invented The Wheel,” “Get Me Gone” and “Angel Too Soon.” The band most recently claimed the #1 radio chart spots with their singles, “Richest Man,” “Grit and Grace,” “Rivers, Rains and Runaway Trains,” “Santa Barbara” and “Highway Side” all from their latest album (#11 for the band,) 2021’s Moxie and Mettle.
In addition to winning Entertainer of the Year, Balsam Range vocalist Buddy Melton won IBMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year and bass player Tim Surrett won IBMA’s Bass Player of the Year in 2018.
The Concert Truck
September 1, 2023
The Concert Truck is a mobile music venue that strengthens communities by redefining the concert experience and making live music accessible to everyone.
Impassioned by their love for music, pianists Nick Luby and Susan Zhang converted a 16-foot box truck into a fully functioning mobile concert hall, complete with lights, sound system, and piano. Since then, The Concert Truck has presented concerts across the country in city streets, music and arts festivals, schools, neighborhoods, parks… anywhere you can think to park a truck. Nick, Susan, and the Truck have been featured by Voice of America – VOA, Minnesota Public Radio, the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, WYPR Maryland, and many local TV news stations and online publications and syndicates.
In addition to sharing original programming with local communities, The Concert Truck strengthens relationships between arts organizations and the communities they serve. In the 2020-2021 season, The Concert Truck partnered with the Kennedy Center’s Washington National Opera, Virginia Arts Festival, University of South Carolina, Southeastern Piano Festival, and Dallas Symphony Orchestra to deliver music to their local communities. Additionally, The Concert Truck created an online children’s show in partnership with the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival that has been presented to over 55,000 students in North Carolina schools. Other past presenters include Minnesota Public Radio and the Smithsonian.
The Concert Truck launched in April 2016, giving eight performances in five days throughout the city of Columbia, SC. It has received awards, fellowships, and grants for social innovation and creativity in music.
Horton Creek Bluegrass
September 2, 2023
Horton Creek Bluegrass formed in 2004 after they played, what they thought, was a onetime gig to fill a spot. That one show went so well, that they had to keep on going. Initially, they began by playing mostly traditional bluegrass and gospel music. As time went on, they began to expand their musical influences, to create a sound that incorporates traditional/progressive bluegrass, country western, a little bit of rock n’ roll, all while keeping the core around the roots music.
As our sound transformed, and the chemistry between band members grew and grew, the bookings for shows started rolling in. We have played concerts for sold out theaters, Bliss Fest, as well as being the opening act for major players in the industry, such as Trick Pony and Kellie Pickler. Their hopes are high, the bass is low, and of course, the grass is blue!
May Erlewine
Play it Forward
September 8, 2023
One of the Midwest’s most prolific and passionate songwriters, Erlewine has a gift for writing songs of substance that feel both fresh and soulfully familiar. Her ability to emotionally engage with an audience has earned her a dedicated following far beyond her Michigan roots. She shows us her heartbreak, but she also shows us her empowered and emboldened spirit. In her quest to find her most authentic self, Erlewine gifts each listener with a powerful, emotional experience that immediately connects us.
Erlewine draws from a wide variety of influences to create her sound. Lyrically, her songs are rooted in hard-wrought wisdom, joy and sorrow, simplicity, and stories from her own everyday experiences. Musically, these messages are wrapped up in traditional folk roots, Americana, old-time country swing, soul, and even rock and pop sensibilities. As a live performer, she is just as magnetic playing solo acoustic songs at a living room house concert as she is when supported by her carefully chosen backing bands.
With a long list of full-length albums, two EPs, and numerous collaborations, Erlewine’s catalog is proof of her creative power. Her work has been spotlighted by Rolling Stone and NBC’s The Voice. National acts who have covered her songs include Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Sawyer Fredericks (Season 8 winner of The Voice), Joshua Davis (Season 8 finalist of The Voice), Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, and others.