Kent County June 26-27 JuneGrass Festival News Fairgrounds, 2015! June 26 and 27, 2015! Lowell, MI presented by West Michigan Association JuneGrassJuneGrass PerformersPerformers && Pickers!Pickers!

JuneGrass 2015 is delighted to welcome top-notch re- Godfather Mark “Foose” gional and local talent to the stage! Take note that, not Zickefoose is rounding only do these bands boast seasoned stage veterans, but up the Michigan Mafia also they’ve been known to be avid campground pickers. String Band “hit men” Oooh, this is going to be fun! and they’ll be storming the Headlining this JuneGrass stage armed year’s event is with instruments and a Harbourtown hit list of talent. Foose’s Bluegrass. “hitmen,” include Jeff This group Sipe, Brent Bell and Scott needs no intro- “Buck” Robinson. duction to the tri-state area. Playing festi- vals, cruises Save the Dates! and numerous venues, this group brings wit and talent FallFest Camp and Jam! to the stage. With powerful vocals that blend smoothly, September 18 & 19, 2015 they perform many great original songs by the group’s leader, Tony Hickman, who formed Harbourtown in 1970. Harbourtown has tremendous stage presence and they’re Preliminary Festival Schedule sure to make you smile! When the Harbourtown bus rolls in, the fun begins! Thursday, June 25 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Pot Luck, Jam, and Band Scramble Sign Up 7:00 pm Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concert New Outlook Downtown Lowell Friday, June 26 of Ohio is 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm Silent Auction Opens quickly becom- 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm Vendor Area Open ing a Michigan 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Slow Jam favorite. They 5:00 pm Concert Gate Opens 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Live Music Under the Tent, 50/50 drawing have performed 9:25 pm – 10:00 pm Open Mic at the Char- All Day Campsite Jamming lotte Bluegrass Saturday, June 27 Festival, the 9:00 am – 10:00 am Free Workshops: Guitar, , , Marshall Blue- Harmonica, AutoHarp grass Fesitval 10:00 am Deadline for Band Scramble Sign Up 10:00 am – 11:30 am Workshop Jam and also a perennial crowd favorite at Zellie’s Opry House. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Bakery Open This talented quartet, featuring husband-wife duo Lori Lyn 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm Silent Auction Opens and Brad Lambert, performs at churches, festivals and 10:00 am – 10:30 pm Vendor Area Open 11:30 am Concert Gate Opens venues throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia and Tennes- 12:00 pm – 1:20 pm Band Scramble, WMBMA Board Introductions see. They are guaranteed to please! 1:25 pm – 10:00 pm Live Music Under the Tent, 50/50 drawing All Day Campsite Jamming For more information contact Lee Strassburger at [email protected] JuneGrass Festival News 2015 website: www.WMBMA.org Page 2

Newcomers to the JuneGrass stage, but well known on Michigan’s east side is True Blue. This long-time fa- vorite at music festivals and various venues throughout southeast Michi- gan, boasts musicianship, vocals and personality! The five-piece group consists of Mike Marrs on banjo and vocals, songwriter and luthier Mark VanRaemdonck on mandolin and vocals, Larry Horn on , Flint native Ron Hobson on rhythm guitar From the tip of Michigan’s “thumb” to the top and LouAnn Montney completing of the “mitten,” from the Wheatland Music the rhythm section on upright bass. Festival to various charity events, summer Always a fan favorite, True Blue is a concert series and numerous festivals. The tried, true, and traditional group. Blue Water Ramblers have been delighting audiences all over Michigan and the Mid- west. All four band members contribute to vocals, with “Bear” Berends on guitar, Jim Foerch on banjo, Dan Lynn on upright bass and Tom DeVries on mandolin.

The Zellie’s Band, best known as the “House” band at Zellie’s Opry House, performs “tried and true” bluegrass standards and gospel favorites. This foursome has also had the privilege of stepping out at Michigan and Indiana community music concerts, country clubs, churches, community music events and private events. Mark Schlutt plays lead guitar accompanied by Blue Lake Public Radio’s Steve Albert on banjo and Tia Turco-Brown on upright bass and harmony vocals. Zellie’s granddaughter, Terri Pippin-Grannis, rounds out the group on mandolin and harmony vocals.

Out of the Blue, regulars on the JuneGrass stage, has performed at festivals throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. Band members include Ted Geldhof on guitar and vocals, Jeff Lawless on upright bass and harmony vocals, Dave Conley Jr. on banjo and harmony vocals, Dave Conley Sr. on lead guitar, and George Laker on . Enjoy Out of the Blue’s traditional and contem- Steam Powered Bluegrass hails from west Michigan. Formed by five bluegrass porary bluegrass, along with their veterans with many years of playing experience, the gentlemen of SPB include toe-tapping gospel favorites. Jerry Tobin on fiddle, Al Pursley on guitar, Jim VanderWall on upright bass, Jim Strangways on mandolin and Paul Pope on banjo. They play an energetic style of bluegrass with just a touch of “newgrass” and even enjoy trying their hand at an occasional cross-over tune done bluegrass style. JuneGrass Festival News 2015 website: www.WMBMA.org Page 3 Attention JuneGrass Band Scramble Participants...

Sign Up!

Thursday Evening Pot Luck Come early and enjoy this annual event. This is always a fun evening being together as an organization and gives an opportunity to catch up on what’s new with WMBMA. All are welcome, so bring a dish to pass (and your own table service) and we will see you there at 5 pm (sharp). Let’s make this a special event celebrating our 20 years of doing Our Band Scramble is always a highlight of every festival, festivals. Bring along any memories or pictures you might so sign up and have some fun. There is no charge to sign have of past festivals. If you need any additional informa- up and play but there is money to win! All interested parties tion, or would like to help, contact Norma Knoll at nnoall@ should sign up with Doug Smith or Lee Strassburger at juno.com. either the Thursday evening Pot Luck or at the association After you attend the pot luck, you may want to visit table at the main gate on Friday evening. Everyone must downtown Lowell’s Sizzliln’ Summer Concert Series right be signed up by 10:00 AM Saturday morning. The Band on the Flat River for some live music. Music starts at 7 PM. Scramble itself will happen approximately at noon on Sat- Take your own chair and enjoy the music. Cold beverages urday. Please sign up for the fun. See you there! should be available. Fund Raising Success Josie Conley (shown serving food below) prepared her special recipe of sloppy joes for our fund raiser at Life- Steam Powered Bluegrass Pointe Church in Clarksville, MI on April 25. The mem- Red’s Bar and Grill, Middleville bers of LifePointe church provided many delicious des- serts for our enjoyment that day. Yumm! Yumm! Out of the Blue Band gave a great performance (as always). Successful proceeds came from the admission donations and refreshments. Many of the LifePointe church members were in attendance so it was nice to see some new faces. Out of the Blue LifePointe Church Clarksville On May 2, Steam Powered Bluegrass played for a fund raiser at Red’s Bar and Grill in Middleville. Members of Out of the Blue band joined them for some songs as well. Both fund raisers were well attended and a good time was had by all. We have been invited back! You are missing the fun if you aren’t coming out for our fund raisers! JuneGrass Festival News 2015 website: www.WMBMA.org Page 4 Silent Auction Guitar Raffle We need silent auction items, so if you have any new Merlin Peterson has donated a Jay Turser items or services we can auction off just bring them to to be given away at the 2016 festival on Saturday after- JuneGrass. If you have any questions contact Lee Stras- noon June 25, 2016. You will not need to be present to sburger at 616-891-8825 or send him an email at win. Buy a ticket and get your name in the hat! Come see [email protected]. Music or non-music items welcome. the guitar at selected times at the association table during JuneGrass and other events throughout the year. Tickets are only $1 each. Buy several and increase your chances of winning while supporting our organization. A big thank you to Merlin for this generous donation to the WMBMA. Bake Sale

WMBMA T-Shirts The T-Shirts are already designed, ordered, printed and awaiting the festival. Shop early at the association desk if you need an unusual size. Remember that we now have those fun, brighly colored T-shirts for women as well. Con- tinuing the T-shirt theme from the past several years, the 2016 T-shirts are designed with a fiddle featured on the front. Eat Well at JuneGrass! MENU Starlite Concessions (same as last year)

Fresh cut sweet potato fries (their specialty) Fresh cut Idaho fries We will need fresh homemade bake sale items for our Tornado sweet potato on a stick bake sale fund raiser. Please bring a batch of fresh home- Tornado potato on a stick made cookies for our sale to the association table or to Wraps: Jim Whipple’s trailer. Other items that are in demand are Cherry pecan chicken wrap with our homemade brownies and fudge. Yum! Yum! cherry vinaigrette Grilled chicken ranch wrap West Michigan Bluegrass Barbeque grilled chicken wrap Music Association presents our annual Vegetarian: Mediterranean bean wrap Falafel wrap JuneGrass 2015 Sandwiches: Our 20th Anniversary Turkey & Beef Burgers - of presenting festivals in West Michigan Sirloin steak burgers Grilled cheese Grilled PBJ Friday and Saturday June 26 and 27 Breakfast: Kent County Fairgrounds, Sweet potato pancakes Lowell, Michigan Egg & cheese burrito Harbourtown Bluegrass, New Outlook, Michigan Egg, sausage & cheese on English muffin Mafia String Band, True Blue, Blue Water Ramblers, Drinks: The Zellie’s Band, Out of the Blue, Steam Powered Bluegrass Fresh squeezed lemonade Pepsi products Band Scramble, Music Workshops, 50/50 Drawings, Bake Coffee Sale, Slow Jams, plenty of Camping & Jamming. JuneGrass Festival News 2015 website: www.WMBMA.org Page 5

Hello WMBMA Members, President’s Note

The festival season is upon us and JuneGrass is right to do at JuneGrass and that is VOLUNTEER some of your around the corner. I hope you are ready for a great fes- time. We always need help at the Main Gate, the asso- tival. This is a major milestone for us because 2015 is ciation table, and numerous other areas. So if you could our 20th year of doing a spring/summer bluegrass festi- spare a couple hours over the weekend please give me a val. Wow! What an achievement and it is something we call at 616-914-4282 or email me at president@wmbma. should all be very proud of. In this day and age not too org and we can set up some volunteer time. If I don’t get many events last 20 years. We have a number of mem- enough volunteers I will be calling the members to try and bers that were there at the very beginning and it’s great to get all our needed time slots filled. Thanks in advance for hear them tell stories about those early days of the WMB- helping us out! MA. Our Thursday evening Potluck will be a great place to Our bands are ready, the Lowell Fairgrounds are look- sit and reminisce with our “Founding Fathers”. One exam- ing good, the tent is rented, our sound company is hired, ple is “Hat Man” Jim Whipple. He has been selling 50/50 and we are ready to go. So come to JuneGrass and bring raffle tickets at our festivals now for 20 years and hasn’t a friend, it’s time to hear some great bands and do some missed a beat. He tells me that he will be retiring after our pickin’ and grinnin’. 2015 festivals. Have a Bluegrasss kind of day, While going through this JuneGrass newsletter, notice all the activities that are going on throughout the weekend. Lee Strassburger While we are at JuneGrass, we have some great bands to listen to, friends to catch up with, and a whole lot of jam- Lee Strassburger ming’ at the campsites. There is one more thing we need WMBMA President

And Now a Note from our Sponsors

We offer a heartfelt thank you to our underwriters and We have also run a very successful sponsorship cam- sponsors. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your con- paign within our membership. As a result we have several tributions make it possible for us to continue reaching our members that have stepped up and contributed to our as- goal to preserve and promote Bluegrass music in the West sociation. Here is a big thank you to the following people, Michigan area. bands, and business. Since obtaining our 501(c)3 designation from the IRS In addition, many of our members have made a signifi- as a charitable organization, we have had doors open for cant number of smaller donations, all of which have added us that were simply not available in the past. This year, to our ability to put on great bluegrass events such as we have applied for and received grants from the Michigan JuneGrass. Thank you one and all.! Council of Arts and Culture plus the Lowell Area Com- munity Foundation (part of the Grand Rapids Community Treasurer Foundation).

Silver Level Sponsors: Steve and Cindy Albert Val & Rosalyn Bennett Gary & Nikki Roen Bronze Level Sponsors: Rich and Loretta Alberta Reagan Family Dentistry Al Pursley & Pat Marcotte Mark & Julie Walker Duncan McMillan Zellie’s Opry House Out of the Blue Band Dave & Sue Simmonds Steam Powered Bluegrass Promoting and preserving Dave & Marianne Vogie bluegrass music in West Michigan Membership Renewal & Ticket Ordering Form

West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association Promoting and preserving bluegrass music in West Michigan Choose one: Choose one: Date: ______$10.00 Single Membership New $15.00 Family Membership Renewal

16 to 20 21 to 35 36 to 45 46 to 55 56 to 65 65 + Membership year runs (Age brackets: Please circle the one(s) that apply.) from July 1st to June 30

Name(s): ______(List names of children 15 years and younger included in this membership) ______

Address: ______

City: ______STATE______ZIP______

Phone: (______)______I can volunteer at the festival; please call me. E-Mail: ______

Special skills I can offer: ______Membership Payment

Membership renewal (check appropriate boxes above and fill in names) $ ______

Advance Tickets JuneGrass 2015 advanced weekend tickets - Number of tickets ______x $30 each $ ______

Camping Camping (with or without water & electricity) ______# of nights x $12 each $ ______

Order Total & Payment Method

Make checks payable to: “WMBMA” and send with a Total Amount: = $ ______self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Payment Enclosed (check payable to WMBMA) Josie Conley Charge my Visa/MasterCard/Discover/Amex (fill in below) 13295 Arthur Road ______-______-______-______Rodney, MI 49342 Acct# Exp Date ______/______/______CSV ______Advance ticket money must be Save some money - get ______postmarked by your tickets in advance! Signature June 6 June 2015 JuneGrass Festival News 2015 website: www.WMBMA.org Page 7 Things to do while in Lowell by Norma Noall

Visit Historic Lowell and The Greater Lowell Area. For infor- Lowell Bottled Gas: mation on points of interest in the Lowell Area visit the Lowell Crystal Flash, 1102 Lincoln Lake Rd. Area Chamber of Commerce, 113 Riverwalk Plaza, Lowell. Bernard’s Ace Hardware, 1601 W Main They are behind the Flat River Grill on E. Main Street and across the walkway from the Showboat. Miscellaneous: YMCA, 1335 W Main St., Lowell Lowell Shopping: James Veen Observatory, 3308 Kissing Rock, Lowell Flat River Outreach Ministries Thrift Shop 11535 E. Fulton Lowell H. S. Athletic Complex, 11700 Vergennes, Lowell (West of Lowell on M-21) Wittenbach Agri-Science Center, 11715, Vergennes, Lowell Goodwill Industries 11625 E. Fulton Englehardt Public Library, 200 N. Monroe, Lowell (West of Lowell on M-21) Miniature Horse Farm, Parnell Road, Lowell Meijer Thrifty Acres 11901 E. Fulton, (W of Lowell on M-21) John Ball Zoo, 1300 W Fulton, Grand Rapids Gary’s Country Meats 205 E. Main St. Frederik Meijer Garden, 1000 E Beltline NE, Grand Rapids. Farmer’s Market, Downtown Lowell, Thursdays Lowell Area Arts Council, 149 S Hudson, Lowell Springrove Variety Store, 123 W. Main St. Gun Lake Casino, 1123 129th Ave, Wayland. US 131, exit 61 Heidi’s Farm Market South of Lowell. Elderly Instruments, 1100 N Washington, Lansing Corner of Cascade Road & Alden Nash. (888) 473-5810

Lowell Food: Ball’s Softee Crème, 503 E Main St. Backwater Café, 109 Riverside Drive Keiser’s Kitchen, 700 E Main St. WMBMA Officers and Flat River Grill, 201 E. Main St. Board Members Larkin’s Restaurant, 301 W. Main St. Check out our WMBMA website: President: Museums: Lee Strassburger Lowell Area Historical Museum, 325 W. Main St., Lowell www.wmbma.org (616) 891-8825 Gerald R. Ford Museum, 303 Pearl St., NW, Grand Rapids Non-members can also sign [email protected] up to be notified of upcoming WMBMA events via e-mail Vice President: Things of interest: Open Main Street Inn 117 W Main St., Lowell (ask for a tour) Chadalee Farms – Litehouse 1400 Foreman, Lowell Check out our Facebook Treasurer: Amway, 7575 E. Fulton, Ada. Page - search: Doug Lindhout Visit Welcome Center in the World Headquarters West Michigan Bluegrass (616) 897-9404 [email protected] Scenic Drives Around the Lowell Area: Acting Secretary: • Murray Lake, North of Lowell on Causeway Dr. Mark Walker • Fallasburg Historic Village, Covered Bridge Rd., Lowell Promoting and preserving (269) 792-6435 • Fallasburg Covered Bridge, Covered Bridge Rd., Lowell bluegrass music • Scenic Spot where the Flat River empties into Grand in West Michigan Ronnie Bailey Lousie Kamphuis River, SE of Fairgrounds along the Grand River. (616) 891-1443 (616) 897-8515 David Billock Doug Smith Recreation - Parks & Golf Courses: (616) 901-6344 (269) 945-8881 Fallasburg Park Fallasburg Park Drive, Lowell David Conley Jim Strangways Creek Side Park Gee Drive, Lowell (231) 796-7204 (616) 457-5228 Arrowhead Golf Course 2170 Alden Nash Ave., NE, Lowell Deer Run Golf Club,13955 Cascade Rd, SE, Lowell Josie Conley Kathy Tuinhoff (231) 796-7204 (616) 794-5093 Mini Golf, Rollaway Family Fun Center 805 E. Main, Lowell North Country Trails, National Headquarters 229 E Main, Terri Grannis Mark Walker Lowell. NCT goes right through Lowell (231) 937-5704 (269) 792-6435 Bert Jones (616) 299-3710 JuneGrass Festival News 2015 website: www.WMBMA.org Page 8

Slow Jamming For You Dave Conley, Sr. playing If you would like to participate in some Bluegrass slow jam- Home Sweet Home ming in an encouraging environment, plan to attend one of the following slow jam (Pass It On) sessions. The pickers will welcome you and you will have a good time. “Don’t be shy... give us a try.” Check out these opportunities. We hope to see you at one of these jams!

Comstock Park Public Library 3943 West River Dr. Comstock Park, MI 49321. The last Monday of the month. From 5:00 to 8:00 pm Contact: Lindsay at (616) 272-8815

Caledonia Public Library 6260 92nd St., Caledonia, MI 49316 The second Tuesday of the month. From 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Contact: [email protected] A Quick Look at the JuneGrass 2015 Band Schedule Friday Membership Renewal 6:00 – 6:45 pm The Blue Water Ramblers 6:50 – 7:35 pm Steam Powered Bluegrass at the Festival 7:40 – 8:25 pm Zellie’s Band 8:35 – 9:20 pm Out of the Blue WMBMA yearly memberships expire at the end of June each year. Please stop by the association table to renew Saturday your membership and receive your new membership card. 1:25 – 2:10 pm True Blue Thank you for your support of our association. $10 for a 2:15 – 3:00 pm Michigan Mafia String Band single membership and $15 for a family membership. You 3:05 – 3:50 pm New Outlook can print and use the above Membership Renewal form 4:00 – 4:45 pm Harbourtown Bluegrass and bring it with you to save filling it out at the festival. If 6:00 – 6:45 pm True Blue you are not yet a member of the WMBMA we welcome 6:50 – 7:35 pm Michigan Mafia String Band your involvement. It’s not even too late to volunteer for 7:40 – 8:25 pm New Outlook this year’s festival. Contact Lee Strassburger at (616) 8:35 – 9:20 pm Harbourtown Bluegrass 914-4282 or email him at [email protected] See you there!

You will receive a complete JuneGrass event schedule in your program when you pick up your festival wrist band at the festival gate.