MUSIC & TALENT

2025 PERFORMERS
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Steel & Wood
Steel and Wood offers heartfelt, traditional music with roots emanating from Southern Appalachia and harkening back to American railroad culture. The band’s repertoire spans the works of Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Jim and Jesse McReynolds and many others, plus a sampling of original tunes, classic country and folk/rock selections.

Kevin Johnson
Growing up in a house where the music of great songwriters was almost required listening, Kevin's musical beginnings included influences from songwriters such as John Prine, Bob Dylan, Joanie Mitchell, Carol King, James Taylor, and Kris Kristofferson. As he grew, and his curiosity with music had opportunities to explore new artists, Kevin continued to be drawn to great lyricists of almost all genres of music. Even now, his search for new music inevitably draws him to the words offered up by some of today’s finest such as Jason Isbell, William Prince, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and too many others to mention.
Once described as an “observational philosopher” Kevin’s songwriting goes straight for the heart. Whether it’s about being in love, the sadness of a breakup, the loss of a loved one, or introspective social commentary, Kevin always seems to capture the feeling of the moment and bring it to life in song.

Annie Bacon
Annie Bacon is a writer and songwriter living in Ann Arbor, Michigan (via Maine and San Francisco). With her OSHEN she merges a literary writing style and folk-rock Americana sound to create rich and emotionally complex music. Bacon emerges from a loss-filled five years with 2024’s Storm, praised as “a landmark release” (Glide), “mature and sophisticated songwriting” (AmericanaUK), and “brilliant nostalgic elegance” (The Wild Is Calling). She also composed a folk opera, co-created a full-length musical, and is working on a novel on themes of motherhood & war.

John Richard Paul
John Richard Paul is a Northern Michigan-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist specializing in heartfelt, deeply personal lyrics ruminating on life, love and loss, all filtered through a timeless Americana lens.
A veteran of the Northern Michigan music scene, John Richard Paul has played with a who’s who of local artists over the last decade. His most current roles include: bass and vocals for up-and-coming country artist Drew Hale; one half of the popular acoustic duo Rhett & John; bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, and vocals for acclaimed singer-songwriter Jack M. Senff & The Heartland Mission; bass and vocals for celebrated singer-songwriter A.S. Lutes; bass for the NMC Jazz Big Band; and bass for local jazz-fusion group East Bay Drive.
A full-time musician for more than half a decade, John Richard Paul has worked his way to becoming a well-respected mainstay on the Northern Michigan music scene. His debut full length recording, The Road of Life (2024), features musical contributions from fellow Northern Michigan notables Drew Hale (electric guitar), Phillip Parker (producer, cello, keys, guitar, percussion), Will Harris (drums), Chris Sterr (electric guitar), Andrew Dost (keys), Erik Deutsch (keys), Jim Kremidas (pedal steel), Jack Senff (vocals), and Rhett DuCouer (vocals).

Audra Kubat
Detroit Music Award winning singer/songwriter Audra Kubat has released 6 albums to critical acclaim in a career that spans over 20 years. A composer, performer, and educator, Kubat’s work has earned her a place in the community as a resource for empowerment through songwriting and music. Her methods of composition articulate grace and uncover hidden places that defy easy categorization. An offering of stark and beautiful reality that possesses experience yet embraces the whimsical. She has shared bills with Aimee Mann, Rodriguez, Roberta Flack, Greta Van Fleet, The War and Treaty, Whit Hill, and Jolie Holland, to name a few. Kubat has toured extensively throughout the US and sells records to an international audience.

Red Thyme
Red Thyme is an indie-Bluegrass band from Grand Rapids, MI- Fronted by songwriting powerhouse, Hals Smedstad, on vocals and rhythm guitar, Jeremiah “Jerry” Wenger on backing vocals and guitar, Jeff Valensky on upright bass and vocals, and Tyler Littleton on mandolin.
Red Thyme’s music is a unique blend of traditional bluegrass and modern indie-folk and rock influences. Their songs frequently showcase intricate instrumental arrangements, tight harmonies, and heartfelt storytelling- exploring themes of love, nature, growth, and everyday life.
The band has so far released one single and EP, “Places You Don’t Go,” which serve as a testament to the band’s hard work and dedication to their craft. The band has also gained a following in their local roots and Americana music scene, with fans appreciating their ability to blend traditional and modern sounds.
Red Thyme’s music is perfect for fans of bluegrass, folk, and indie music. With their unique sounds and energetic live performances, they are definitely a band to watch out for.

Joe Reilly (Trio)
Joe Reilly is a singer, songwriter, social worker, Dharma teacher, and educator who writes songs from his heart. His songs are playful, clever, engaging, joyful, and always have something meaningful to say.
The core of his message is an invitation to heal our relationships with ourselves, with each other, and with the earth. Joe uses his music to bring people together and build community across lines of race, class, gender, ethnicity, religion, age, and nationality.
Joe is of Italian, Irish, and Native American (Cherokee/Choctaw) ancestry, and was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan in a creative household by musical parents who encouraged him to find his own voice. He spent five years as a member of the Treetown Singers, an inter-tribal Native drum group based in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Joe’s aspiration is to water seeds of compassion, joy, healing, inclusive community, and peace in our collective consciousness through the sharing of music.

Levitator
Levitator is a Northern Michigan based psychedelic rock band known for its hypnotic grooves, soaring melodies and immersive high-energy shows. Blending classic rock with modern psychedelia and experimental soundscapes, they deliver a dynamic sound that balances nostalgia and innovation. Most recently they’ve been seen performing at Blissfest Music Festival, the Pyramid Scheme and other various venues across Michigan. They also just received a Michigan based music award nomination for their latest EP The Real Beyond.
Gasoline Gypsies

Four part vocal harmonies, dual lead guitars, and a tasty rhythm section built on drums, bass, and keys make up the music of The Gasoline Gypsies. But, the magic in their music is born of a driving work ethic that has earned them the reputation of being one of the tightest bands on the Mitten Music scene.
The Gasoline Gypsies draw influence from the roots of rock, folk, bluegrass, and country to create their own style of Americana Rock, crafted and arranged to serve the song. Unplugged, they can mesmerize small listening rooms, or they can plug in and rock large venues.
The eight time Detroit Music Award winners, The Gasoline Gypsies are enthusiastically followed by their fervent fan tribe, The Vagabundos. Find them at a show, and you’ll likely experience an alchemy that draws together the music, the people, and the family that is The Gasoline Gypsies experience.


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