October 27
A pair of bands that are well known in the Detroit and Flint areas are bringing their distinct musical styles to mid-Michigan as part of a new concert series benefiting ongoing renovations to the equally distinctive 1930s Wilson Center Auditorium in St. Johns.
A Day’s Ride from Detroit brings the heart of the blues, the energy of rock n’ roll – and the hook that feels new and old at the same time – to the acoustically pure venue, headlining the show that begins at 8 p.m., Saturday, October 27.
The unique instrumentations of the Flint-based Brites open the double dose of musical magic. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students with ID, senior citizens and staff of St. Johns Public Schools.
“Performing in a vintage space like the Wilson Center Auditorium that also features a modern sound system is appealing to bands and hopefully will attract new audiences too,” says SJPS K-12 Information Director Dan Davenport, who is coordinating the concert series along with Bill Tennant.
“Artists like A Day’s Ride and the Brites are enthusiastic about performing in a venue like the Wilson Center – the sound is so good whether you’re plugged in or acoustic. They’re looking forward to playing in an ambient, live room.”
The original compositions on A Day’s Ride debut CD, Dead of Winter, are songs about “love, fear, joy, sadness and every bump or bruise in between,” delivered in an eclectic style influenced by John Mayer, Ben Harper and The Black Crowes. Band members include Jon Jackson (vocals/guitar), Andrew Mast (drums), John Gallo (guitar), and Karl Messenger (bass guitar).
“We saw them play in Detroit, and they stole the show – Jackson is a very charismatic front man,” Davenport says.
The Brites demonstrate equal charisma, but in a more refined way. The addition of cello and violin – and banjo – bring a unique depth to their original songs on Feathers, Skulls Skin, available for download at http://brites.bandcamp.com
“Being from Flint, they’ve got a good following locally in the mid-Michigan area,” Davenport says about band members Chad Hamilton Owen, Michelle Ann Leman, Lee Allen Madaus and Hannah Elizabeth Meiklejohn.
Tennant is optimistic that the debut show in the new concert series will help fill a “niche” for Wilson Center performers and audiences.
“We’re very excited about the prospect of these shows that feature bands who have a following and are looking to expand their exposure into other areas, like mid-Michigan. We’re hoping that the Wilson Center may become a venue that people are aware of – both performers and audiences – filling a niche here locally in the band performance arena.”
Helping fill that niche is Doug Mains & The City Folk, booked at the Wilson Center for a show on Friday January 11, 2013.
“We’re still working on a second band for that show date,” Davenport says.
Artists interested in obtaining more information about the Wilson Center Auditorium can contact Davenport at (989) 941-6729 rbwbooking@gmail.com
You can become an RBW concert friend at Facebook; A Day’s Ride wsg Brites
Check out songs and video clips of A Day’s Ride and Brites at http://www.facebook.com/BritesBand
http://www.facebook.com/adaysride
The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass Street, downtown St. Johns. To make a donation to the renovation project or for more information contact Tennant, (989) 224-8159; email wetennant@gmail.com.