Gunnar and the Grizzly Boys

June 17

Country

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As American as apple pie, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys make country music by nature, not by design. Their songs travel straight from the northern pines and fruit orchards of Michigan to your radio speakers and local honky-tonks. The honest storytelling instantly grabs your attention while the music hits you in the gut like a double shot of whiskey. The energy of a live Grizzly Boys show explodes into the audience like an electrifying dose of adrenalin. Band members: Gunnar Nyblad (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Rob Mason (Bass, Vocals), Shane Grehan (Guitar), Chris Newberg (Guitar, Keyboards), Joe Connolly (Drums).

gunnartunes.com

@grizzlyboys

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Lighten Up Francis

June 24

Variety / Rock

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Lighten Up Francis is a West Michigan band that will keep you on your feet, playing the songs you love and digging deep to cover many you won't hear from others. Our motto is: “There’s a reason they call it PLAYING music!”  We’re serious about having fun! Band members: Laura Bennett (Vocals, Harmonica), Mike Dodge (Guitar), Brian Mortimore (Drums, Vocals, Fauxmonica), Randy Goble (Bass, Hoots and Yowls), Chris Pianoman Corey (Keys), Sam Corey (Sax and Bass Guitar) and adjunct band member, the Mayor of Blues, Chuck Myers (Harmonica). 

@LightenUpFrancisOriginal

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Sam's Swing Band

July 1

Big Band Music

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Sam's Swing Band plays music ranging from Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman of the 30’s & 40’s, to Count Basie and Henry Mancini of the 50’s & 60’s, and more current big band charts. You'll hear some Polkas, Tangos, and Cha Cha’s too! The group’s mission is to bring the healing power of big band music to the people of Michigan.

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The Soul Syndicate

July 8

Soul / Funk / R&B

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The Soul Syndicate pays tribute to the most influential R&B artists of our time in vintage fashion - with a sophisticated look, masterful musicianship, and a crowd-pleasing act designed for the festival stage. This is Michigan’s can't miss Soul/Funk-infused entertainment experience. Band members: Matt Fouts (Bass), Tom Taylor (Rhythm), John Neil (Keys), Mike Coon (Guitars), Tim DenBesten (Lead Trumpet), Nate Hansen (Lead Sax), Caleb Elzinga (Sax), Ben Bennetts (Bone), Dennis Baker (Trumpet), Colin Tobin (Lead Vox), Aubrey Nausbaum (BG Vox), Katie Sarb (BG Vox), Eugene Griffith (Sound Engineering). 

thesoulsyndicate.com

@Thesoulsyndicate

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The Bronk Bros.

July 9

Country / Southern Rock / Americana

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A blue-collar work ethic, big dreams, and a grassroots attitude has gained the Michigan-based brother duo, The Bronk Bros. and their band respect in the Midwest music scene. The Bronk Bros are fronted by modern day honky-tonkers, Heath Bronk and Brian Bronk. Heath is known for his impressive vocal range and remarkable guitar playing ability, while Brian is known for his rocking harmonica, powerful vocals, and crowd engaging stage energy. The duo is backed by a solid experienced musical foundation in drummer Johnny "Dutch" Fulling, bassist Sean Campbell, and on lead guitar T. Rex Bell.

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thebronkbros.com

@thebronkbros

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Paradise Outlaw

July 15

Heartland Rock N’ Roll

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Paradise Outlaw is an Americana band from Grand Rapids with a good-time sound that is refreshing yet familiar. With their brand of soulful music and relate-able songs, Paradise Outlaw is well received by fans of Country, Rock, Blues, and Folk. Since playing their way onto the stage of B93's annual Birthday Bash, Paradise Outlaw has shared their feel-good Rock n’ Roll with thousands of people while opening for many national acts, receiving radio airplay, and gaining fans who love great original music along the way. If you enjoy the likes of Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and want a break from cookie-cutter music, turn up Paradise Outlaw! Band members: Kevin Langeland (Guitar), Kyle Gifford (Guitar), Nathan Vredeveld (Drums), Colin Tobin (Vocals), John Johnson (Bass).

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paradiseoutlaw.com

@paradiseoutlawband

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Soul ACCESS

July 22

Jazz, Blues, Classic Pop/Rock/Soul

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Soul ACCESS is a West Michigan band made up of seven veteran professional musicians who are adept at Jazz and Blues, as well as being fans of classic Pop and Soul standards. Every note they play and sing rings true to the musical genres they know and love. Band members: Tami Hjelm (Vocals), Jon Montgomery (Saxophone), Charlie Hoats (Bass), Mike Hyde (Guitar), Eddie Eicher (Drums), Susan Mora (Violin), Roger MacNaughton (Keyboard).

soulaccessband.com

@Soul Access - Band

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Madcat Midnight Blues Journey

July 29

Blues / Folk / Jazz

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Conducted by Grammy Award winning harmonica wizard Peter Madcat Ruth, this eclectic electric quartet is fueled by the guitar and steel fireworks of Drew "Captain Midnight" Howard, and propelled by the mighty rhythm section of bassist Mark Schrock and drummer Geoff Ian Lewis. Madcat Midnight Blues Journey is a Michigan-based band that brings seasoned stage presence and improvisational exuberance to standard and obscure Blues tunes, Folk and Jazz melodies, and original music.

madcatmidnightblues.com

@madcatmidnightbluesjourney

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Melophobix

August 5

Cage-free Funk

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The goal of Grand Rapids-based Melophobix is to remain stylistically cage-free and continue to record genre-bending songs that simultaneously dip into the sauces of several scenes in today’s music world. Considered primarily an original band, most of their repertoire has been written and composed by the group's collective efforts. With well-crafted performances, combining dynamic and high-energy tunes with exciting stage presence and radiant personalities, Melophobix is guaranteed to win over audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Band members: Stefan Paul (Vox, Guitars), Matt McElliott (Bass Guitar), Scott King (Percussion), Adam Parada (Keys), Nate Hansen (Saxophone), Geoff Hansen (Trumpet, Vox), Benjamin James (Trombone), Aaron Ross (Aux Perc).

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melophobix.com

@Melophobix

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Escaping Pavement

August 19

Americana / Bluegrass

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Hailed as “The most dynamic Americana group out of Detroit, Michigan" Escaping Pavement masterfully blends and blurs the lines of Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana. Their unique joint front-person arrangement, with Emily Burns and Aaron Markovitz sharing equally in singing, songwriting, and guitar playing allows for harmony-driven, musical interplay that has earned them slots on bills with the likes of The Dead South, Tim O’Brien, Justin Townes Earle, and Front Country. With a 2017 Detroit Music Award win for Outstanding Americana Record, over 1000 shows under their belt, a new EP comprised of music inspired by life and tales from the road, an ongoing musical project that champions the National Parks, and a non-stop touring schedule, this group is spreading their roots-based message, far and wide. With the addition of Kosta Kapellas on upright bass, Loren Kranz (Mark Lavengood, Ragbirds) on drums, and Vince Russo on washboard (Appleseed Collective), the Escaping Pavement full-band is a force to be reckoned with.

escapingpavement.com

@EscapingPavementBand

Nicholas James and the Bandwagon

August 26

Folk Rock / Americana

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Not easily put into a musical box, Grand Rapids-based Nicholas James and the Bandwagon has created their own brand of music they refer to as Hippie Tonk that falls somewhere in between Folk and Country with a solid dose of Rock and the occasional Reggae, Cajun, or World Beat mixed in. Three-part harmonies, dual electric guitars, pedal steel, and fiddle all weave around the acoustic guitar and powerful lead vocals of frontman Nicholas James. Band members: Nicholas James Thomasma (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica), Pete Weatherhead (Pedal Steel, Violin, Vocals), Alex Austin (Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals, Mandolin), Nuri Tett (Bass), Greg Baxter (Electric Guitar), Steve Minor (Drums).

nicholasjamesthomasma.com

@NicholasJamesandtheBandwagon

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