Whispers coming back to Cheboygan By SHAWNA JANKOVIAK ing bus groups in addition to a local the acoustic and electric melody [email protected] audience. lines, and George Krawczyk on key - CHEBOYGAN — A tribute show in Fornes said his audience will hear board supplies the orchestral the style of Gordon Lightfoot’s Lightfoot’s best-known tunes in ad - sounds for the 24-song show. Bassist music will again be performed on dition to a variety of others. John Riemer and drummer/percus - the Opera House stage on Wednes - “Although we’ve played here be - sionist Joe Kwiatkowski have charge day, sponsored by Citizens National fore, we’ve come a long way in two of the beat and special effects score. Bank. and a half years,” Fornes said. “This Fornes will sing and play six-string Mackinaw City guitarist Mike will be a new show for Cheboygan.” and 12-string guitars, authentic to Fornes conceived the idea more The play-list includes songs such the models used by Lightfoot on than two years ago as part of the as “If You Could Read My Mind,” stage. The 90-minute show will be Opera House’s benefit concert se - “Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” “Sun - performed “casino style” with no in - ries to assemble a band of four back - down,” “Carefree Highway” and termission to accommodate several ing musicians for a salute to the “Rainy Day People.” Fornes said groups of tour bus passengers visit - Canadian balladeer. The group, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzger - ing the area, and for those coming named Whispers of the North , do - ald” will also be included. out on a work or school night. nated two benefit concerts in this “I think you have to play those big “I think this concert is a good fit style before taking the show on the songs, especially the shipwreck for those having a vacation experi - road, and is now the only full tribute song,” Fornes said. “The Fitzgerald ence, because the music is about all band in North America solely per - sank less than 100 miles from here of the things they might have seen forming Lightfoot’s classic folk and anybody who has ever heard while they were here, like the lakes, tunes. that song identifies it with storms the ships and the forests,” Fornes “This show is not only made in they have seen on the lakes and said. “Hopefully, the music will Michigan, it began right here in what happened to those guys that bring those aspects of their visit to Cheboygan,” Fornes said. “We’ve horrible night.” life.” worked on more authenticity and Although Fornes has worked in The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. expanded the set list to include 46 of sportscasting and journalism and and tickets are available in advance Gord’s songs that we can choose has authored books about the and the night of the show for $18 from for a concert. This is music Mackinac Bridge and the U.S. Coast each. Contact the Opera House box from our culture, our way of life. Ob - Guard cutter Mackinaw, his passion office by calling 627-5841. viously, there are lots of romantic for music is a big part of his life. He ballads and fun songs too among and his band members have attend - Lightfoot’s list of hits, but his music ed several of Lightfoot’s shows and carries a common appreciation have met the band in order to as - among people that crowds seem to semble the same instruments, tech - enjoy.” nology and stage settings to repli - Fornes said this show is intended cate Lightfoot’s performances. to help the city of Cheboygan by “Gord and his band have made it bringing people to the downtown clear to us that they approve of our area on an evening that is consid - shows,” Fornes said. “They are ter - ered to be post-vacation season, a rific people and have helped us with slow time for most businesses. many details in duplicating their “We really want to thank the peo - sound. We respect the longevity ple for supporting this show,” he their music has attained and strive stated. “We’ve had an outstanding to play it the way they do.” response from local people who The Whispers of the North band, have come out to see us play. We whose members bring a variety of also want to thank Citizens National backgrounds in blues, jazz, rock - Bank and the Opera House for their ’n’roll and sacred music, fills the support. Hopefully, with this con - same roles as Lightfoot’s own back - Mike Fornes will play the role of Gordon cert we can give back to the business ing musicians. Fornes believes this Lightfoot with his band, Whispers of the community.” is essential to performing the North, for “The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute” Wednesday’s show is being pre - sounds of the original recordings. beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the sented to several out-of-town tour - Lead guitarist Todd Golnick plays Cheboygan Opera House. Tickets are $18 and are available now.