Live Entertainment

Pop Evil - Point Blank - Steel Wheels Band - Jo Caine

Don't miss the PARTY TENT hosted by Ernest Entertainment.*
 

Friday, July 16, 2010

Point Blank - Opening for Steel Wheels

Fairgrounds @ 8:15 pm.

We have been together since 2001 and still going. We love to play cuz we love the music!

Band members: Randy Goodman (vocals, sax), Bill Peppel (vocals, guitar),
Dave Dekett (guitar, vocals), Brian Datzko (drums, vocals), Cory Cousineau (bass, vocals).

Friday, July 16, 2010

Steel Wheels Band

Fairgrounds Grandstands @ 10 pm.

In 2006, The Steel Wheels Band was formed with the idea of bringing high energy country music back to Mid-Michigan. Three years later the band has take this premise to a whole new level. They have quickly taken the Tri-City area by storm and are on the verge of becoming a state-wide household name.

The magic ingredient by far, is front man Dale Michaels. Dale is a firecracker on stage and immediately gets the crowd revved up for a great show. He ahs been described as having Hank Jrs attitude, Garth Brooks energy, and more driving power than a 4-wheel drive John Deere tractor.

In addition to Dale, the band has some very notable players with impressive resumes from the Tri-City area. They have five accomplished vocalists in the band which makes for some very lush harmonies that set them apart from other bands. The band has hit their stride and they are ready to branch out and take the Steel Wheels Train to as many Michigan cities as they can.

Whether you are a fan of the old classic country standards, or the current cross-over drivin' country music, The Steel Wheels Band can cover all the bases. The band is tight, the vocals are exceptional, and the 'show' is a must see. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the smoke and the roar because the Steel Wheels Train has left the station and is heading to a town near you!

Be prepared to be BLOWN AWAY

at the most incredible show ever !
 

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Pop Evil

Fairgrounds Grandstands @ 10 pm.

With Lipstick On The Mirror (Universal Republic/Pazzo Music), the Grand Rapids quintet revs up rock n' roll. Their first full-length album is just as loud and proud as the midwestern mecca where they hail from. Pop Evil push out a propulsive combination of epic guitar leads, massive sing-a-longs and bombastic beats on songs like "Breathe" and "100 in a 55." When all is said and done, these five men provide the proverbial kick in the pants that hard rock needs these days.

When they get together, singer Leigh Kakaty, bassist Matt DiRito, drummer Dylan Allison and guitarists Tony Greve and Dave Grahs make fist-pumping rock with edge and heart. Leigh explains, "We're very driven by classic rock, and we're more worried about writing good songs than creating a sound. If it gets us excited, we go with it."

Pop Evil formed in 2001 when lifelong friends Dave, Dylan and Leigh began seriously gigging around Grand Rapids. In 2005, they recorded their debut EP with acclaimed producer Al Sutton (Kid Rock). Quickly, Leigh and Co. unleashed their first single "Somebody Like You" on local radio station 97.9 WGRD. The track was quickly bumped into regular rotation and it became the most requested tune on the station. Local buzz began to build more and more after the band's radio success. In 2007, Pop Evil rounded out their current lineup with Tony and Matt. Solidifying their creative core, they went back into the studio and cut "100 in a 55," which landed them at #1 again on WGRD.

Michigan is integral to the band's story in terms of inspiration and support. "We grew up as fans of Detroit Rock City artists—from Eminem and Kid Rock to Bob Seger," says Leigh. "The Detroit Lions, Red Wings and Pistons never get old for people in Michigan. A cranked up guitar, grinding drums and emotional lyrics never get old either. Michigan appreciates rock n roll."

In 2008, the band churned out Lipstick On the Mirror with Sutton once again behind the board. After releasing the record independently with Pazzo Music through Fontana Distribution, Universal Republic snatched it up. The new partnership sent the band back to the studio, this time with Chuck Alkazian (Elton John, Dave Matthews Band) at the helm to record a new song for the Universal Republic release. “Rolling Stone” was born from those sessions and Alkazian even went back and remixed songs which became the version of Lipstick that exists today. "The album is our timeline," continues Leigh. "The band's journey is a central theme. The beginning of Lipstick is very rock n' roll, but we bust out the acoustic guitars in the middle. We let people go on a trip with '100 in a 55,' and we take them on an emotional ride. We made this choice to be rock stars years ago, and it's too late to turn back."

Lipstick's first single "100 in a 55" is an undeniable anthem that's been lighting up the airwaves nationally in 2009. "Another Romeo and Juliet" also paints a vivid portrait, and it gives insight into the band's creative process. "I woke up with that song in a dream. It's got this 'Eruption' feel at the beginning that's totally rock n roll. We wanted to tell the story of this character's anger and frustration with his chick so it starts off with a ripping solo and breaks off into this very heavy guitar riff. It's very spiritual and exciting to see how it turned out."

For Leigh, the album title sums up the band's ethos and ethic, and the album's cover art ties in with the story. "Lipstick On the Mirror is about marking your place. Instead of going in and out of the industry with one or two songs, we're going to create a legacy. From the standpoint of a female who might've partied with the band in a hotel room, instead of just making a memory and leaving, she decides to write 'Pop Evil' on the mirror, kisses it and leaves her lipstick so we'll never forget her. That's the metaphor on the cover."

Pop Evil are living the rock life to the fullest, and they're showing no signs of slowing down either. Leigh proclaims, "Our name is Pop Evil because all five of us are influenced by completely different genres of music. As we come together, the songs take shape through that diversity. It's not a name; it's a lifestyle—on and off on the stage. This is our path and we're going to run our race."

On stage, Pop Evil never fails to put on a show. They've played with everyone from Theory of a Deadman, Saving Abel and Puddle of Mud to Tesla. That experience has made them arena-ready for their upcoming run with Judas Priest. "Our live show is our bread and butter," says Leigh. "People don't have money to waste anymore. They want to leave a concert saying, 'Wow, that was incredible.' When fans used to see Guns N' Roses and Pantera, they had a blast. Everyone will have a good time at a Pop Evil show. We do our part to bring the fun back to rock n' roll."

In the end, Pop Evil invites you to join the party too. "We want to get back to good old grimy guitar playing, raw soloing and relatable, catchy choruses that you can't get out of your head—whether you like the song or not. We're trying to build a relationship with our audience and give them an experience. We want to create our own musical family."

Pop Evil is certainly a family worth being a part of.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Opening Act - Jo Caine  

Fairgrounds Grandstands @ 8 pm.

At the intersection of Interstate 75 and Nine Mile Road, you will find "Hazel Park", Michigan. An unassuming suburb just outside of Detroit, lovingly dubbed "Hazeltucky" by its residents and just a stones throw from the original Model T factory. This is where JoCaine forges southern rock with Yankee pride.

JoCaine has been filling A-rooms all over metro Detroit, upstaging national acts and have managed to land his redneck, white trash, blue collar rock on more than one Hollywood motion picture soundtrack (Lonestar State of Mind, Laurel Canyon, The Last Run) and a popular TV series (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation).

JoCaine's original intentions were not to pursue a music career. As a 6' 4", 245 lb. All-American tight end in college, Joe Binki had plans to go pro. An absolute hurricane with a football in his hands, his teammates christened him "JoCaine".

Football took a backseat, though, when JoCaine decided to double down on his skills on the mic. Check out the 2003 release entitled "Piggy Back Ride", recorded at Pearl Sound (MPA) and produced and engineered by the infamous Chuck A (Tori Amos, Tool, Bob Seger, Eminem, Robert Plant). "Piggy Back Ride" features 10 slices of world-class rock and country served up side-by-side. "Piggy Back Ride" has sold over 6000 copies in the metro Detroit area alone, the title "Piggy Back Ride" is a reference to the wishful thinking and hangers-on of the entertainment industry.

A good friend of Jo's you all know him as "Uncle Kracker" has lent his voice to "Neck Of The Woods", a barn-burning rocker on the latest work-in-progress from JoCaine. The new album, titled "Can't you Smell Whats Cooking?", also features the legendary saxophone of Alto Reed, from Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band, blowing on the instant classic Underprivileged Baby.

To the enlightened masses that have seen and heard JoCaine, however, there is no mistaking the sound of JoCaine for anyone else.

On stage, the energy and vibe of a JoCaine performance captures fans from every audience he faces - just check whose T-shirts are selling out! Everyone wants to grab a piece of the next big thing from Detroit - JoCaine!

JoCaine is a seven member original rock/southern rock concert band. They have been on stage and/or supported such national acts as Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, Eric Church, David Allan Coe, Ty Herndon, Bret Michaels, Sponge. Tantric, SheDaisy, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Little Big Town, Trish Yearwood, Puddle of Mudd, Kenny Chesney, to name a few.

Live Bands

Entertainment this year in the tent in the corral at the fairgrounds will also include:

Ernest Entertainment  Monday - Thursday

Ernest Entertainment is a music trio that performs a variety of music. Their variety is so extensive that they are commonly known for entertaining 3 generations of fans. Levi Ernest is the youngest performer. At 19 years of age, he is an accomplished musician and singer. He performs pop/rock and receives standing ovations and shouts of “American Idol”.
Philip Ernest performs Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash to a “T”. He is nicknamed Phil Diamond by his fans. He is also the comedian of the group and a techno wizard.

Sherry Ernest has performed with many icons of country music. Barbra Mandrell, Ernest Tubbs, Tammy Wynette, Mickey Gilley and Sawyer Brown. She performs Celine Dion, Martina McBride and Barbara Streisand with such power, clarity, and a warm tone of voice that it stirs the hearts of many. She connects with the audience and really puts on a show.
As a group, Ernest Entertainment has performed on the east coast for resorts and upscale supper clubs. They have also performed for the state representatives of Michigan in Lansing, Michigan.

Jiva Live from Detroit on Wednesday night

Dubbed a mix of Lenny Kravitz and Aerosmith, JIVA's sound is a soul-filled take on Hard Rock. JIVA released a new EP with Producer Chuck Alkazian at Pearl Sound Studios. The new single "Set Me Free" is currently featured on both 89X (88.7FM) and WRIF (101.1FM)in Detroit. It also made its way to the 89X best of 2008 Homeboys show. You can call in to the station and request it at 313-298-7999, or email Jay Hudson at jay@89xradio.com!!! To request JIVA on the WRIF call 313-298-WRIF or email "The Doc" Doug Podell at doug@wrif.com.

REVOLVER Thursday night

REVOLVER formed in the summer of 2004 and rocked right out of the gate at our very first gig, the 21st annual West Branch H.O.G. Rendezvous. Since, REVOLVER, has been tearing the roof off of culbs and pubs, private functions, and large-scale festivals throughout Michigan.

REVOLVER is a four-piece band that specialized in "Shake-Your-Rump_And-Pump-Your-Fist" Rock 'N' Roll from classic to modern. Visit their website at www.REVOLVERtheBAND.com for tour dates, audio & video, pics and more!

REVOLVER Members: Marty Murphy, Roscommon - Bass and Vocals; Will Engemann, West Branch - Guitar & Vocals; Darrin Hunter, West Branch - Guitar and Vocals; Tony Ott, West Branch - Drums and Vocals.

ELLANAR Saturday @ 4pm

From the small town of Tawas City, Michigan comes Ellanar, a band a little out of the ordinary. Ellenar is highly entertaining to watch with catchy, yet intriguing songwriting.