Saturday, July 21
By Rhonda Dedyne
Family fun, food and music – lots and lots of music – guarantee a good time for everyone attending the Clinton County Country Music Festival planned for Saturday, July 21 at the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell. Five, local bands will take the stage playing individual sets from 3 to 10 p.m. at the inaugural event that organizers hope becomes an annual affair.
“Our goal is to bring this festival back every year and grow it a little bigger each year to include more bands, longer run time, more events and vendors – and, ultimately, a touring headliner,” Jeff Dietrich, a member of two of the bands, says about the music festival that’s “been a dream” of his for a number of years. “We’re very appreciative of the financial and in-kind donations we’ve received from individuals and businesses to offset costs for this first year, and are grateful for the help from the Clinton County Arts Council and Performance Shell Committee – especially Bill Tennant, who’s been supportive of the Festival all along.”
The Performance Shell Committee chairperson says the credit goes to Dietrich for not giving up on his dream.
“Jeff’s idea of bringing this type of festival to St. Johns is great for our family-orientated community,” Tennant says. ” It’s more than just music – he’s planned lots of other activities. Jeff has done an outstanding job in putting everything together.”
Those events all have a Country/Western theme, like an interactive “horse-roping” challenge where kids and adults can use a real lasso and try to “rope” a plastic steer skull. In another interactive activity, Bessie the Milking Cow, the challenge is how much “milk” participants can get from a cut-out cow in an allotted time. Face painting, miniature golf and other youth activities are also planned.
Dave Pickett, owner of Bar D Ranch Country Dance Lessons, and his crew will demonstrate line dancing techniques during two of the intermissions between music sets, and teach line dances to audience members who want to participate, Dietrich says. “All these other activities add to the Country music concert atmosphere.”
The quintet of local bands offer diverse, County sounds. Each band will play a full, one-hour set; 45-minute intermissions between sets provide time for band setup. The line-up includes:
· Louie Longoria and Cowboy Intervention. A familiar presence on stages around Michigan and the Midwest for more than 20 years, Longoria has numerous CDs to his credit including his most recent “Greatest Hits.” The singer/songwriter is currently working on a duet CD with Tommy Cash and The Cash Crew. Talented musicians that comprise Cowboy Intervention are Pat Kenealy, lead guitar and vocals; Fritz Geil, electric bass and vocals; and Dietrich, percussion.
· Six Mile Creek. The high energy/modern country group isn’t afraid to mix up “new” Country with “old” standards – played Creek style. Based in the Owosso/Ovid area, Six Mile Creek is gaining attention across mid-Michigan and was named as WNEM TV 5’s Top Five Country Bands to See. Band members include vocalist, Paul Stewart; Jamie Hicks, guitar, vocals; Ken Taylor , guitar, vocals, keyboard; Jason Salmer, drums, vocals; Troy Hollenback, bass.
· Cryn Wolf. The band’s tight lead and harmony vocals combined with rocking guitars, exceptional drumming and a driving bass guitar has Country music lovers “running with the pack” of Cryin Wolf. Based out of the Mason area, band members include David Cranfill, lead vocals; Valerie Cranfill, bass guitar, keyboard vocals; Nick Kuster, lead and rhythm guitar, vocals; Chuck DeClarke, drums, vocals.
· Colmus Family. Hailing from Michigan and Kentucky, the band that formed in the early 1980s still tours the United States and Canada playing Christian Country music. Their rich harmonies and solid musicianship are strong foundations of the family’s music ministry as evidenced by a recent CD “Washed Clean.” Members include Edith Colmus Hunt, lead vocals, keyboard; Lois Colmus Blount, rhythm guitar, harmony; Richard Hunt, bass and vocals; Todd Hunt, guitar, mandolin, dobro, vocals.
· Bullwhip. Dietrich and his bandmates have been making a mark on the Michigan music scene in recent years, performing modern Top 40 Country music that features the raw emotion of its guitar/vocalists and driving beat of a solid rhythm core. Bullwhip has made a home at venues around the state from Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill in Auburn Hills, to The Back Forty Saloon in Grand Rapids, to The Whiskey Barrel Saloon in Lansing. In addition to Dietrich, band members include Steve Foreman, bass, vocals; Todd Hunt, guitar, vocals; Matt Foreman, guitar, vocals.
Each band will have CDs and other merchandise available for sale throughout the day. Food vendors include the St. Johns Lions Club, and MSU Rodeo Club ice cream booth. Guests are invited to bring food and beverages and picnic at the park; alcohol is prohibited at the St. Johns City Park and Performance Shell area.
“We really need to thank all the bands for performing gratis this first year of the Festival, and also the Clinton County Arts Council and 92.1 Big Country for their support,” Dietrich says.
Major supporters include “Gold Buckle” sponsors Clinton County Federal Credit Union, Alibi Bar of St. Johns, Cellular Connection of St. Johns, Black Eagle Studio; “Silver Buckle” sponsors, Tom’s Western Store, the Country Store of St. Johns.
Key in “Clinton County Country Music Festival” on Facebook for detailed information on each of the bands and additional event information.