Alan Turner and The Steel Horse Band

Photo courtesy of Alan Turner

Not since Garth Brooks jumped off the stage and into peoples’ hearts has the country scene delivered such riveting entertainment as Southeastern Michigan’s ALAN TURNER AND THE STEEL HORSE BAND. His connection with his fans makes him stand out from the rest, and his rugged handsome looks, and rich, baritone vocals have often had him touted as “Tim McGraw with a Toby Keith attitude.”

Since September of 2007, they have been thrilling crowds with their action packed performances! From jumping off the stage to line dance with everyone on the dance floor, to singing to fans throughout the crowd, you definitely do not want to miss a show! Accompanied by some of the finest talent this side of Nashville, the Steel Horse Band consists of lead guitarist J.T. Monroe, Randy Lopez on bass guitar, Billy Lee on keyboards and drummer Dave Piotrowski. Combined with Alan’s voice, they truly have made their mark as a band to be reckoned with.

Alan and the band have performed all over the country and into Canada being the opening act for such acts as KENNY ROGERS, MONTGOMERY GENTRY, LONESTAR, BLACKBERRY SMOKE and many more. Their music video, BULL RIDING BABE has aired nationally on CMT and spent 22 weeks at the #1 spot in 2011 on the MTV partnered OURSTAGE.COM Independent Country Video Chart. In 2011 they were nominated for six Detroit Music Awards for the album BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL. This year they received four 2012 DMA nominations for last year's CHRISTMAS album release. Their current single: IF IT’S BROKE is quickly becoming a favorite to country music lovers.

In 2012 look for ALAN TURNER AND THE STEEL HORSE BAND to be performing throughout Michigan and the USA! This is one cowboy you don’t want to miss!

Website: www.alanturnermusic.com

Annabelle Road

Photo courtesy of Annabelle Road

With a big-as-the-room sound, the ability to rock the doors off the toughest clubs, the heart to keep a crowd hanging on every note and the party going till closing time, Annabelle Road blows in from the intersection where rural and urban sensibilities meet. Tapping Motor City's rich musical well by way of Butcher Holler, this barnstorming band fuses the best of rock and country seamlessly to their polished originals. Mass appeal is guaranteed from the rockers to the honky tonkers. It's trucker hats and big hair in a chopper shop. Moonshine on steel wheels. If you're ready to rock out on a Carrie Underwood-meets-Johnny Cash-by way of-Skynard trip, do not miss the opportunity to experience the joyride that is Annabelle Road.

Stars have aligned from the start for the members of Annabelle Road. Not many acts can claim being handpicked as "Next Big Star" finalists on Kenny Chesney's "Poets & Pirates" tour as their auspicious debut. In no time they had radio-ready single "Let You Bleed" in frequent rotation on Michigan's country dials--its airplay pre-selling out shows all over the state. Since then the group's electrifying stage presence has continued to captivate all comers, from Detroit's Downtown Hoedown to supporting heavyweights like Phil Vassar and Gretchen Wilson. "We keep knocking on doors that are too big to be knocked on and they keep opening," marvels front woman Amanda Bailey.

Made up of four dynamic and gifted young musicians--with vocalist Amanda beguiling the crowds, and guitarist Jeremy Temple, bassist Larry Craft and drummer Donovan Tarjeft rocking hard as nails--Annabelle Road's infectious enthusiasm and tight sound come from an "all in, all or nothing" passion for entertaining. "Even if it means no sleep, playing five nights in a row," offers Jeremy, "it's what we do." Amanda takes that commitment up one notch even higher: "If my hair hasn't gone flat by the end of the set we haven't tried hard enough." Though a tour sponsorship by 5-hour Energy drink is still in the fantasy stages, this high-octane band lays it all on the line for a good time.

Austin Scott

Photo courtesy of Austin Scott

Austin Scott has been writing and performing his music for over 15 years. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, he also spent some time living and performing in Nashville, TN before moving back to the D to continue building his career. A gifted songwriter, he has released 3 albums (Austin Scott Greatest Hits, Austin Scott Bonafide EP and Austin Scott Believe) on iTunes and is currently working on a new projects. He has performed at The Budweiser Down Town Hoe Down for the last four years and is working hard to make that five. He has been seen on stages across Michigan, and has been heard around the world with airtime on radio stations as far as the Netherlands.



While his primary genre is Country, Austin also includes hints of Rock, Pop and Folk into his sound, creating a unique blend loved even by those who "don't like Country."

Centerville

Photo courtesy of Centerville

Centerville is an extremely talented group of musicians and vocalists that thrive on live performances and professional entertainment.

Centerville is the "Must See" country band from mid-Michigan. It is comprised of seven members, all with different musical backgrounds. The primary musical focus is the country genre, but it's members' musical tastes range from Adele, Carrie Underwood, ZZ Top, and beyond, into blues and contemporary pop. What makes Centerville work as a group is the drive and passion that each member brings to the table. Each member of the group is a solid musician in his/her own right. Centerville has been together since 2008.

Musical merit, alone, will get this band a long way. With three part female vocal harmonies, dual fiddles, guitars, bass, and drums, they appeal to all listeners because of their wide variety of musical genres. Even those who aren’t typically a country music fan have raved about their sound.

Live performance is where this band really shines. Each show is carefully crafted so the audience feels the full dynamic spectrum from soulful ballads to the crunching guitars and high energy songs that make your body move. Centerville has warmed up the stage for country artists such as Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Jamey Johnson, and Edens Edge.

In late 2011 Centerville released their Debut Album, “Middle Of Nowhere”. A mixture of songs with a wide range of emotions and a contemporary country sound, “Middle Of Nowhere” is sure to please audiences of all ages and will leave you wanting more!

Daniel Harrison and the $2 Highway

Photo courtesy of Daniel Harrison and the $2 Highway

Daniel Harrison and the $2 Highway is a not-so-traditional five piece band from Detroit, Michigan. Their groove laden mixture of alternative country and roots is layered with entrancing guitar solos, grooving bass lines, all driven by the deep thumping of the djembe. Rounding out this unconventional group are the soulful and sometimes haunting lyrics generated by Daniel Harrison's powerful, yet sexy-raw voice.

Daniel Harrison and the $2 Highway formed with the current members in 2009. Shortly thereafter they went on to win the Kid Rock Battle of the Bands to play at Comerica Park, won the Colgate Country Showdown, and were finalists in the Hard Rock Rising competition. Recently they rocked the Detroit Downtown Hoedown, Uncle Sam Jam, and the Stars & Stripes Festival. The feeling that they are on the cusp of becoming the next big name to come out of Detroit must be contagious as they also have opened for Reed and Dickinson, Jody Raffoul, Hello Dave, Ty Stone, and Sponge. DH2’s rapid ascent will hit a major milestone this spring with the release of their first and long awaited album, “Humidity”. Even with this accomplishment, the members continue to push themselves and are already planning for a second album.

David Shelby

Photo courtesy of David Shelby

Sometimes the road back home isn't as the crow flies "When you're born into a proud Polish-Russian family they issue you an accordion and a bowling ball," David states, "My dad taught me to use both. It's easier to pick up a split with an accordion."
David was soon playing that squeeze-box along with the Garth Brooks records the country station was spinning in his native Detroit. He has a long list of groups and artists who have influenced his style including the above mentioned as well as Chris Ledoux, Big and Rich, Diamond Rio, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Emerson Drive, Tim McGraw, Gary Allen, Keith Urban, and Jeffrey Steele to name a few. “I try to not limit myself to what different artists have to offer and am always open to new influences while trying to stay true to who I am as a performer and songwriter”, he explains. He has taken part in the annual WYCD Hoedown for four consecutive years and has shared the stage and have been on shows with the likes of Lonestar, Kenny Chesney, Justin Moore, Cowboy Troy, Carter's Chord, Alto Reed, Mark Farner from Grand Funk Railroad, Mitch Ryder, Bryan Adams, Sammy Kershaw, Bombshell, Styx, Foreigner, and Ty Stone to name a few. David traveled far and wide to find what he needed...just a microphone, a killer band, and an audience to entertain.
In 2009 David moved to Nashville and signed a production deal with famed industry record producer Ed Seay (Martina Mcbride, Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton) and Zaviton Music Group executive Russ Zavitson (Billy Ray Cyrus). He currently splits his time between his native Detroit and Nashville, Tennessee, and is currently in the process of recording his anticipated second album with producer Mark Burch.
www.davidshelbymusic.com
www.facebook.com/davidshelbymusic

Derringer

Photo courtesy of Derringer

Derringer was founded more than 10 years ago with the idea that if you select the area's best musicians one by one, eventually that combination would become what it is today...The very best of Country and American Rock-n-Roll anywhere. Cole, Lyle, Rick, and Tommy mix drums, lead guitar, accoustic guitar, and bass into the HOTTEST band around. From the moment you hear their first note to the time you leave the Diamondback, you are guaranteed a total entertainment experience!

The Forbes Brothers

Photo courtesy of The Forbes Brothers

Hip Hop Country Rock, Blue-eyed Soul and Rock 'n' Roll, mix it with the Blues and... Ladies and Gentlemen, The Forbes Brothers. Only in 2003 would such a musical stew be possible. Fueled by the songwriting of Scott and Dennis Forbes, the band has forged a unique sound and style all its own. Drawing from a palette that includes country, blues, rock and Motown, the band creates music that transcends traditional categories.

The Forbes Brothers have been bringing down the house all over Michigan as Detroit's premiere country rockers. Dominating the field with 23 Detroit Music Awards to their credit, they are the only Michigan act given prime billing at the world's largest free outdoor country festival, the Budweiser Downtown Detroit Hoedown.

In addition to the brothers on guitar and vocals, the Forbes Brothers are George Canterbury on keyboards, Tom Hollyer on guitar, banjo, mandolin and dobro, Dave Jack on drums, Ron Jacobs on vocals and harmonica, and Jon Ross on bass and vocals.

They've shared the stage with such top national acts as Diamond Rio, George Jones, Tanya Tucker, Lee Ann Womack, Lonestar, The Kentucky Headhunters, Trace Adkins and many others. They have recorded with Earl Klugh, Mitch Ryder, longtime Motown guitarist Dennis Coffey, and Kid Rock protégés, The Howlin' Diablos.

Watch for the upcoming release of the new CD, "The Fire on Main Street", and discover The Forbes Brothers' unique take on country rock. And join the legions of fans in Michigan who already have.

Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys

Photo courtesy of Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys

There is no experience as true to homegrown American country music as Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys live in concert. Their electrifying sound hits you like a shot of Jack Daniels, and the words shine through like your best friend recalling a favorite memory. The sheer energy brought by the Grizzlies cannot be contained on stage, but explodes into the audience putting everyone on their feet.

Combining country and rock, Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys provide a unique style that sparks every emotion. They transform from an outlaw telling the tale of his horseback journey across America to a genuine patriot giving thanks to our troops. These six young men may be finding their way in the world, but they have truly mastered the formula of simply awesome rock and roll. Leave your worries at home, and get ready to dirty up your boots!

JoCaine

Photo courtesy of JoCaine

JoCaine has performed at the Downtown Hoedown multiple times along with most other big events in the Detroit area. Having brought his sounds to venues such as DTE, Ford Field and The Pontiac Silverdome, he has proved that he can hold his own with the biggest names in the business. With a rocking country mix, JoCaine is sure to bring a hometown sound that proves what Detroit stands for; being AMERICAN MADE! As a 6 person band, JoCaine incorporates everything from ballads to a crossover hit song with Detroit's own Uncle Kracker. JoCaine offers something for every taste! Be sure to see JoCaine in person, you will not be disappointed!

Joey Vee

Photo courtesy of Joey Vee

About Joey Vee:
Joey Vee is a Singer, Songwriter, and Entertainer who plays New Country, Pop, Rock, Southern Rock, Classic Rock, and Original music is his live performances. Joey Vee started writing songs and performing at an early age. Joey Vee live shows are high energy. Joey Vee is accompianed by Allan Karchner on Guitar, Michael Dupur'e on Guitar, John Buffa on Drums, and Tommy Curcuru on Bass Guitar. Joey Vee and the band have performed at Toby Keith's - I Love this Bar and Grill, Hatchy's Sports Bar, The Motor City Casino, The Stars and Stripes Festival, and many other festivals and venues around town, and Canada. If you like Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Rob Thomas, or Toby Keith, then you will also like Joey Vee.

John Phillips

Photo courtesy of John Phillips

Growing up in a small town outside of Detroit. John Philips brings tasteful but edgy lyrics to country music. Some of his influences are Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard…and so many more. With his father a successful drummer of 35 years, and mother's talent and also a part of fife and drum corps alumni, he has vast experience to draw from and his talent thrives through his veins. The band that John has working with him is some of Michigan’s most sought after, well seasoned and experienced. John’s goal as an up and coming country artist is to bring great sound, groovy music and all around great music to the country world.

The Kari Lynch Band

Photo courtesy of Kari Lynch

The Kari Lynch Band live for rocking the stage and having a blast with the crowd. With rock solid songwriting, accomplished musicianship, and incredible enthusiasm, each member brings their own unique sound to the mix, creating a high energy, country rocking show.

For them, it’s all about the music, the fans, and putting on an entertaining and unforgettable performance. The have an extensive fan base both locally and nationally and it continues to grow daily. They've experienced playing sold out venues, fairs, festivals, large events, smaller intimate sets, television, radio, and opening for national artists.

The band’s dynamic stage presence, chemistry, and passion shine through each performance. You won’t meet a more determined, hardworking, and driven group of people than the Kari Lynch Band. Undeniable talent, extraordinary work ethic, and a love for music and songwriting that rises above anything else. Mixing elements of classic country, rock, and contemporary country - this is a band you will not forget.

Their newest self-titled EP was released in May 2011 to five star ratings and reviews. “Gettin’ Gone” and “Me and a Bottle of Wine” two of the standout tracks from the EP, have received airplay on several radio stations. 103 Country WGDN currently plays “Gettin’ Gone in their station’s TOP 40. Their previous acoustic EP, "one happy love song..." made it to the iTunes, ‘New & Noteworthy’ list for Country music, and stayed there for six weeks.

The Kari Lynch Band has shared the stage with several Major Label artists-

The Band Perry, Justin Moore, Jerrod Niemann, Frankie Ballard, Chuck Wicks, Bomshel, Mat Kearney, Sonia Leigh, Monte Montgomery, and Corey Smith.

The Kari Lynch Band also performed at the International Speedway in Daytona, Florida during the NASCAR Daytona 500 Speed Week events in 2011 which included country artists, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, and Martina McBride

Kris Hitchcock and Small Town Son

Photo courtesy of Kris Hitchcock

Two-time Texaco Country Showdown State champions and national recording artists Kris Hitchcock and Small Town Son have become one of the midwest most heralded and sought after country groups. With one self-produced album under their belt and another with Nashville producer Jimmy Dulin (Jaron and the long road to love) on the way, awe-inspiring musicianship and dynamic live shows, this Michigan-based 5 piece band are stars on the rise. Kris Hitchcock, the bands frontman and songwriter, worked for years on the craft of songwriting before taking the plunge to begin writing in Nashville, TN. With a lyrical sense in the stroke of Springsteen and Mellencamp, and a direction towards honest and personal experiences turned into songs, Kris turns pictures of life's moments into midwest rock anthems for the people of our times.

With the band laying down the strongest instrumentation this side of Zac Brown Band, each and every show is able to become a soundtrack for the real people of middle America. They don't sing country for the sake of country, or rock/pop to fit into a trend, but find an authentic, gritty, and straight talking look at the thoughts and issues that define growing up and growing old in our world. The sound is midwest country at its best; Tom Petty with a fiddle, Bob Seger with a twang, and 100% born and bred from the heart of the heartland.

Longneck Strangler

Photo courtesy of Longneck Strangler

Longneck Strangler is a genre-spanning fusion of classic country vocals and roots-deep rock and roll guitars all rolled into a head-turning live show. Through the hundreds of shows that they’ve played in last few years, their fan base has been multiplying steadily to include the likes of our own Uncle Kracker, who says that “Longneck Strangler is one of the coolest, most fun things I’ve seen out of the metro Detroit area in a along time. Always a hoot!”

"Call us country if you want”, says Longneck Strangler bassist Kevin Davis, “and I’ll take that as a compliment”.

“But,” guitarist Rick Browarski is quick to point out, “there’s a lot more to Longneck Strangler than just country music”. Give one listen to their last full-length release, Misery Loves Company (Glass Block Recordings - available on iTunes), to find that Ricky Lentz has one of the finest country baritone voices you’ll ever hear, and that the rest of the band, including drummer Jeremy Kanouse, delivers steam hammer blues rock, Opry-licious Americana, beer-soaked ballads and everything in between.

Longneck Strangler, is known not only for their own songs, but also for putting their own twist on classic rock and classic country songs, by adding steel guitar to Bob Seger, double-time train grooves to AC/DC or fiddle to the Allman Brothers. It’s what the boys call ‘strangling’ the tunes.

“Still the best compliment that we get is when people tell us ‘I don’t like country music, but I love what you guys do’,” explains Ricky. “We’re at a crossroads where fans of both rock and country can meet. Just say that Longneck Strangler is American music.”

Michelle Parish

Photo courtesy of Michelle Parish

I'm Michelle Parish. I'm a 20 year old singer-songwriter originally from Macomb Twp. After high school graduation, I moved down to Nashville to attend Belmont University and pursue country music full time. While in Nashville, I've had the pleasure of writing with hit songwriters, meeting and playing show with many of my idols, and truly discovering the beauty of country music. I've played throughout Middle Tennessee, North Carolina, and the Detroit metro area between school semesters. I've even been a guest artist on Coop's Thursday Night Live twice.

Molly Hunt

Photo courtesy of Molly Hunt

Bio - When you hear Molly Hunt’s voice there is no denying who you’re listening to. Growing up in Ypsilanti, MI, Molly Hunt has been a part of the Fairs & Festival circuit throughout all of Michigan, recorded in some of the greatest studios in the Detroit area, was the voice for a Detroit Medical Center Children’s Hospital commercial, a finalist in the Channel 4 WDIV Detroit Super Singer in 2008, performed at a Detroit Red Wings game in 2012, the list continues to grow. By the time Molly was 12 years old, she was traveling back and forth full-time to Nashville, TN trying her wings at writing music and recording pro-demo. At the age of 13 years old, Molly Hunt made history in Nashville, TN being the youngest to sign a Major Publishing Deal in Music City.
Recently, Molly received news that she won 1st place in the Country Music category in two different international songwriting contests: USA SONGWRITING CONTEST and UK SONGWRITING CONTEST and won 3rd place overall. You may have seen Molly on this seasons American Idol – making it to Hollywood and then to Vegas this confirming that Molly Hunt is where she belongs and is well on her way to making a big impact the music world with her voice and songs.
Molly Hunt promises to “WOW” you with her voice, songs and energy on stage! Thank you for your vote to bring back Detroit’s Sweetheart to the HOEDOWN stage 2012. “God Bless – MOLLY HUNT”

Paulina Jayne

Photo courtesy of Paulina Jayne

Hailing from Grosse Pointe, Paulina Jayne has caught the eyes and ears of some of Detroit's biggest names in music and has won support from many influential voices.
This 15 year old artist began her musical ventures with piano lessons at the age of 6. By 9 she was composing her own music and self-teaching herself the guitar and ukulele by 13. Paulina Jayne has more than 90 pieces of original music on her resume including the award-winning score for the novel Frankenstein. Another piece of her music was selected for a Dance Ministry performance with 100 dancers at St. Germaine Church in St. Clair Shores.
This talented teenager could stop there, but her self-taught talent and scores are only half of the story. That singer/songwriter title has turned heads in Detroit and kept their attention. Paulina Jayne writes her own songs based on her own experiences. The country-tinged “Mississippi Girl” came from a family road trip driving through Mississippi while the inspirational “Get Back on Your Feet” came from staying home from school with the flu.
Paulina Jayne has done all of this while living a normal teenager's life at Grosse Pointe South High School. This freshman is also a member of the Junior Varsity Basketball team and a recipient of the Art Student Award.
Currently recording at Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak with Producer Al Sutton, Paulina Jayne recently traveled to Nashville to record with Audley Freed (Peter Frampton, Jimmy Page, Aerosmith, Dixie Chicks, Black Crowes) at Ocean Way Studios.
Paulina Jayne performed at the Stars & Stripes festival - an event that drew over 400,000 people over the July 4th weekend and has performed live on WXYZ-TV. She also has a benefit concert on August 19thth at the Hard Rock Café in Detroit - playing just before the Kenny Chesney concert that night at Ford Field. This summer is sure to be the next big step in her growing career.

REDHILL

Photo courtesy of REDHILL

Greg Michaels/guitars-vocals
Heather Gray/lead vocals
Freddie August/bass guitar/sax/keys
Chip Kipps/lead guitar
Grant Castleberry/drums
Hessie Mae/fiddle

**REDHILL presents an energetic blend of Country and Rock with an electric
live show----see REDHILL live! and we think you'll agree...

Wreckless

Photo courtesy of Wreckless

Wreckless, the newest Country band out of Midland Michigan! Look out for these guys! Fresh out of the gate and on the rise. They bring a new young face to the local Country music scene and they know how to get down! Every time Wreckless takes the stage, its going to be a party!