Mackinac Island Music Festival

Classical Guitarist Roger Humphrey to Perform at Mackinac Island Music Festival

2011-01-21T12:18:00.000-08:00

Classical guitarist Roger Humphrey will take us on a journey through the beautiful music of the Baroque era during the 7th Annual Mackinac Island Music Festival (www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org). He began playing classical guitar in 1958 at the age of 10 and began teaching guitar in 1967. He has been on faculty at Olivet College since 1987 and Marshall's School of Music in Lansing since 1980. We are fortunate that he summers here each season and will be performing at the festival this season.

Excerpt from the Metropolitan Museum of Art:
The Baroque guitar had a rich repertory of solos and accompanied songs. Some of the finest seventeenth-century composers for solo guitar were Francesco Corbetta (ca. 1615–1681), who worked for both Louis XIV of France and Charles II of England; Angelo Michele Bartolotti (first half of 17th century–after 1669); and Giovanni Battista Granata (died after 1684).

Vocal works appeared with guitar accompaniment by such well-known monody composers as Giulio Caccini (ca. 1545–1618), Emilio de' Cavalieri (ca. 1550–1602), Jacopo Peri (1561–1633), and Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643). A characteristic Italian guitar notation calledalfabeto, a letter system representing strummed block chords, was utilized for many solos and accompaniments, although tablature continued to be used until the mid-eighteenth century, when staff notation replaced it. Guitarists were also expected to improvise continuo accompaniments from figured and unfigured bass lines.

Source:The Guitar | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The library has great acoustics and the room is designed by Carleton Varney, which makes for a very beautiful concert setting. This concert will be spectacular and we recommend arriving a bit early for seating, as it will be limited.

4pm, Thursday, August 18, 2011
Mackinac Island Public Library

www.rogerhumphrey.com

DJ Brevin is Mix Master of the Mackinac Island Music Festival

2011-01-21T11:51:00.000-08:00

DJ Brevin (Brevin Cawthorne) is the mix master for the house/techno/hip hop/ feature during the annual Mackinac Island Music Festival. Known throughout Michigan, but especially known for his work at the summer hot spot Horn's Bar during Booty Night each season, DJ Brevin is bringing in a posse; DJ Rock City and DJ Psycho to create what will be hailed as one of the best events featuring some great music, signature cratches, mixes and mashes all with an eager crowd. DJ Brevin has done shows for Kid Rock, Tito Bacardi, Tom Izzo, loads of parties, weddings and more on and off Island. Brevin is a legend on Mackinac Island.

http://www.djbrevin.com/fr_djbrevin.cfm

DJ Psycho Brings His Dungeon to the Mackinac Island Music Festival

2011-01-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

The first thing that you notice about DJ Psycho (Dezi Magby) when he plays is that he pays absolutely NO attention to the rules. Genres? Mere suggestions. Somehow he ties everything together quicker than your brain can process the method. He engages the audience in a sort of willful combat for the soul of the party, leaving you at once satisfied and begging for more. Musically knowledgeable with a flair for the dramatic, Psycho bridges the gap between the technical aspects of being a DJ and the stage antics of a rock star, all while EXCLUSIVELY using vinyl. Not many DJs have that sort of controlled chaos as their calling card these days; he is at once a throwback and the wave of the future.

A multi-instrumentalist since elementary school, Dezi began learning the craft as a result of watching an uncle DJ several family functions, and soon started DJing at elementary, junior high and high school functions, while studying music theory under the tutelage of Master Charles Fair. In 1984, he co-founded local funk band Your'z Truly with band class friends from Flint Northwestern and Northern high schools, but never strayed from the records. He closely studied videos of Grandmaster Flash, cassettes of Ken Collier mixes and radio broadcasts of Detroit legends Electrophying Mojo and Jeff "The Wizard" Mills during this period. At age 17, he brought a mix of those styles, coupled with intense musical knowledge of other genres, to local nightclubs and quickly gained the reputation of being the one man in town not afraid to play anything. In 1989, he started interning at local radio station WWCK-105.5 fm, doing commercials and eventually became the first local DJ to have his own mix show. He kept one foot in the streets, however, gaining notoriety for hip-hop production for local artists and playing the burgeoning rave scenes in Detroit and Flint areas. Psycho also competed in the 1990, 1991 and 1993 Midwest DMC championship battles, placing first two times and second once. He later brought his indelible hand speed and musical ability to other endeavors, becoming a member of funk-rock band Rev. Right Time and The First Cuzins of Funk in 1997, R&B/Soul band Funkilinium in 2004, and hip-hop groups Artfull Dodgers and ChipVicious in 2006 and 2010 respectably. He's been featured in publications such as High Times, Rolling Stone and Detroit Free Press, as well as his hometown Flint Journal several times.

Since 'being drafted' by the DETROIT TECHNO MILITIA in 2006, he's been on a creative tear, releasing CDs that could only be described as 'travel manuals for the musically unstable', doing remixes, and ripping apart every stage he puts his bare feet on (a habit he adapted after watching The Black Crowes on their first tour). His latest project, "Middle Finger University", a dense, sprawling masterwork of his hip-hop production, was released online on Christmas Day 2010 to universal acclaim. His mix series, "The Dungeon Series" (available on Soundcloud) explores all of his musical indiscretions, from soul classics, rock anthems, hard techno goodies, golden hip-hop era hidden gems...and everything in between. With more remixes, collaborations and production work coming, as well as continuations of The Dungeon Series, live shows and college lectures, Psycho's hope is that his body of work will not only continue to branch out, but also inspire.

He will be joining DJ Rock City and DJ Brevin during the legendary Booty Night started over 10 years ago at Horn's Bar during the 7th Annual Mackinac Island Music Festival www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org.

Burning Down the House with DJ Rock City at the 7th Annual Mackinac Island Music Festival

2011-01-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

DJ Rock City
You know him by his prominent Mohawk and Signature Style. Rock City is the foremost DJ in Chicago and spreading the hype Nation wide and this season, he will be featured in at the legendary Booty Night at Horn's Gaslight Bar on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 during the 7th Annual Mackinac Island Music Festival. He represents himself and goes unnoticed with the Hipster’s in Chicago and the A-list crowd to include Johnny Depp, David Beckham, Kobe Bryant, Eminem, Jermaine Dupri, Nick Cannon, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes.

With an unmistakable silhouette and an arsenal of versatile music boasting a repertoire of sounds from Hip Hop, House, to Motown you name it he can mix it, he gets the crowd hooked!

Holding residencies at Chicago’s very own Underground, Le Passage and NV Penthouse Lounge you can see why he is voted Top DJ in the City and highlighted in social magazine’s Chicago Scene Magazine 2009 and Men of Style 2009-CS Magazine….. He continues to get noticed!

DJ Rock City’s journey began in the Midwest when he was a kid with a passion for music. He began spinning at local parties and family gatherings, his unique style and energy got people listening and quickly led to his own weekly club spot, “Adrenaline Rush” and his career hasn’t stopped since!

Rock City is redefining the 21st century DJ in style. His undeniable stage presence has won him the coveted position of Maxim Magazine’s 2007 Spring Break DJ in Acapulco, where he dazzled over 20,000 screaming fans and opened for names like DJ AM, DJ Vice, DJ Green Lantern, T-Pain and Lil’ Flip.

Today if you find Rock City spinning you know it’s the hottest Nightclub or Event happening in town. He feels the crowd and gives his listeners exactly what they want leaving them fully hyped and wanting more from Rock City.

http://www.facebook.com/djrockcityfans

Kid Rock Video Celebrates Michigan's Upper Peninsula

2010-11-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

We were waiting for the new Kid Rock video Born Free to come out because we love Kid Rock and because we heard it was filmed in the UP. The video is gorgeous. It really captures the beauty of Michigan. Gotta hand it to the hometown boy for getting out of the studio and showing off our state.

Thanks Rock.

2010 Music Festival Images Part II

2010-11-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

Billy Brandt & Sarana Ver Lin

Singer-Songwriters Billy Brandt and Sarana Ver Lin have been working together for a couple of years now and have created a blend of Americana and Celtic music that is not only unique but beautiful.

Billy is known for producing many bands and artists in the Detroit area for decades: Red C, Susan Calloway, Spank, Jill Jack and now finally is putting his music out there. Influenced by the likes of Gram Parsons to the Grateful Dead, Billy Brandt has molded his sound by creating his own unique guitar picking style that makes his evokes the style Steven Stills and Jerry Garcia.

Billy’s musical journey has taken him to every corner of the country. He has rightfully won many Detroit Music Awards for Acoustic/Folk Instrumentalist. He has been recognized with 11 more DMA nominations for best songwriter, guitarist and vocalist in the acoustic folk and country categories.

Sarana Ver Lin is a versatile performer and an amazing folk/celtic singer songwriter. She has worked with many industry veterans, including grammy award winners Don Was, Steve King and Ben Grosse.

Billy Brandt, Sarana VerLin and Forbes Brothers

Sarana VerLin and Forbes Brothers

2010 Music Festival Images

2010-11-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

Audra Kubat

Kate Levy is one of the best photographers on Mackinac Island and the official photographer of the Mackinac Island Music Festival. What we love most about her is how she gets into her work like a musician gets into performing. All of the musicians know her work and everyone involved encouraged her to get on stage with us and shoot while we were performing. The images posted her are what happens when a great photographer is invited to join the musicians. Enjoy and please visit www.katelevyphotography.com for more of her work.

Audra Kubat & Barbara Payton

Audra Kubat, Billy Brandt & Barbara Payton

Chordiology with Forbes Brothers

Forbes Brothers

Ronnie Jacobs: Forbes Brothers

Forbes Brothers

Ronnie Jacobs: Forbes Brothers

Scott Forbes: Forbes Brothers

Ronnie Jacobs: Forbes Brothers

Barbara Payton & Audra Kubat backstage

Audra Kubat Performs at the Mackinac Island Music Festival.

2010-08-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

Detroit folk artist Audra Kubat is performing during the 6th Annual Mackinac Island Music Festival. She is a force. Not like a military force. More like a force of nature. A strong wind that blows past and transcends fads. A flower that’s blossomed from coffeehouse gigs into larger theater and festival performances.

Audra wears her influences—Joni, Miles, Billie, and Nick Drake like a coat of many colors rewoven into a “ ruggedly pretty “ and haunting style all her own. It’s a talent that's earned her a loyal following, airtime, stellar reviews in local and national press and 10 Detroit Music Awards nominations including a win for Outstanding Folk Artist 2001. Audra’s played Detroit’s best venues, as well as gigs in galleries and bars from Chicago to New York to Tennessee and back. Forces, by definition, move.

From her post as front woman in the eclectic rock band Stunning Amazon, she moved on and released two solo albums with a bold and perhaps unexpected choice of production men. Her solo debut, 2000’s “Elixir” and 2002’s “Untitled for Now” were produced by Al Sutton (Detroit Cobras) and Mike E. Clark (seminal garage\|/punk—The Gories and Primal Scream) respectively. Both prove her to be an acoustic artist capable of cresting toward the harder edge of the shore.

Audra’s force is centrifugal, spinning out from its singer/songwriter center into a myriad of other talents. Whether she’s modeling for designers (Camillo Padro, Zaim), displaying art work at some of Detroit’s hippest art galleries, providing soundtrack work or opening for Sponge performing a burlesque number, she’s a well respected artist. 2003’s annually held “Tastefest”, a city event, which typically includes 50 performing acts invited Audra and her manager to debut a new stage which included 20 local solo artists.

Audra’s CD, “Million Year Old Sand” is the latest step in her musical evolution. Recorded as a cooperative effort between Audra and Gold Cash Gold’s Eric Hoegemeyer, it illustrates what can happen when two unique artists from different musical camps put their hearts and souls into one project. Organic, ethereal, mysterious, healing, quiet yet powerful with bare yet imaginative production, “Sand’ is a truly inspired record that will appeal to rock and acoustic music fans alike.

She is taking the stage at 8pm, Wednesday, August 18th at Mission Point Theatre on Mackinac Island. Tickets are available from the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau (800) 454-5227, at the door or online from www.ticketriver.com

Events for the 2010 Mackinac Island Music Festival

2010-08-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

6th Annual Mackinac Island Music Festival Events
August 17-19, 2010

While unlikely, events are subject to change.
Tuesday, August 17th
6pm Sunsets at Stonecliffe with Songwriter Billy Brandt
Influenced by the likes of Gram Parsons to Neil Young, this Detroit Music Award winner will perform an intimate show on the portico of the Island’s largest estate.
Inn at Stonecliffe (drinks/menu available)
www.billybrandt.net

10pm Jazz Night with Alex Graham Quartet
A resident of New York City for 10 years, Alex moved to Mackinac Island, Michigan after becoming the music director at Grand Hotel in 2001. Under his leadership, USA Today has praised Grand Hotel’s music as its best amenity. Grand Hotel’s Gate House (drinks/menu)
www.alexander-graham.com

Wednesday, August 18th
3pm-6pm Mackinac Island Unplugged & The Art of Rock
Festival musicians jam the afternoon away at the legendary Pink Pony on the waterfront overlooking the straits of Mackinac while acclaimed rock poster artist and fine arts painter Mark Arminski signs the annual festival poster. His eye-popping designs are why he has created the Mackinac Island Music Festival Poster since 2006. Signed art prints will be available for $35 and are limited to 200.
Pink Pony (drinks/menu)
www.arminski.com

8pm An Evening of Music & Comedy with DC Malone and special guest Audra Kubat
With his slightly warped take on life, relationships, drinking and with great musical talent to back it up, D.C. Malone is very entertaining. Opening the show is singer/songwriter Audra Kubat whose ruggedly pretty yet haunting style has earned her Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Folk Artist. Mission Point Theatre, $10 (18 & over, doors open at 7pm, full bar, concessions)
DC Malone
Audra Kubat

Thursday, August 19th
1pm Mackinac Island Unplugged with Chordiology & Classic Rock THE BEAR
Chordiology-Enjoy this great barbershop/vocal group feat. Cliff Dake, Tenor, Dave Spizarny, Bass, Paul Ellinger, Lead and Rob Pettigrew, Baritone. Bistro on the Greens at Mission Point
(drinks/menu available). Enjoy a special meet and greet with Mizz Christal from Classic Rock THE BEAR
www.chordiology.com

2pm Mackinac Island Unplugged
Michelle Chenard-After several years in New York City, Michelle returned to her roots in Michigan, releasing three CDs and opening for such acts as Collective Soul and Reba McIntyre. She was recently voted best performer in Northern Michigan by the readers of Northern Express. Harbour View Inn (BBQ available)
www.michellechenard.com

3pm Mackinac Island Unplugged with Billy Brandt
Billy has been recognized with numerous Detroit Music Awards for songwriter, guitarist and vocalist in both the Acoustic/Folk and Country categories, as well as almost two dozen additional award nominations as a member of Grievous Angel and the Jill Jack Band. Inn on Mackinac (soft drinks/coffee/pizza)
www.billybrandt.net

4pm Mackinac Island Unplugged with Jill Jack
Jill’s genre-blending style of folk, rock, country, Americana and just plain good song writing reaches out and connects wherever she goes. “She’s got the stage presence, the voice, the ability to interpret songs passionately ... there’s a lot of soul in what she does” -- Billboard Magazine. Carriage House at Hotel Iroquois (drinks, menu available)
www.jilljack.com

8pm Mackinac Island’s Festival Express
This concert pays tribute to the concert/documentary film Festival Express featuring the world’s biggest rock bands in 1970; Janis Joplin, Buddy Guy, Grateful Dead, The Band, Traffic and more.

Featuring Forbes Brothers, Michelle Chenard, Pam Finkel, Jill Jack, Audra Kubat, Mary McGuire, Barbara
Payton, Sarana VerLin, Jack Barnwell, Billy Brandt, Chris Brantley, George Friend, Richard Hulett, DC Malone, Matt Myers, Nino Dmytryszyn, Gary Rasmussen, Donny Sorensen, Charlie Springer, Charlie “Wong” Teeny and Chordiology. Mission Point Theatre $10 (all ages, doors open at 7pm, full bar, concessions)

10pm: Downtown Pub Crawl Jam
Hang out with the musicians as they take to the stages for some great impromptu entertainment.
Pink Pony, Horn’s Bar, Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub

Tickets:
All tickets are available in advance from the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau (next to the Murray Hotel),
online from www.ticketriver.com and at the door.

Tickets are non-refundable.

The Mackinac Island Music Festival is made possible by the following partners:

Grey Goose-the world’s best tasting vodka
www.greygoose.com

Great Turtle Festivals
www.greatturtlefestivals.org

Mission Point Resort
www.missionpoint.com

Classic Rock: The BEAR
www.classicrockthebear.com

Miller-Coors
www.millercoors.com

Mackinac Island Music Festival Downloadable Brochure

2010-08-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

The events are completed, confirmed and ready for download. We will post them all in the next blog post too.

For those that like the standard full color 9 x 12 brochure, click on http://www.mackinacisland.org/pdfs/2010_musicfestival.pdf

For those that want a classic black and white 8.5 x 11 brochure, click on http://www.mackinacisland.org/pdfs/musicfestivalbrochure_blackandwhite_2010.pdf

Printing tips:
If you just want the text, either turn off the background printing on your printer through print preferences or just cut and past the text into a word doc. Its that easy!

Mackinac Island Music Festival August 17-19, 2010

2010-08-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

Mackinac Island, Michigan-Mackinac Island has been known as a gathering place for centuries and musicians from across the country will gather August 17-19, 2010 for the Mackinac Island Music Festival. Presented by the Grey Goose-the World’s Best Tasting Vodka, Classic Rock THE BEAR and Great Turtle Festivals, performances abound around the car-less Island’s quaint pubs, historic theatres and includes a tribute to the mega concert Festival Express.

Veteran blues musician/comedian DC Malone will headline on August 18, incorporating some incredible guitar work and a great blues voice. Malone relates “I love to perform; to form an instant rapport with a live audience is a great feeling.” With his slightly warped take on life, relationships, drinking and with great music to back it up, DC Malone is very entertaining. Opening the show is Detroit Music Award Winner Audra Kubat, one of the Motor City’s most well known voices. Incorporating folk, rock, alternative and indie styles, her instrumental ability is only overshadowed by her unique and unforgettable voice.

This season the festival will pay tribute to the 1970 mega concert/rockumentary "Festival Express” which was a multi-band, multi-day extravaganza that captured the spirit and imagination of a generation and a nation. Musicians included Janis Joplin, The Band, Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, Traffic, Sha Na Na and more. It is considered “one of the best performance films of all time” by Hollywood Reporter.

Detroit Music Award winning blues/folk singer extraordinaire Barbara Payton (Bob Seger/Kid Rock vocalist) will perform with guitarist Chris Brantley (Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels) and take on the tunes of Janis Joplin while Billy Brandt and his band of musicians will take on the Grateful Dead. Island musician Mary McGuire and friends will interpret the music of Traffic while the Forbes Brothers, recipients of over 25 Detroit Music Awards, will revive the tunes of The Band.

Island musician and festival director Mary McGuire shares “performing with friends immersed in the beauty of Mackinac Island makes this festival something special. We all get to live together on a beautiful Island and jam before and after all the gigs.” She adds “the Mission Point Theatre is charming, it was built with fifty foot trusses made of Norway Pine from nearby Bois Blanc Island and forty-five tons of native stone so not only is it beautiful, the sound quality is amazing.”

Tickets are available from the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau (800) 454-5227, at the door and online from www.ticketriver.com

—XXX—

About the Mackinac Island Music Festival:

The Mackinac Music Festival began as a one-day event, and in 2006, expanded to a three-day festival, as an outcome of past popularity and success. The festival has found considerable recognition since its beginnings, and has become one of Mackinac Island's most exciting festivals of the season.

Mackinac Island is a National Historic Landmark located between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas and covers 2,200 acres of land.  The Island banned private motor vehicle use during the last century and today relies on the services of more than 600 horses to provide residents and visitors transportation around the Island.

For more information visit:

www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org

Contact:

Bart Berkshire

Events Director 

Great Turtle Festivals

info@greatturtlefestivals.org

800-454-5227

Mackinac Island's Last Waltz

2009-08-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin writing about this concert? Mackinac Island's Last Waltz was the final event of the music festival this year and it was a great finale to a wonderful festival of music. As a tribute to The Band, all of the musicians really stepped it up to put on an homage to some of the best artists of the 70's.

The Last Waltz was a farewell concert for The Band at Winterland Arena and became known as the first Rockumentary directed by Martin Scorsese. It was filmed in 1976 and released in 1978.

Featuring The Band, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, and more well known Folk/Rock/Blues/Country and Singer/Songwriters well known in the 70's, the film is still hailed today as one of rock's best, but it is more...it is a historic document of the musicians of the era and their exploration of American music styles that still influences musicians today. The Band's Robbie Robertson knew Martin Scorsese, asked him to record the show and so it all began. There was a ton of planning for both men and foremost, Scorsese had to be willing to turn Winterland, a well known concert venue into a film studio. The musicians had to be organized, rehearsed and willing to play under the direction of Robertson and Scorsese to accomplish the vision of Roberston and Scorsese.

Last year, I was chatting with Annie and Bonnie from Elephant Revival to figure out how we could bring in many of the musicians from the pubs downtown that don't write original music as well as ideas for new events for the festival. I think it was Bonnie that shared the idea of the Last Waltz, she said they had been involved in a tribute show to the film in Boulder, Colorado and that it was a very cool event. I started thinking about it for the Island and how to pull it all off.

The Forbes Brothers agreed to take on the monumental task of learing all the tunes as The Band and put in an incredible amount of time and energy and even coordinated rehearsals with musicians from all over the state. Though, something happened that night, The Forbes were more than musicians playing cover tunes, they really absorbed the music, recreated it with their own sound and gave it back ten fold. The Forbes were just amazing and it was as if The Band wrote Ophelia specifically for Ronny and the band. From the moment they stepped on the stage and struck the first notes of the night, they were on fire and took no prisoners.

The show started with John D. Lamb and Miss Michigan USA Lyndsey Tycholiz welcoming the crowd and filling them in on what were all about to do on stage. John was great and the perfect emcee. He has a great stage presence and he thoroughly researched the film and each and every musician that performed that night. A true gentelman emcee and big kudos to John and Lyndsey for their part in making the show flow and bringing in the audience to know what was happening and why.

Jimi Herr rocked the stage lights and Simon Rodriguez's El Diablo lightshow was psychedilic to say the least. Everyone commented on how great and professional the lights were. We were fortunate and are indebted to Jimi and Simon for their artistry.

The first set started out with a bang with Up On Cripple Creek and song after song was absolute perfection. The sound was really, really good which was a huge undertaking for Donny Henderson, but you never would have known. He and Jerry did an amazing job with the stage mix and the room mix. All of us could hear each other so well, it was a blessing. The sound for all of us playing in a real theatre with a real lightshow was an experience we will never forget.

Fortunately, Donny recorded the whole night so we will be looking forward to hearing the show in the future. Everyone behind the scenes, on the stage and in the audience was a part of the show and you could feel it. I can't find the right words to do justice to describe the show today, but for now, here is the playlist for the night....

Set 1
Forbes Brothers: The Band-Up on Cripple Creek
Forbes Brothers: Ronnie Hawkins & The Band-Who Do You Love
Paul Bedour (vocals, acoustic guitar) & Jason St. Onge (bass) Donny Sorenson (drums) from the band Tricky Dicky and the Spoonmen with Kyle White (vocals) with the Forbes Brothers: Neil Young-Helpless
Michelle Chenard from Petoskey (vocals, acoustic guitar) with the Forbes Brothes: The Band-The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
John D. Lamb (vocals, acoustic guitar): Neil Diamond – Dry Your Eyes
Myk Rise from Mt. Pleasant and Mackinac Island (vocals, elec. Guitar) with the Forbes Brothers: Eric Clapton – Further on Up the Road
Barbara Payton (vocals) & Chris Brantley (elec guitar) from Detroit and Chris from Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels with the Forbes Brothers: The Band-Don’t Do It

Set 2
Forbes Brothers: The Band-Ophelia
Ash Can Van Gogh, featuring Billy Brandt, Mary McGuire, JC Whitelaw, Nino Dmytryszyn and Gary Rasmussen with the Forbes Brothers: Bob Dylan & The Band-I Shall Be Released
JC Whitelaw (vocals, acoustic guitar & Nino Dmytryszyn (drums) with the Forbes Brothers: The Band-It Makes No Difference
Billy Brandt (vocals, acoustic guitar), Mary McGuire & Barbara Payton (background vocals) with the Forbes Brothers : Bob Dylan – Forever Young
Mary McGuire (vocals, acoustic guitar), Jack Barnwell (percussion) and the Forbes Brothers: Joni Mitchell – Coyote
Charlie Springer (vocals, guitar) with the Forbes Brothers: Van Morrison-Caravan
Kraig Kenning (vocals, guitar) with the Forbes Brothers: Muddy Waters – Mannish Boy
Charlie "Wong" Teney(harmonica), Charlie Springer (vocals): Paul Butterfield – Mystery Train
Forbes Brothers: Finale with everyone: The Band-The Weight

The Forbes Brothers are:
Scott Forbes: guitar and vocals
Dennis Forbes guitar and vocals
Ronny Jacobs: lead singer
Tom Hollyer: guitar and vocals
Jon Ross: bass guitar
George Canterbury: keyboards
Dave Jack: drums

Sound: Donny Henderson
Stage Sound: Jerry Thomas
Lights: Jimi Herr, Fantasee Lighting
Theatre Wall Lightshow: Simon Rodriguez, El Diablo Lightshow
Road Crew: Franc Doud, Bobby Roach
Photographer: Kate Levy http://www.katelevyphotography.com/
Hospitality: Nikki Gugin, Nicole Beaune,
Front of the House: Great Turtle Festivals board Becki Barnwell, Jay Porcaro and David Levy
Tickets: the crew from Millie's on Main and Kathy Foy from Harbour View Inn

Mitch Ryder rocks the Music Festival

2009-08-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels put on an excellent show on the Island Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at the Mission Point Theatre. The band was high energy playing old favorites Jenny Take a Ride, CC Rider and Rock n Roll mixed in with great new material. Never knowing how an audience will react...the new tunes were well received and really some of the best work by the band as you could tell they really enjoyed playing the new music.

Mitch just finished recording new material with producer and fellow Detroiter Don Was. Check out Don's radio show The Motor City Hayride on Sirius channel 63 and XM channel 12. He'll be featuring Mitch pretty soon. While Mitch Ryder has been kickin' out albums overseas, this is Mitch's first American release since 1983's Never Kick A Sleeping Dog. The songs are powerful and we can't wait to get our hands on it to upload it to http://www.radiomackinac.org/, our streaming internet radio station.

Photographer Kate Levy did a helluva job capturing the moments on stage and off. Her images can be found at http://www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org/ by clicking on the Gallery Link.

Mitch has such a powerful voice for such a soft spoken man. We all walked away from the show in awe and were certainly reminded why he is a rock legend. For more about Mitch, visit his site http://www.mitchryder.de/

Mackinac Island Music Festival Posters

2009-08-30T06:22:00.001-07:00

We love our posters and why not? They are created by Rock's best artist, Mark Arminski. Limited to 200 each season, this art print is archival quality and printed with non-fade soy based inks. Each poster is signed and numbered by the artist and is available for sale for $35 including shipping. The money raised from the poster sales directly benefit the Mackinac Island Music Festival.

2009 Poster at left

To order: call (800) 454-5227 or email staff@mackinacisland.org.

Mackinac Island Music Festival CD Volume 1

2009-08-30T06:17:00.000-07:00

The Mackinac Island Music Festival CD is finished and available from the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau as a CD for $15 or Download Card for $10. It's amazing.

Artists are: Kraig Kenning, The Hummingbirds, John D. Lamb, Grievous Angel, The Forbes Brothers, JC Whitelaw, Mary McGuire, Tangerine Trousers, Barbara Payton, Colin Gilmore, The Mickeys, Elephant Revival, Jill Jack, Michelle Chenard and Ash Can Van Gogh.

Mastered by the fabulous Dennis Forbes and JC Whitelaw with artwork by Mark Arminski.

To order, email staff@mackinacisland.org or call (800) 454-5227.

2009-08-30T06:13:00.000-07:00

New Mackinac Island Music Festival Logo

Its sweet and we couldn't have a better artist to create our logo. Detroit artist Mark Arminski designs the Mackinac Island Music Festival poster art each season and this year he created our logo. There is just nothing like it. Mark's work is amazing and can be found all over the world.We especially love the Edwardian era girl playing guitar amidst the background of the Mackinac Island State Park. Leave it to Mark to leave no stone unturned!!!
His site is http://www.arminski.com/, be sure to check it out. He will be here on Mackinac Island August 8 & 19 and his Art of Rock exhibition will take place at Horn's Bar http://www.hornsbar.com/ for the week leading up to the music festival. His work is quintessential rock art. Fortunately, his work will also be for sale at Horn's and he'll be on hand autographing the festival posters as well. The collectible art prints will be for sale at the event and throughout the music festival for just $35 each.
More: http://www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org/

Mackinac Island Music Festival Digital Download Cards

2009-08-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Mackinac Island Music Festival is proud to introduce the Mackinac Island Music Festival Volume 1 Download Cards. This is another fantastic way to have audio memories of the festival musicians from the past several years. The cards are created on recycled stock and contain the album artwork on the front with a unique download ID on the back that’s good for one download of the album from our online partners DigStation.

Though, if you don't want to wait for the card, or want to buy just a couple songs on the disc, they are available by clicking here: for 99 cents each.

All proceeds from this disc directly benefit the Mackinac Island Music Festival http://www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org/.

Image: Elephant Revival, Mission Point Theatre, 2008 Mackinac Island Music Festival. Image by Kate Levy

Dinner with Mitch Ryder

2009-08-05T14:25:00.001-07:00

A special evening with veteran rock/soul musician Mitch Ryder takes place at 7pm, Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at the award winning restaurant Carriage House at Hotel Iroquois on Mackinac Island. Chef Jim Lahti is at the helm at the Carriage House dining room which is well-known for its excellent food, fine service and beautiful waterfront location.

The dinner will be amazing and feature an upscale medley of classic American cuisine. Conde` Nast Gold List and Travel and Leisure Top 500 recipient, the hotel was awarded a perfect 100 location points by Conde` Nast Traveler Magazine for its beautiful waterfront setting. The Hotel Iroquois offers forty-six guest rooms, suites and waterfront dining in the Carriage House restaurant.

Mitch will give a chat about his life and music in a gorgeous setting overlooking the straits of Mackinac. His musical director Pat Harwood will also be on hand. Pat is well known music veteran in the Detroit area

Reservations are necessary for the chef and as seating is limited, just call Hotel Iroquois (906) 847-3321 to save your place at the table.

Tickets are $135 and benefit the Mackinac Arts Council and Great Turtle Festivals. The ticket includes dinner, Grey Goose Bar, and tickets to the show on Wednesday night.

Mackinac Island Music Festival CD Volume 1 in Production.

2009-08-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

Today is the day. The Mackinac Island Music Festival CD is finished and on its way to Oasis CD for duplication. Its going to be amazing. We are printing discs and download cards...makes life so easy.

The artists that have contributed so far include: Colin Gilmore, Elephant Revival, Ash Can Van Gogh, Kraig Kenning, Jill Jack, The Hummingbirds, Billy Brandt, The Mickey's, John D. Lamb and more to be listed later. Just waiting on the final set list from Dennis Forbes and JC Whitelaw who have mastered the disc gratis for us here on the Rock.

Jen, from Oasis CD has been great to work with and turns out she knows Chris Shepler, from Shepler's Ferry...small world!

More to come.... http://www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org
Image: Colin Gilmore at the Mackinac Hoedown 2008. Image by Kate Levy, http://www.katelevyphotography.com

Mark Arminski creates logo for the Mackinac Island Music Festival

2009-08-05T14:18:00.001-07:00

New Mackinac Island Music Festival Logo

Its sweet and we couldn't have a better artist to create our logo. Detroit artist Mark Arminski designs the Mackinac Island Music Festival poster art each season and this year he created our logo. There is just nothing like it. Mark's work is amazing and can be found all over the world.

We especially love the Edwardian era girl playing guitar amidst the background of the Mackinac Island State Park. Leave it to Mark to leave no stone unturned!!!

His site is http://www.arminski.com/, be sure to check it out. He will be here on Mackinac Island August 8 & 19 and his Art of Rock exhibition will take place at Horn's Bar http://www.hornsbar.com/ for the week leading up to the music festival. His work is quintessential rock art. Fortunately, his work will also be for sale at Horn's and he'll be on hand autographing the festival posters as well. The collectible art prints will be for sale at the event and throughout the music festival for just $35 each.

More: http://www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org/

To order by phone: (800) 454-5227

The Last Waltz

2009-04-22T19:16:00.001-07:00

Last season, the most excellent band Elephant Revival suggested we reenact The Last Waltz as they had been part of a big production in Colorado. We thought it was a fitting idea and a great way to involve the musicians that work in the pubs around town all summer along with the singer/songwriters who perform in the festival.

So after a great chat with Dennis Forbes from The Forbes Brothers, we decided to approach the other musicians around town and those performing for the upcoming festival. Everyone was psyched.

The Last Waltz was the first rockumentary featuring The Band in their farewell concert and the entire event was filmed by Martin Scorsese. The musicians that joined them included Bob Dylan , Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Hawkins, Muddy Waters, Ringo Starr, Emmy Lou Harris, The Staples, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Dr. John...the list just goes on and on.

The Forbes Brothers have agreed to be The Band and musicians sitting in include:
Billy Brandt
Mary McGuire
JC Whitelaw
Nino Dmytryszyn
Barbara Payton
Michelle Chenard
Paul Bedour
Jason St. Onge
Myk Rise
Charlie Springer
Kraig Kenning
Doug Leedke
and loads of other great folks to make it all happen.

Tickets will only be $10 and the proceeds will benefit Great Turtle Festivals (www.greatturtlefestivals.org) which is the Island's non-profit festival and event group. They really need the dough to keep it all going so come on and support this very cool event.

Thanks to Elephant Revival for the idea and hats off to Scorsese and The Band for making this idea possible at all.

Its all about the music www.mackinacislandmusicfestival.org

New Website

2009-03-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

The Mackinac Arts Council has just asked us, Great Turtle Festivals (http://www.greatturtlefestivals.org/) to take on the details of the Mackinac Island Music Festival. Becki Barnwell, the executive director of the Mackinac Arts Council is going to stay on and assist us to ensure the festival is a success. She has worked hard over the past 5 years to bring the festival to a new level and has acheived so much. We are proud that she and her board of directors have passed the torch to us at Great Turtle Festivals.

After finalizing all the acts, the next order of business is working with our friends from Mackinac Design (http://www.mackinacdesign.com/) on a new site for the Mackinac Island Music Festival.

Kate Levy (http://www.katelevyphotography.com/) took amazing shots last season and has given us the use of her work to show the beauty of the festival.

So stay tuned, there is much to share....

Elephant Revival at Mission Point Theatre, 2008 (www.itsevolving.com) by Kate Levy.