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AWT2007,
OSA2008,
AWT2004,
AWT2011
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Pushing the boundaries between folk, pop, and roots music, Josh Rose has never been big on labels. Growing up in the sparsely populated and culturally deprived Upper Peninsula of Michigan almost forced him to forge a musical identity all his own.
Since moving to Grand Rapids, Josh decided to strike a new path in the local singer songwriter scene, but also celebrate the exceptional tradition that is already here. Josh has blazed ahead on this path with songs that stick with you and seep into your subconscious like the lingering April snows of his youth. Yet with all the questions and all of the labels, what his music boils down to is a thought: sometimes edgy, sometimes collective, and sometimes romantic.
Slow Bloom is Josh’s first full length album, showcasing his poignant and insightful concoction of modern folk and pop. Produced by Michael Crittenden, this album contains song after song of cognition-splitting music that will passionately fill the air between all of us…
www.josh-rose.com
www.myspace.com/strikerrose
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AWT2007,
AWT2011
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Dean Wiers-Windemuller was born and raised in West Michigan. He got his first guitar at the age of 14 and was primarily self-taught throughout high school. At the age of 19 he left Michigan to attend Wheaton College in Illinois, where he studied jazz and classical guitar. In 2003 he spent his first extended stay in Chicago and began to learn blues fingerstyle guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Dean enjoyed Chicago so much that he moved there upon graduation from Wheaton in 2004. He spent a year living on the north side, taking private lessons from great players in the area, performing jazz, classical, and Irish traditional music, and maintaining a private teaching studio of 20 students.
Dean returned to his native West Michigan in August of 2005 and began performing heavily as an acoustic blues and folk solo artist. In September of 2006, Dean formed Open Land with Chicago musicians Dave Miller (lead guitar), Hyosub Kim (upright bass), and Andre Beasley (drums and percussion). In October of 2006 Dean joined Tango Folias (grtango.org) with Carmen Maret (flute), Andrew Bergeron (guitar) and Debbie Crosser (violin).
Dean is currently performing as a solo act and with his groups at venues throughout the Midwest.
Judging from the packed room, smiling faces, and tapping feet our patrons felt the performance was a real treat...Dean provided the library with one of our best-attended programs...I expect in the future to see him listed among the state's most talented performers.
- Loutit District Library, Grand Haven, MI
Kerry FitzGerald, Assistant Director ...One senses a close personal tie between Dean and the music he writes...
- Recoil
This singer-songwriter and blues fingerstyle guitarist who's studied music in Chicago renders impressive musicianship...
- Grand Rapids Press
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=55561
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AWT2005,
AWT2007,
AWT2006,
AWT2004,
AWT2011
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Karisa Wilson is an award winning singer-songwriter from Michigan. Her debut album "Little Girl" won the WYCE's Album of the Year Jammie, one of Michigan's most prestigious indie music awards. Karisa writes and performs a blend of Indie pop, jazz and blues. Now an accomplished vocalist and guitarist, Karisa started her musical journey as a classical violinist. In high school she found her voice, and after college she picked up a guitar.
As she played local gigs in West Michigan, demand for her unique soulful blend of jazz, blues and folk—think eclectic Americana—grew.
She completed the recording and production of her debut album, Little Girl, in just eight months, and with help from engineer Greg Baxter and a few friends, managed every detail of the album, and planned every detail of the event. The August 2007 release party at the historical Wealthy Theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan was an unexpected success. “I was blown away when the event sold out,” she says. “They had to lock the doors.”
Karisa went on to capture the 2008 WYCE 'Best New Artist', as well as the coveted 'Album of the Year' Jammie awards.>
http://www.tempwebsite.com
http://www.myspace.com/wilsonkarisa
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AWT2007
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The Lynn Thompson Band's latest album “Say So.” Heavy rhythmic guitar, three saxophone horn section, funky bass and upbeat pop drumming. Originated by singer songwriter Lynn Thompson front man and producer of his third album. Spans a wildly eclectic spectrum of musical styles; his acoustic frenzy is haunting and captivating. Strong vocals and curious rhythms blend in a pleasing repertoire that is uniquely fringe. His recent album is a compendium of thought provoking imagery.
A strong connection with emotions, the elements and everyday experiences makes this album electrically charged. Lynn Thompson is a self-taught musician and lyricist and has been exploring creative styles since the age of nine. The Lynn Thompson band is new to the live music scene of Grand Rapids. Although the band is playing large venues like the Festival of the Arts, Celebration on the Grand, One of the headliners for the Grand Rapids East Town Fair, Billy's, Founders and live radio broadcasts on WYCE radio.
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Read more...
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AWT2007
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With her sweet, wry, perspective on things, Annie puts herself – and a host of other subjects – on a laboratory slide, peers in close, and makes discoveries that ring satisfyingly true. A warm, earthy voice carries her rich and captivating melodies that are punctuated beautifully by the guitar work of husband, Rod Capps, who handles both electric and acoustic and the tenor banjo with equal rootsy grace.
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Read more...
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AWT2008,
AWT2007
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A newcomer to the local songwriting community, Dorothy Cooley maintains that "living, loving and suffering should count on the experience meter." She began playing guitar when she was 11 when she discovered she could play "Proud Mary" as a show and tell project. Her first attempts at songwriting come shortly after attending a Harry Chapin concert as a teenager. Her musical experiences include singing in the Grand Rapids Opera Chorus as well as the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus.
www.dorothycooley.com |
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AWT2007
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After a 13 year hiatus from playing music I found myself in need of a place to put my heart and soul. A family tragedy led me to writing again. I discovered songwriting as my medium for dealing with grief and telling stories. For me the story line is key. Happy or sad, it's got to be real.
Since I restarting two years ago I haven't thought twice about returning to my passion, writing songs. It's been a remarkable journey.
I began going to open mic nights around town. This is a great way to get your voice heard, meet other musicians, and the people who listen to what we do.
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Read more...
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AWT2007
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Years of dedication to music shows in the presentation by singer-songwriter Brian Higgins whose songs conjure up images of America. Lyrics are presented with the kind of honesty that makes you believe he has lived every moment of every song. Throughout work with Arganik, Truckstop Cobras, The Underlings and his new band Strung-Up, the rare solo gigs stand out as a stark statement of songs from the heartland.
http://www.myspace.com/strungupduo |
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AWT2007
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Sara Luneack grew up in Alma, Michigan and loved music from a young age. Her first musical memory is that of the old organ that sat in her house. As a toddler she loved to experiment with the keys and the stops, though she couldn’t reach the pedals. Sara also adored music class in 1st grade and would stay after to talk with the teacher about composers. She began taking piano in first grade, and auditioned for her first musical role, the role of Molly in Annie¸ and received it.
From there Sara was swept into the world of the theater, and spent long hours there acting in shows like Oklahoma, Brigadoon, Alice in Wonderland (Alice), South Pacific, The Music Man, The Diary of Anne Frank (Anne), Mister Angel (Little Angel), and A Gershwin Review, as well as in numerous summer workshops.
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Read more...
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AWT2007
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Singer-songwriter, Josh Schicker, has been working hard to become one of independent music's most promising rising artists. After years of fronting rock bands, this soulful singer has found his true voice as a solo artist with roots in folk and pop styles. Schicker’s music is both soothing and earnest as his strong vocals soar above melodic and unpredictable chord progressions.
As a song-writer and recording artist, Schicker collaborated in 2005 with Grammy-winning producer/engineer, Mitch Dane (Nashville, TN) on his latest release, Moonlighting. Schicker's dynamic music has found its way into independent films, music videos and iPods all over the world. Josh Schicker is acoustic pop at its best.
Schicker and his wife Rebekah are traveling the country exploring the culture and music scenes of some of the most interesting places in North America.
http://www.joshschicker.com/ |
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