National Band Information

The Spinners-playing Friday, August 8 from 10p.m.-11:15p.m.
Website: www.thespinnersmusic.com

Most often thought of as a Motown recording act, the classic group sound of legendary R&B recording artists, The Spinners has never lost its universal appeal.  Throughout the years they have sold millions of records and topped both the Pop and R&B charts with smash hits like “I’ll Be Around” and “Then Came You.” Today, original members Bobbie Smith and Henry Fambrough are joined onstage by lead singer Charlton Washington, high tenor Spike Deleon, bass singer Jessie Peck and a soul-infused 5-piece band.

The mighty Spinners have six Grammy nominations and have performed twice during the awards ceremony.  Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, they have also been awarded the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Award for their contribution to R & B.  The group has performed for presidents, received a star on the Hollywood “Walk of Fame,” and has appeared in numerous network and cable television specials paying tribute to the music of the 70’s. 

Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels-playing Saturday, August 9 from 10p.m.-11:15p.m.
Website: www.mitchryder.com
High octane, turbo, high performance, super charged MITCH RYDER & The Detroit Wheels didn't need to hail from the Motor City for those adjectives to be tossed their way, but it was certainly appropriate that they called Motown  home. It was Mitch and The Wheels who served as the musical bridge between the Motown soul factory and the high energy, take no prisoners rock 'n' roll that would roar out of Detroit via Iggy & The Stooges, MC5, Ted Nugent and Bob Seger.
      With Ryder, it wasn't attitude or public outrage or politics that generated the charge you could simply hear it in the music. Ryder hit during the mid-'60s when AM radio was going through a golden era courtesy of Motown, Stax, the British Invasion, Aretha, JB, and any number of garage band one-hit wonders. But no one on the radio then could match Mitch and company for pure visceral excitement, no one else could make the hair stand up on the back of your neck and a wild-eyed gleam creep into your eyes because you just know that SOMETHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

Stellar Road-playing Thursday, August 6 from 9:45p.m.-12a.m.
Website:  www.myspace.com/stellarroadband

Stellar Road has had a number of incarnations since brothers Jack and Mike Daly and good friend, Justin Griffin,  began playing guitar and writing songs together eight years ago. It was not long before the trio developed into the nucleus of one of the most popular bands in Chicago. Over the past five years, Stellar Road has played hundreds of shows across the United States, from the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles to Soldier Field in Chicago.
In 2004, the band released their debut album, Better Than Yesterday. This album featured fan favorites like  “Breathe,” “Rain,” and “Fade Away.” The songs quickly grew popular with the public, leading to a demanding tour schedule and appearances on NBC, WGN, and ABC. It was not long before the band was known as one of the Midwest’s best live acts.

Stellar Road is composed of Jack Daly, Mike Daly, Justin Griffin, Reese Jones, and Adrian Pacheco. The music they play comes from their gift for blending dexterous guitar playing and mellifluous vocals with pulsating bass lines and masterful drumming. Simply stated, they love to play and write music.

In February 2008, Stellar Road began recording their second album with Manny Sanchez (Umphrey’s McGee, Smashing Pumpkins, Plain White T’s,) at I.V. Lab Studios in Chicago. In

We Know Jackson – playing Thursday, August 6 from 7p.m.-9:15 p.m.
Website: www.myspace.com/weknowjackson
We Know Jackson is a three-piece pop/rock band from West Michigan. On keyboards and lead vocals is Chris Janowiak. Providing the foundation on the Electric Bass is Isaac Hansen whose background vocals add a shimmer to the shine. Laying down the beats and getting down with his bad self is Peter Breithaupt on the drums. All three are/were music majors at Western Michigan University.

Four Finger Five-playing Friday, August 8 from 5p.m.-6:30p.m.
Website: www.fourfingerfive.com
Incorporating myriad genres, including jazz, soul, rock, and pop, this trio from Muskegon, Michigan, has concocted a truly unique style, deftly taking the classic triumvirate of guitar, bass, and drums and building a sound that is at once  innovative and creative, while feeling as familiar as a thrift store coat.

Featuring collaborations with world-renowned saxophonist Karl Denson and veteran jazz/funk/jam pianist Anthony Smith, Four Finger Five presents a band that is young but confident, demonstrating tremendous talent with all aspects of the songwriting craft and a willingness to leave traditional conceptions of jazz/rock/soul combinations at the door.

Key to their success of blending various styles to create a cohesive and meaningful sound is the band’s almost magical ability to apply their impressive talents in a manner that fosters a group mentality, while simultaneously allowing individual members to showcase their skills. The result is a powerful musical synergy. Sturgill’s mellifluous vocals are penetrating without overshadowing the instrumentation or backing vocals, immediately conjuring images of Traffic-era Steve Winwood. Harris somehow balances computer precision, the restraint of jazz, and Keith Moon-era rock n’ roll bombast. Phillips’ utter command of the bass is instantly reminiscent of Victor Wooten, which is hardly surprising as Phillips and Wooten have shared the stage on more than one occasion.

Soulz of Rhythm-playing Friday, August 8 from 7p.m.-9:30p.m.
Website: www.soulzofrhythm.com

After being in a number of bands over the years, developing a repertoire of music and collaborating with many
 talented musicians, Diego decided he should create The Soulz of Rhythm and bring a healthy mix of Soul, R&B, Funk, Swing, and Rock ‘n Roll to Michigan’s music scene. There are many good bands and great songs out there, but Diego wanted to perform unique classics that strike an emotional chord with the audience.
The Soulz’ songs include many classic R&B/Soul hits, but also 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, Rock ‘n Roll, Funk, and Swing. They love the horn lines in many of these songs, but when the song is purely Rock & Roll, the horn players will sing background vocals and add a little Rhythm of their own.

Truthtone Records-playing Friday, August 8 from 11:45p.m.-1:15p.m.
Website: www.myspace.com/truthtonerecordsmzk
"Our mission is to translate the human condition through music, poetry, spoken word and dance while at the simultaneously utilizing  our resources to strengthen our community and the world."

Those Delta Rhythm Blues Kings-playing Saturday, August 9 from 5p.m.-7p.m.
Website: www.myspace.com/thosedeltarhythmkings

Winners of the Capital Area Blues Society Blues Brawl and competitors at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis focuses on "Jump" Blues, Swing, and the little big band sound of the 1940's. Playing tunes from the likes of legends B.B. King, Count Basie, Louis Jordan, T. Bone Walker, Roy Brown and many others. The Kings personify the party-time culture so prevalent in post-war america. The Kings started in 1982 as a trio, and have progressed through numerous personnel changes and stylistic tweaks to become the large jump band that they are today. Based in Lansing, the Kings have played coast to coast in Michigan as well as trips to Memphis and Canada. They have been nominated for two Jammie awards for their well received CD's "Every Night and Every Day" and winning the Award for their CD, "Just The Way We Like It".

Both were recorded by Glen Brown for Glen Brown Productions in East Lansing Mi. The Band has shared the stage with many well-known performers including opening for Roomful of Blues, Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Mark Hummel, Bobby Rush, Smokin' Joe Kubek w/ B'nois King, the late great Robert Lockwood Jr. among others. The King's have also been the "Back-Up" band on several occassions for James Harman. They are a favorite at many community events as their music appeals to people of all ages. The band has enjoyed "Air Play" from stations as far away as France, California, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Canada, Kansas, and many more. THE KINGS SWING HARD AND HEAVY, DELIVERING KNOCKOUT PERFORMANCES WHEREVER THEY PERFORM!!!

Bottoms Up-playing Saturday, August 9 from 7:30p.m.-9:30p.m.
Website:  www.bottoms-up-rock.com

Our dynamic 5-piece band recreates all of your favorite songs from the 1970’s to today. With 5 excellent vocalists and great musicianship, Bottoms Up has a stage presentation that will bring any crowd to it’s feet.  From KC and the Sunshine Band to AC/DC, Bottoms Up performs your favorite party songs exactly as you remember them with the excitement and flare that only a live band can generate. This is not a disc jockey playing recordings of your favorite songs, but real players bringing great songs to life with an energetic presentation. There’s nothing better when you need good music.
From festivals to night clubs and private parties, fun, great music and dancing follows Bottoms Up wherever they go.

In Custody, playing Saturday, August 9 from 11:45 p.m. to 1:15 a.m.
Website: www.myspace.com/incustodyrocks
This cover rock-n-roll band has become a Kalamazoo dance-band favorite.  Many remember their famous KISS Tribute show and they are know for a stage show that will keep you rock’n.  Band member include: Tom Stanfield-Lead Vocals, Chris Kloosterman-Lead Guitar, Mike Varricchio-Drums, Rick Finedell-Bass, Bob Penny-Guitar  

MoJo Molotov-playing Thursday, August 6 from 5p.m.-6:30p.m.
Website: www.myspace.com/mojomolotov
It began simple. Thomas Bradford and Evan Kincaid met under normal circumstances. They jammed together in Thomas's apartment, blasting loud bass/drum style music throughout the complex. No complaints were ever made, only compliments. One day while walking back from class, Thomas saw a kid walking down the street with a guitar strapped to his back. That kid was Scott Hager. Soon enough, we had a new addition to our jam session in the small apartment. Though crowded and loud, we rocked it like an arena.  Regardless, we told the people and they came, and they wanted more and more, so we gave it to them. We wanted to be the voice... the voice, and a message to deliver musical liberation to a period of time in where nobody knows what they want to hear, they just know what’s popular.