2023 Performers
First, you’ll hear Amy Petty’s voice. At the same time overwhelmingly powerful and impossibly delicate, she sails between lullaby and seduction, pleading and rebuke, bringing the you to the edge of your seat. Then you’ll hear her songs, playing out in the head like short films, thoughtful and unconventional yet somehow familiar. Steady, percussive guitar lays a foundation for her vulnerable lyrics and their heartfelt delivery, bringing you back to her haunting and unforgettable voice.
Amy Petty
Songs about broken things and poignant little ponderings are delivered with a rootsy vibe, a touch of twang and a soulful groove. Annie and Rod are on a musical journey that began in 1982, culminating into a symbiotic sound that reflects their deep and intuitive understanding of each other. Annie’s disarming, earthy voice and solid command of her guitar are punctuated by Rod’s effortless, accompaniment and beautiful solo work. Together they weave unforgettable melodies that are at once intricate and sparse – musically completing each others’ sentences.
Annie & Rod Capps
“When I write a song, I start with a feeling—my main goal is to have a strong emotional exchange with the audience through my music,” shares Americana-Folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Aspen Jacobsen. The award-winning artist is an empathic and thought-provoking lyricist with a flair for many time-honored roots music traditions. The artist from Commerce, Michigan is also only 18 years old.
At just 9 years of age, Aspen found her purpose while busking for tips with a little red ukulele. Since then, the prodigiously gifted musician has earned awards and scholarships; has actively released EPs and singles; and she has performed at a variety of well-respected venues and festivals. Today, Aspen furthers a variety of Americana styles through a series of personal and purposeful singles.
“I first heard old time music at my first music festival, and I immediately connected with the music and the community. There was so much love and acceptance there,” she recalls. “I soon realized that this is what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
Aspen Jacobsen
Ben Traverse is a traditional folk singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and member of the Earthwork Music Collective with deep roots in Michigan.
Despite not coming from a musical family, Traverse has been drawn to live music since he held his first guitar at 2 years old – a gift from his grandfather. Ben’s real musical journey truly began nearly a decade go with a collaborative after-school program presented by Earthwork Music and SEEDS celebrating Alan Lomax’s 1938 folksong recordings of Michigan.
Ben Traverse
As a seasoned performer, songwriter, and recording artist, Billy King's presence in the independent music scene brings an original blend of rootsy folk/pop with an occasional touch of country swing.
Billy’s versatility as a multi-genre singer-songwriter is matched by his ability on a wide range of instruments from guitar and banjo to keyboards and accordion. An engaging solo and duo performer, Billy also delivers a high-energy set with his full band, which includes some of the area’s top musicians. Traversing intimate acoustic venues, major festival stages, and popular rural gatherings, he performs with lightness, dynamism, and sincerity.
Billy King
&
Emily Slomovits is an Ann Arbor-based freelance musician, theatre artist, teacher, and writer. She has studied violin and voice in classical, jazz and folk styles for over fifteen years, and folk guitar for almost ten years. Emily plays music with her dad and uncle, the duo Gemini, with her dad as San and Emily, with singer-songwriter Billy King as well as with many other musicians, including Judy Banker, Billy Brandt, Annie and Rod Capps, and Jill Jack.
Emily Slomovits
The Blue Water Ramblers, est. 2002, write their own songs and take turns harmonizing with each other to create a colorful tapestry of sounds. “Banjo-Jim” Foerch on his acoustic and electric banjos and R.H. “Bear” Berends on his big Martin guitar are the core of the Rambler vocal and writing team. Then add “California Dan” Lynn laying down the steady rhythm on his doghouse,
But wait, there's more! Nate Myers adding mandolin leads and fills. Julia Kent of blazing fiddle licks on soaring melodies. The unique Blue Water Rambler sound. In our performances you will hear songs expressing our unique take on life both present and past in styles folky to bluegrass, Americana and roots.
Blue Water Ramblers
A pianist, guitarist and songwriter from Alanson who performs regularly across northern Michigan, Charlie Millard hosts a regular open-mic night in Petoskey and fronts his own indie-rock band.
“Ray Charles, Greg Brown, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison are staples in the house along with a bit of blues,” said Millard, whose skills were honed with help from his guitar-playing father, two piano teachers – one from the classical side and the other steeped in jazz – and a diverse palette of musical influences.
The Accidentals call Millard an “incredible songwriter” with a “really cool roots rock vibe.”
Charlie Millard Band
Christine Havrilla
Award-winning Philadelphia native Christine Havrilla brings her “well-built, catchy, smart tunes” (Upstage Magazine) to audiences everywhere, touring solo and also with the support of her band, Gypsy Fuzz. Early 2023 brought the release of a new EP & single called, “California Night”, which is a blend of 90s guitar and late 60s harmonies wrapped up in this catchy rocker about sharing the California Coast & it’s memories.
Christine utilizes the soft gritty texture of her vocals to express warmth and honesty listeners quickly embrace as well as her aggressive, raw, trash-style guitar playing and looping. The Journal of Roots Music listed Christine in the article named “Through the Lens: Women Leading the Way in Roots Music”(November 2021)
Christine has also shared the stage with an eclectic list of artists like Brandi Carlile, KT Tunstall, Shawn Colvin, Chely Wright, Howard Jones, Jeffrey Gaines, America, Trigger Hippy, Jill Sobule, Janis Ian, Patty Larkin, Karla Bonoff, Christopher Cross, Susan Werner, Vienna Teng, Antigone Rising, Dave Mason, & Davy Knowels.
Hail” won the “2019 Homey Awards” for “Best Country/American Song! Michaela Majoun, former DJ from 88.5 WXPN, applauds her "terrific, big sound”, while Philadelphia Magazine states, “She rocks!”
Listed with Takamine Guitar’s Worldwide Artists, Clayton Picks, and Telefunken Microphones, Christine continues to write & record new music, play bass with Mama's Black Sheep, & work on an indy film called "Yachatz"
Southeast Michigan natives Dave Boutette & Kristi Lynn Davis have found the magic that happens when two voices share a melody. Kristi’s natural gift for harmony has instantly brought new life to Dave’s celebrated catalog of songs, as is evidenced on their releases Easy as Pie (2018) and Seven Stars Around the Moon (2020).
Dave & Kristi’s music is a blend of many schools of American roots and popular music including folk, blues, swing, and old time country. The lyrics testify to the power of true love, rebirth, coffee, and even migrating fish.
Dave Boutette &
Kristi Lynn Davis
Michigan-born Navy veteran Drew Nelson is a storytelling songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. A fly fisherman and world traveler, he writes as a witness to the lives and journeys of those he has met along the way, mixing Americana and roots-rock with traditional folk styles.
Drew has toured across North America and Europe, performing solo and opening for popular rock artists like Melissa Etheridge and Edwin McCain as well as esteemed folk singers like Josh White Jr. and John Gorka.
Drew Nelson & Highway 2
Carey has been singing at festivals, colleges, and listening rooms across the US, Canada and Europe since 1999, performing alongside Sara Bareilles, Brandi Carlile, and Shawn Colvin. Her co-writes have been recorded by #1 artists Shawn Mullins and Chely Wright. She’s also been a featured artist on PRI’s Mountain Stage. She's appeared at the country's most prestigious folk festivals including Telluride Bluegrass, Rocky Mountain Folks, Newport Folk, 30A Songwriters, and Cayamo. Her duo lullabies project with Sarah Sample garnered several children's music awards, including Best Children’s Album in the 2015 Independent Music Awards, and she was a featured vocalist on Joanie Leeds’ Grammy-Winning Ensemble Album All the Ladies in 2020. Her eleventh album The Veil will be released June 3rd, 2022.
Edie Carey
A blend of American folk, country, rock-n-roll, and blues, Erik Koskinen realizes a sound that is distinctive and fresh while familiar and classic. On April 2nd, the Minnesota songsmith announces the June 28th release of Burning The Deal on Real Phonic Records/Tone Tree Music, sharing the shuffling “Big Plane” video. The clip features Amelia Fleetwood (daughter of Mick) and the track is out now.
Koskinen’s albums are a lyrical and musical metaphor of America’s theaters of war, history, relationships, and reflections in the mirror. Burning The Deal was produced by Koskinen and Bernie Larsen (Melissa Etheridge, Jackson Browne) and recorded by Jason Mariani (Mumford & Sons, Kenny Loggins) at Brotheryn Studios in Ojai, California.
Erik Koskinen