BluesFest 2017 Performers

Posted
Friday, Sept. 15, 2017

Frog and the Beeftones

5:00pm – 6:00pm | South Stage

S.J. “Frog” Forgey is renowned as one of Lansing’s hardest working--and continuously working--guitar players, with great vocal chops as well, fronting Frog & the Beeftones well into their third decade.. Their “100% beef” sound combines blues with a healthy dose of rock that gets audiences moving. No one is “left hungry” leaving a Beeftones show, as the fun music leaves everyone in the audience satisfied.

Jim Shaneberger Band

6:00pm – 7:00pm | North Stage

Led by front man Jim Shaneberger--a skilled guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and vocalist-- the band has moved beyond its Grand Rapids roots to high profile gigs and competing in the International Blues Challenge. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, and Motown classics, they mix rock, funk, soul, and blues into a sound all their own. Their first album, Work in Progress, was nominated for four Jammie Awards in 2014, and had radio play all over the world. With the release of their new album, Above & Below, this band is no longer a “work in progress,” but a growing force in the music scene.

Greg Nagy with special guests Ray Goodman & Rachel Nagy

7:00pm – 8:30pm | South Stage

After years as guitarist for Lansing’s renowned band Root Doctor, in 2009 Nagy released his first solo album, Walk that Fine Line, which garnered a Best New Artist Debut nomination at the Blues Music Awards, received rave reviews and worldwide airplay, peaking at #3 on XM Satellite Radio. Greg then raised his own bar several notches with the 2011 release of Fell Toward None, which garnered widespread praise in high blues places and new recognition of his “heart-stopping, exceptional vocals.”

Joining him at BluesFest is Ray Goodman, former guitarist with SRC and Mitch Rider. Individually these performers are already legendary, but bring together their guitar, songwriting and vocal talent, and a whole new amazing sound is created.

War and Treaty

8:30pm – 9:30pm | North Stage

The name of this duo represents the pull between trauma and tranquility, and it’s how this all started -- with memorials Michael Trotter wrote for fallen soldiers during his time in Iraq, starting with the Captain who made sure he made it out of war alive, and too many memorials since. He came in first place in “Military Idol,” the army’s version of “American Idol,” earning him wider recognition. Then he met Tanya Blount, a seasoned performer in her own right, and now his wife. Their individual styles merged into a unique mix of bluegrass, roots music, bluegrass, gospel and soul. Their hit single, “Hi Ho,” is now getting radio play throughout the country.

Karen Lovely

9:30pm – 11:00pm | South Stage

A singer since “forever,” Lovely finally had her break into the blues scene in 2010 when she placed second at that year’s International Blues Challenge. The following year she earned three Blues Music Award nominations. She hasn’t stopped receiving awards and nominations since- -not surprising, given her unique voice that ranges from lyrical to powerhouse. She mixes contemporary and old school blues styles to create a strong Americana sound- -driven and passionate, in a vocal style that is uniquely her own, accompanied by what Blues Rock Review lauded as “imaginative guitar work that will appeal to those who are looking for more than twelve-bar blues.” Her fourth album, Ten Miles of Bad Road, made the Top 25 Blues Album list for radio stations across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. And she’s sure to bring an unforgettable performance into Old Town and the BluesFest.

Stan Budzynski & 3rd Degree

11:00pm – 1:00am | UrbanBeat (1213 Turner)

Stan Budzynski & 3rd Degree, one of the most recognizable names in blues throughout Lansing’s music scene, features premier slide guitarist Stan Budzynski, bassist Ron Bretz, drummer Dan Mead, and keyboardist Greg “Biff” Hodge. In 2005 and again in 2009 they won the Capital Area Blues Society’s annual Blues Brawl with sets of all-original tunes. The Lansing-based band has performed all over Michigan, including at the Jackson Blues Festival, Shepherd Blues Festival and this year will be their sixth appearance at Old Town BluesFest. Stan is the proprietor of local production and recording studio Guitarman Productions. He specializes in blues recordings, and working on the production side of the industry allows him to stay connected and interact with aspiring and working musicians. Check out their music on Reverbnation.

Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017

KidzBeat

1:00pm - 5:00pm | North Turner

Bob Wilson Electric guitar mentor

Josh Wilson Electric bass mentor

MSU Community Music School

Petting zoo — Woodwinds/brass

Art Projects

Broad Art Museum

Music Workshops

2:30pm - 5:30pm | MICA Gallery 1210 Turner

2:00pm - 2:45pm Harmonica for Kids

Back by popular demand: The workshop, presented by harmonica pro Andy Wilson, encourages kids to play the harmonica, and free ones are provided for the first 100 participants, thanks to the sponsorship of Elderly Instruments. Wilson started playing harmonica at a young age himself, and went on to also play trumpet, Cajun accordion and Irish whistles, and been a member of a multiple professional blues bands. He’s worked in the Capital Area Blues Society (CABS) “Blues in Schools” program, and received national recognition as a featured performer at the 2007 Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica convention.

3:00pm - 3:45pm Stan Budzynski Slide Guitar techniques in regular & open tunings (welcome to bring your own to try)

4:00pm - 4:45pm Chris Canas Band Blues forms & progressions, as applied to guitar, bass, guitar, horns and keyboard (bring you can, to play along with the pros)

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