The Story:
A few years back, I went to my friend Damian Calcagne’s studio the Pinebox in NW New Jersey to record some music with GL & Friends. We didn’t have any real plans, only that we had just worked up my dad’s song Equinox to be performed live for potentially the first time ever, and wanted to make a studio recording of it. Equinox was written by my dad for Jerry to sing in the 70s to go on "Terrapin Station", but was too long & complex for the Dead to record and to fit on the album. There are a couple rehearsal tapes of it, but that’s it.
In the process of working up this long-forgotten Dead song & recording it, the idea of what GLAF could become musically started to take shape. I wanted to highlight and resurface some of the more forgotten music that my family had been involved in - music by my dad, songs by my brother Brian, my own compositions, and things we'd all written together. Much in the same way that early Phil Lesh & Friends lineups brought back songs that the Grateful Dead hadn’t performed in decades (St. Stephen, or Viola Lee Blues, for example!) I wanted to bring back Phil & Friends songs that my dad maybe hadn’t played in a while, Furthur originals, and more.
Whenever I was back East in 2023 & early 2024, I got GLAF together at the Pinebox for more recording. In 2024, I put out “Vol. 1 - Let The Mountain Be My Home”. I released it exclusively on vinyl - a 12in 45rpm album w/ three (quite long!) tracks. Equinox, of course, plus “No More Do I” - written by my dad and Robert Hunter and recorded by the PLQ in 2002 - and the title track “The Mountain Song,” a song whose writing began in 1971 by David Crosby & Jerry Garcia and which was completed by my brother & my dad in 2010 for Furthur to perform. Those 3 tracks focus on the theme of this project - involvement of multiple members of my family, music from many different time periods, & resurrecting forgotten gems.
əkoostik hookah incorporates many genres of music into their own style, from folk to psychedelic rock, bluegrass to blues, extended jams to concise rock-n-roll, əkoostik hookah’s style includes many musical genres for a sound that in the end is distinctly “hookah”. With well over 100 original songs, and a large catalogue of cover songs to choose from, you will never hear the same show twice. The band is known for its live shows and its ability to feed off of the crowd’s energy, using it to fuel the improvised set lists that create unforgettable musical experiences.
Airborne or Aquatic? is a psychedelic roots-rock collective, spawned in the Manistee National Forest of Northern Michigan. From the depths of oceanic riff rock, to the skies of atmospheric ambience, AoA? takes listeners on a sonic voyage. An ever-evolving collaboration, AoA? has grown and changed for more than a decade. The likes of Dave Bruzza, Mike Shimmin, May Erlewine, Luke Winslow-King, Susan Fawcett, Andy Catlin (the Lasso), Dustin Edwards and Ben Lau have all channeled their artistic energies into the project. In the band's current incarnation, Seth Bernard's songwriting and guitar-playing are backed by Jake Robinson's electric shredding, Joe VanAcker's bass foundation, the double-drumkit rhythm machine of Dan Rickabus and Scott Pelegrom, and Buchla-synth soundscapes from Glenn Brown.
Based in Muskegon, right on the shores of Lake Michigan, Flexadecibel is a band born of long friendships and a mutual love for all things groovy. Each member brings a rich musical history and a range of influences, resulting in a sound tied to funk, rock, and soul – but somehow a style all its own.
Formed in the summer of 2015, the band has been making moves around Michigan, expanding into the neighboring states, and tackling the growing summer festival scene. From weddings to breweries, house parties to supporting national acts, FLXDB takes pride in a bangarang live show, unique originals, and eclectic selection of covers.
Major influences stretch from Lettuce and Rage Against The Machine to Ginuwine and Red Hot Chili Peppers and even Tenacious D. The boys love classic R n’ B, jam bands, chunky metal, jazz standards, and everything in between… And little bits of each tend to emerge in the music. First and foremost, though, it’s gotta have that funk!
Flexadecibel has played Electric Forest, Cowpie Music Festival, Beaver Island Music Festival, Halfway 2 Harvest, Michigan Peacefest, Burning Foot Beer Festival, and Off-Season Gathering, as well as venues all across Michigan and Ohio, including Founders Brewing Co., The Intersection, Woodlands Tavern, The Pyramid Scheme, Blind Pig, 20 Monroe Live, and numerous others. They’ve shared bills with Sublime with Rome, Twiddle, Dopapod, The Main Squeeze, Desmond Jones, and countless others. Looking to the future, FLXDB is planning a follow up to Straight Pipes & Sweet Jumps, writing new tunes, traveling to new markets, playing festivals, and visiting a city near you!
Luke Winslow-King, originally hailing from Cadillac, Michigan, has spent his career as a guitarist, singer, producer, and songwriter, crafting a rich, soulful tapestry that blends delta blues, roots, rock, and folk. His music is a journey through the heart of America, characterized by masterful guitar work, captivating lyrics, and a voice that resonates with authenticity. After spending over 15 years in New Orleans, Winslow-King has taken his refined craft to stages across the globe, captivating audiences with dynamic performances and forming deep, personal connections with listeners.
Winslow-King has released seven solo albums and recorded with acclaimed artists such as George Porter Jr., Little Freddy King, and John Boutté. He has shared the stage with Jack White, Taj Mahal, Rosanne Cash, and many others. His original song "Everlasting Arms" was performed by Dr. John in the Playing for Change ‘Songs Around the World’ series on YouTube. His music has been featured on Anderson Cooper Live (CNN), NCIS: New Orleans (CBS), and Deadliest Catch (Discovery).
Flash-A-Magic, Winslow-King's eighth full-length album, recorded in Tuscany, Italy, and Memphis, TN, is a testament to his growth and artistry. Released in September 2024, the album features an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Rev. Charles Hodges (Al Green), Roberto Luti (Playing For Change), and Fat Possum recording artists, The Sensational Barnes Brothers. Mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Collin DuPuis, the album exudes a timeless quality, blending traditional influences with modern sensibilities.
Luke Winslow-King has toured extensively in North America and Europe, appearing on notable stages such as Austin City Limits, New Orleans JazzFest, Azkena Rock Festival (Spain), Tønder Festival Paradiso (Netherlands), Glastonbury (UK), Byron Bay Blues Fest (AUS), and countless more.
Distributed by Bloodshot Records / Exceleration Music, Flash-A-Magic is a powerful showcase of Winslow-King’s ability to channel raw emotion and musical innovation into a cohesive, compelling work. Whether performing in intimate venues or on large festival stages, Luke Winslow-King continues to leave audiences enthralled, eager for the next note in his ongoing musical journey.
“Seamlessly melds Delta blues, gospel and jazz themes with personal, simplified lyrics that speak to his personal and artistic evolution.” — The New York Times
“Steeped in the muddy Delta blues…” — Consequence of Sound
“…he demonstrate[s] a wide range of songwriting worthy of comparison to Jason Isbell and John Fullbright.” — Austin Chronicle
Forged in friendship and family, the West Michigan-based band, The Smokin’ Dobroleles, has the uncanny ability to feed off each other and their audience to create the perfect mix of medicine to cure what ails you. The Smokin melodic tremolo and solid chops of Mike Renna’s resonator ukulele and songwriting skills blend perfectly with Abe Kurzer’s soulful dobro and their vocal harmonies create a singular sound that will have your whole body swaying. Rounding out this eclectic crew and sure to have you smiling, we have Brandon Tabor holding down the low end on upright bass and the well seasoned, fearless timekeeper, John Ellsworth, on all things drums and percussion.
Because each musician has their own musical influences that span genres across the wide tapestry of music including bluegrass, folk, country, jazz, rock, reggae, hip-hop, and blues, the group likewise expresses themselves in a cornucopia of style and sound that is uniquely Smokin’-Dobrolelesque.
The band pulls from a long history together and a deep repertoire of original and cover songs - all with that Smokin’ Dobro flavor. Their albums, Take Two and Pass (2018), and The Smokin’Dobroleles (2021), take you on a journey through these various artistic influences. Their songs take on a life of their own when performed live and no two shows are ever the same. That explains why they’ve developed a following over the years while sharing the stage and opening for bands like Michael Cleveland & the Flamekeeper, Full Cord, ClusterPuck, Native Howl, and Fauxgrass, and playing festivals including: Shorts Fest, Michigan Glass Project, Tamarack Music Fest, Noreast’r Music Festival, Hippiefest, Tie-Dye Festival, FarmFest, and Forest Trail music festival.
"Gravity Won't hold us down, we'll rise above this town."
1000 Watt Prophets are a Michigan-based roots-funk powerhouse blending Americana, New Orleans groove, and soul-forward rock into a high-energy, deeply musical live experience. Featuring veteran players from the Midwest festival circuit, the band delivers songs that feel both road-worn and urgent, driven by deep pocket rhythms, rich harmonies, and a relentless commitment to the groove.
1000 Watt Prophets is a band that has always strived to rise above. Born out of a 20+ year friendship and musical alliance between Zak Bunce (vocals/guitar) and Denny Richards (bass/vocals), the group has worked its way up from duo shows at small venues to a full-band lineup playing festivals and concert series throughout their home base of Northwestern Michigan.
2025 became a banner year for the group. They began taking a more serious approach to songwriting, drummer Sean Reisig (drums/vocals) passed the tenured mark, ending what had been a rotating lineup, and the band added multi-instrumentalist Brett McDowell (fiddle/sax/keys/vocals) to bring some extra musical color to the mix.
The band has evolved into an Original Soul-Drenched Roots Rock band with a hint of Backwoods Fire. November 2025 marks the online release of two original songs, "Gravity" and "Paint the Moon," recorded in a secret Northern Michigan studio lair, with a full album currently in the works for 2026.
Fully charged and ready, 1000 Watt Prophets are gearing up to showcase themselves at farther-reaching and larger venues for 2026.
Dee Sutton, an Americana singer-songwriter from West Michigan, creates an eclectic sound that weaves together various musical genres. As a prominent figure among female songwriters, she captivates audiences with her unique style, often performing with her band Sweet Dee & the Wild Honeys.
American roots duo, Herb & Hanson, features two songwriters expressing themselves with little more than a guitar, a mandolin, and their respective voices. These restless ragamuffins have performed for audiences spanning the entire country covering 25,000 miles of asphalt, gravel, and dirt every year since 2005. Their blue-collar work ethic is unsurprisingly conveyed through their deft instrumentation hammering along with sweet harmonies sung from an honest day’s labor to bring their modern folk songs alive to modern America.
Herb & Hanson perform songs from Americana’s oldest influences. Incorporating the blues styles of both the Piedmont and Delta regions, the lyrical themes of the Blue Ridge hills, and the Ragtime bounce of America’s oldest cities into their songwriting and live show, this prodigious pair seeks to relay these traditions in a contemporary way for their audience to ruminate.
Joe Johnson and the Bluebacks is a West Michigan based blues band playing high energy Chicago Blues and blues-rock music, made up of a talented team of creative musicians who have been performing together since 2007. Playing original music mixed with some of the great Chicago blues cover songs, JJBB is a 2024 Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge semi-finalist band (top 26 bands), competing against hundreds of other blues bands from across the world in Memphis, TN. JJBB is a proud member band of the West Michigan Blues Society.
Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan- Megan Dooley has been performing locally, nationally, and abroad for 26 years. Bridging the gaps of soul, folk, jazz, country, americana, and roots with her solo and trio work, Dooley has also been named the "Best Solo Performer in SW Michigan", as well as the "First Lady of The Kalamazoo Music Scene" by Revue Magazine and popular vote.
Described as a torch singer by Encore Magazine, her "voice is a train dressed in satin. It lilts, flirts and storms." Dooley is also a multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, community activist, chef, writer, and professional whistler. Make sure to take a listen to her original music on any streaming platform today!
Playing mostly original songs by guitarist and vocalist, Kelley Samuels, Venus Envy is a genre spanning group of unique women from Big Rapids, MI, bringing together interesting perspectives on music and on life. Formed organically, over time, VE has been performing together as different projects and make ups for years. Kelley is backed up by Amy Schroeder on Bass, Jamie Derevage on drums, Sarah Kirby on Vocals and Amanda McCarty on percussion.
Mitten Pickers are already turning heads. These four young musicians have been rehearsing under the guidance of Brian Oberlin, honing a sound that promises to awe and delight listeners of all ages. From Rockford, guitarist Peter Cavanaugh (16) brings a few years of blues and rock experience, now channeling razor-sharp rhythm and fearless improvisation into bluegrass. Also from Rockford, Fern Vredevoogd (14) anchors the band, drawing on her classical bass training with her high school ensemble and the St. Cecilia Youth Philharmonic. Brothers Wyatt Tennant (18) and Ezra Tennant (16), both long-time students at the Michigan Folk Music Academy in Holland, (respectively) add banjo and mandolin exuberance and original songs alongside their award winning piano backgrounds. With four vocalists and brilliant instrumental interplay, Mitten Pickers blend youthful energy with blossoming musicianship.
Born on the banks of the majestic Pine River and surrounded by the wilds of the Manistee National Forest, Lost In The Woods is a six-piece jam band from Northern Michigan.
Celtic roots, Americana soul.
“Full-band energy, duo simplicity.”
High Strung Steel is what happens when two lifelong musicians decide to pack the fire of a full band into the raw power of a duo. Formed in Michigan by fiddler Budd Greenman and percussionist-singer Chris Jane, the project grew from a simple idea: music that could thrive on any stage, any time, with nothing more than two players and ears ready to listen.
For Budd, the journey began at eight years old with the violin, later performing with the Ferris State Chamber Orchestra and studying under Cape Breton masters like Buddy MacMaster and Brenda Stubbert. His path carried him through classical, Irish, and traditional Michigan fiddle music, while also fueling decades of work in bands from Freshwater to The Johns. Festivals like Wheatland, radio features, and music video projects have all carried his fiddle across genres, with his sound rooted in tradition but alive with improvisation.
Chris came to music through rhythm—drawn first to drums in childhood and nurtured in the church. A classically trained percussionist and multi-instrumentalist, he’s known for his big voice, thoughtful lyrics, and ability to make one person sound like many. On stage he commands guitar, percussion, and vocals with all four limbs, creating a sonic landscape that feels larger than life. For Chris, music is where he feels most “alive,” and High Strung Steel became the vehicle to merge his love of rhythm, songcraft, and performance into one.
Together, Budd and Chris weave a fusion of Celtic and Americana Folk—a mix of driving fiddle, earthy percussion, and gritty storytelling. At times steamy, at times playful, and always alive with energy, High Strung Steel embodies the spirit of live music: immediate, unpolished, and unforgettable. With decades of experience behind them and new music on the horizon, they’re set on bringing their one-of-a-kind sound to every stage, big or small.
“High energy, high spirit, High Strung Steel.”
Acoustic roots and soul tunes. Led by the incomparable vocals of Jenni Rae.
Sometime Soon is the folk duo of Kelley Samuels and Nate Karnes, performing covers and originals to groove to in Northern Michigan
Lake Effect is a family roots band from northern Michigan that has been delighting audiences near and far for over 30 years. With their tight family harmonies, hilarious original songs, traditional music, and a deep understanding of how to engage audiences of all ages, Lake Effect is a perfect storm for family fun with music. Lake Effect consists of Tiyi Schippers on lap dulcimer and percussion, David Bunce on Guitar and banjo, Barry Lempe on guitar, Zak Bunce on upright bass, and Brian Roman on fiddle.
