| 2009 Performers |
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A member of the Detroit Music Hall of Fame, Dick Siegel is known for his engagingly unconventional lyrics and a dynamic musical style that incorporates modern folk, roots, and jazz. He was named in WDET’s list of the most important and influential artists in the history of Detroit, alongside legends such as John Lee Hooker, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin. As a contingent of the rising Michigan indie/folk scene, Misty Lyn pens haunting melodies over simple arrangements that traverse the gothic, literary fringes of American roots music. Pulling from a wealth of vivid, melancholic subject matter, her songs are cathartic and poetically rich works that stand boldly on their own, but when accompanied by her quartet, the Big Beautiful, realize new potential. Raised between the steely clamor of Detroit and the stillness of Michigan's pristine Upper Peninsula, Joshua Davis is a rare combination of both city and country. These distinct yet complimentary faces of Davis's home state of Michigan are lovingly melded in his songwriting. Breathe Owl Breathe sing of folklore and homespun miracles, oral histories left to thaw in the earth's crust until pre-history's giant ice cubes rolled their wet bulk down the North Pole and into Canada, finally settling into extinction in what we now call the Great Lakes From barroom stomps to sultry lounge numbers, from country ballads to gypsy waltzes, Orpheum Bell’s unique “country and eastern” sound enlists accordion, banjo, guitar, fiddle, clarinet, saw, autoharp, and the double bass. “With more than a bit of Tom Waits’s instinct for turning half-forgotten music into something absolutely modern, Orpheum Bell [is] something new and different in Michigan music — and American music” - The Ark As a musician and an educator in the environmental justice movement, Joe can howl a chilling splash-in-the face blues about treachery and historical injustice and inspire you with upbeat ditties that echo in your mind long afterwards. A favorite with kids, Joe’s original songs deliver simple truths with compassion, gentle humor, and a great beat! Influenced by master songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, Billy crafts melodically compelling songs that maintain a sense of the timeless and classic. Bringing a direct and honest energy to his audiences, Billy creates a musical experience that captivates and inspires. Billy Mack and the Juke Joint Johnnies From rock to rockabilly, country to crooner, bebop to the blues! With hints of country, a dusting of old time bluegrass, and a pinch of jazz, this duo offers thoughtful, exuberant songs that have at their core a warm, funky groove and a soulful glow. “Annie and Rod Capps write complex, winding melodies...sliding you into the middle of lives and situations that are always interesting and dotted with real insight.” all we need to know is that anna ash is a not far off cousin of the yellowbird. she flies & sings, flies & sings, inching out her wingspan every time her ears pick up the sounds of autoharps and ella fitzgerald. with a lullaby of a voice she takes stringed instruments and mingles them with a smidgen of soul and a tad pinch of a shimmy and a twang. Everybody loves a lonesome banjo player. His songwriting versatility takes the listener from haunted landscapes of brooding fingerstyle folk ballads to rhythm-driven roots rock social commentary, shuffling blues riffs and latin grooves that show off his skills as a rhythm guitarist. Peter Adriel toured the US as a one man band in 2008, from Illinois to Maine to Florida, California to Oregon and points between. He makes realtime beats with a homemade foot percussion device called the Noise Floor, play a Parker Fly guitar, harmonicas on a neck rack, and sing. With his powerful voice and mournful guitar licks, Michael Beauchamp spins beautifully melodic yarns about lost love, discovery, and the playful allure of live music. The exciting new ensemble Cairn to Cairn features the brilliant forces of poet/guitarist Terry Farmer and vocalist/flute virtuoso Kelly McDermott. Both individually trained as classical musicians, these talents merge to create an eclectic blend of Celtic, folk, and world music. Local band Black Train not only draws from a wide-ranging repertoire but also offers inspired interpretations. After listening to a set at Crazy Wisdom Tea Room with songs by Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, Lyle Lovett, the Who, Woody Guthrie, and Lucinda Williams, I wanted to call out other favorites just to hear what the band could do. -by Stephanie Kadel-Taras, arborweb.com Nutshell has been playing together in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area for nearly ten years, in one form or another. They prefer to call themselves a "Celtic roots band", as they use traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton as a starting point for creating their own sound. Whether kicking out rawkus fiddle tunes, dirty and greasy southern blues, high and lonesome bluegrass serenades, or anything else they can think of Who Hit John? keep the home fires burning, carrying on the tradition of American roots music. Sari’s music is made up of heartfelt letters, spirituals for the 21st century, smooth saxophone sounds, swelling cymbals, dreams inspired by melodies and melodies inspired by dreams, reimaginings of myths and parables, and an alto voice that is brimming with equal parts longing and joy. Raised in the peaceful village of Manchester, Michigan, just across the street from the River Raisin, Natalie Mae honed her talents into a new and unique blend of folk/roots music. Her voice carries each melody with power and ease, while her lyrics prove to be crafted with great care. For most artists who actually manage the feat, recording a masterpiece is a career-long effort. For Whit Hill, it took a single shot. "We Are Here," suffused with intelligence and champion songcraft, isn't just the best debut album in recent Detroit memory, it's one of the top 2003 premieres by anybody anywhere. Laurel Premo shares a music full of life that draws from Appalachian, Celtic, Contemporary folk, Cajun, Bluegrass, and Scandinavian roots. From haunting old ballads to feverish instrumental compositions, her music is made for all ears. Nominated for a Jammie Award as "Best New Folk Artist" by WYCE- 88.1 in Grand Rapids in 2004, and featured on the "Over Easy" morning program on WCSX 94.7 in Detroit in 2005, Lisa Pappas is a Michigan born-and-bred Performing Songriter. Rock, Paper, Scissors Jordan Keller/Louis Holland Synchronicity Team Love Scott Thacher Holly Mae and the Painted Room J. Quentin John Natiw Chris Buhalis Dave Boutette Walk Chicken Walk The Dorkestra David Menafee
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