AWT2010

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AWT 2010 Artists

AWT2010

OSA2010

Ruth and Max Bloomquist

AWT2010, AWT2011

Ruth & Max Bloomquist’s acoustic Americana is the stuff of rustic romantic dreams. Ruth’s songwriting and rich alto voice combined with their blend of harmony, guitar and upright bass draw the listener straight to the heart of every song.

Ruth and Max have been making music together since they first met and discovered their common love for practically any music that features acoustic instruments and lyrics that touch the heart. Bluegrass, traditional country, folk… the list goes on – Ruth and Max were excited by it all. Ruth’s performing career goes back even further. She has been performing since high school. By the time she met Max, she was singing professionally and had already toured outside their home state of Michigan.

http://www.ruthbloomquist.com/

Susan Picking

AWT2010, AWT2011

Susan Picking is a Southwestern Michigan gal who has recently relocated back here from Southern California. She is a piano playing, ukulele strumming, award winning singer songwriter with lashings of talent.

Yes, “Picking” is her real name, but tickling the ivories is her first musical language. Her moving melodies relfect a deep soul. Susan’s songs are about life, but not as we usually think of life. She cajoles the listener to see the quirky underbelly. Her wistful wit comes through a voice rich with lovely cadences.

Her Irish Heritage lead her to study Sean Nos, the traditional acappella singing. She was the vocalist and played bodhran with the Southern California based Celtic band Crannog.

Picking released her much anticipated first CD, Down in Your Soul, in 2008. She followed that up with a 3 track mini release titled Take Three in 2009, containing 2 award winning songs “Why”, and “Wonder in the Wander”. “Why” was included on the SongsAlive 10 an internationally released compilation CD.

She is currently hosting an essay contest from her website titled “Wonder in the Wander”. It is based on her song of the same title, which was inspired while on Safari in Africa. The song is about the universal human connection and the miracles and coincidences that happen every day. Visit www.susanpicking.com to enter your Wonder in your Wander.

Susan feels music is the universal language that connects and heals. Sing along with her “Winter’s tune”.....to attune your frequency to a higher vibration.

susanpicking.com
reverbnation/susanpicking
sonicbids/susanpicking

Brent Shirey

AWT2010, AWT2008, AWT2011

Brent Shirey is the singer-songwriter for Grand Rapids-based band, Valentiger. His affinity for classic and ageless tunes brings music that leans on time-tested melodies of the 60s, while also drawing from contemporary ideals and experiences. The energy of both old and new provides for albums rich in texture and warmth, and a live show that moves effortlessly from airy rock and roll to harmony rich folk-rock to subdued alt-country. All, of course, achieved with additional members Eric Kehoe (bass) and Scott Rider (drums).

The band has earned their reputation as a seasoned touring act, taking Shirey's songs to the road through ten independently booked and financed tours spanning the entire Eastern United States and Canada (CT, IL, IN, KS, TN, MA, MO, MS, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TN, TX, VT, D.C., London, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto). Highlights of the travels include the famed CBGB's, Knitting Factory, Sin e' and Boston's Middle East Club among many others. This decidedly grass-roots style of promotion and distribution has helped to define a dedication to Shirey's overt style of songwriting.

The band is currently recording the follow-up to 2009’s critically acclaimed “Power Lines To Electric Times.” It’s release is set for March 2011, coinciding with a showcase at South By Southwest in Austin, TX in association with Flying Dog Brewery. The album is yet again born from a completely independent process, as the band records from their personal studio while distributing without label support.

www.myspace.com/valentigermusic
www.valentigermusic.com

Cole Lesinski

AWT2010

Cole Lesinski was a finalist in the Winter's Tune Holiday songwriting contest in 2009. She wrote her first song at age 14 based on an internet chat room romance. By the age of 16, Cole was performing around West Michigan with local musician/luthier Mark Swanson.

As a music Major, Cole studied vocal performance at Grand Rapids Community College. She has performed many different genres including vocal jazz with GRCC's Shades of Blue, and was part of a group called the Madrigal Singers. Recently, Cole sang with local Indie Rock band My Car Your Car.

Casey Stratton

AWT2010

Singer/Songwriter Casey Stratton enters his 15th year in the music business with a sense of optimism, while keeping a watchful eye on the current state of the industry. Formerly signed to Sony Music Entertainment and Rondor Music Publishing, Casey has experienced the corporate side of music in full force. His 2004 album "Standing at the Edge" received high critical praise from the likes of Billboard, People and USA Today. His song "House of Jupiter" reached #1 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart and remained on the chart for 20 weeks.

Jane Stancil

AWT2010

Alias: Jane Jones; long-time member of Potato Moon, The Lonely Jones, and The Lollipops.

Likes: dark coffee, having a landline, Ray Charles.

Dislikes: self-centeredness, fast food, birds.

Other: full-time registered nurse, mother to son Beau.

Ben Scott-Brandt

AWT2009, AWT2010

Ben Scott-Brandt has been a songwriter and vocalist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for 12 years. He was the founder of the now-defunct Bunkbed Nights, an indie folk-rock group known for their unexpected house show performances. Formed in 1999, the group morphed from alt-country trio to seven-piece rock outfit, eventually swelling to a thirteen-member micro-orchestra and choir.

This bizarre metamorphosis proved too much to withstand, and they disbanded in 2006. Highlights of their career include an album sung in a made-up language, experimental instrumental arrangements featuring bowed bicycle wheel spokes and crumpling plastic bags, and their predilection for playing on the floor without amplification.

Joleen Rumsey

AWT2010

Joleen Filkin Rumsey began her journey with music as a child, studying first piano, then flute, and finally classical guitar. She moved to West Michigan to study Art at Grand Valley and has lived here, off and on, every since.

In 1998 she traveled to and studied traditional singing in India. In the Spring of 2001 she joined The Icicles, headed by long time friend Gretchen DeVault. Since joining The Icicles she has toured most of the US including several East Coast tours, and parts of Europe. In 2007 Joleen, with business partner Rachel Six, started Flutter Fashion, producing one of a kind fashion for women.

Gabrial James

AWT2010

Gabrial Lundy, performing under the moniker Gabrial James, is an acoustic singer/songwriter from Grand Rapids, MI. He has been playing the guitar since the age of fourteen and singing since the age of eight.

His late father taught him how to play the guitar and had formal vocal training in the Saint Cecilia Music Society Chorale from 1985-1989.

In the summer of 2003, Gabrial was invited to be the host/emcee of the acoustic open mic showcase at Billy's Lounge in Eastown, one of the finest venues for local music and blues in GR. For seven long years his tenure as host brought in a wide range of regional, national, and international talent from solo singer/songwriters to hip-hop outfits to stand-up comedy.

Gabrial also sings background vocals with the urban folk outfit of LVNMUZIQ.

Daniel Bracken

AWT2010

From his father's jazz collection, and the Motown and rock and roll of his youth, to recording and producing classical, jazz, folk, and gospel during many years associated with Public Radio, Daniel Bracken has continually absorbed and incorporated all of this into his own unique style as a singer-songwriter.

Daniel performs finger-style guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, and piano. His songs are sprinkled with liberal hints of traditional Irish and American roots.

myspace.com/danieljbracken

JimmieLee Danger

AWT2010

JimmieLee is a self-taught guitarist infected by the rockabilly bug at an early age. His first band (DangerVille) was formed in 1994 and has been going ever since. He has had various side projects doing various types of music.

JimmieLee teaches beginner guitar classes for the city of Wyoming and private teaching at his home.

myspace.com/jimmieleedangerandthecleverlyhillbillies

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