Cherry Fest Rocks!

Actually, Cherry Fest more than just rocks. With a diverse slate of performers covering everything from alt-pop to country, comedy parodies to funk and vintage hairband jams, there’s something for every variety of music fan during festival week (including your chance to be a Cherry Festival musical idol). Here’s your guide to the who, when and where for 2015.

JULY 4

6-11pm - Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys w/ Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers

Michigan boy Gunnar (gunnartunes.com) and his band team up with WTCM Radio for this show that brings their “country sound with Michigan roots” to Cherry Fest. Thanks to their popular blue-collar anthem “Standard American” and their new track “Pedal to the Floor,” they’ve shared stages with everyone from Florida Georgia Line to Easton Corbin and Parmalee. Joining the stage with Gunnar is songwriter Joe Hertler (joehertler.com) and his respective band, the Rainbow Seekers, whose status as a legendary jam band is further augmented by their zany performance style and ‘60sinfluenced stage costumes.

JULY 5

8-11pm - Weird Al Yankovic

How did the biggest-selling comedy recording artist in history find his way to Cherry Fest? If you asked Al (weirdal.com) in person, chances are you wouldn’t get a straight answer, but it would definitely be a funny one. Al’s specialty is the parody song. He’s turned Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” into “Eat It” (a ditty about food, complete with a shotfor-shot music video matching Jackson’s original shoot), shifted James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” into “You’re Pitiful” and paid homage to Madonna with “Like a Surgeon,” which he performed live in surgical scrubs. Our next question: Is Al going to sing his Joan Jett parody, “I Love Rocky Road,” for his fellow Cherry Fest performer?

JULY 6

8-11pm - Toad the Wet Sprocket w/Tonic

“All I Want,” “Fall Down” and “Something’s Always Wrong” are only three of Toad the Wet Sprocket’s (toadthewetsprocket.com) chart hits. The melodic alt-pop band with the Monty Python-inspired name has been a staple of alternative radio since their heyday in the mid-’90s. Their music carries through today, both via their older hits and their new material from their latest album, New Constellation, which they’re touring now. Lead singer Glen Phillips has also made a pretty good solo career for himself. Opening act Tonic (tonic-online.com) hails from Los Angeles and is probably best known for their uber-catchy 1996 single “If You Could Only See.” They’ve been fairly quiet since then, in spite of three more studio album releases, but some of their lesser-known tracks are worth a listen, too.

JULY 7

6-11pm - Here Come the Mummies

Arriving from Nashville, Here Come the Mummies (herecomethemummies.com) are a quirky funk outfit with an intriguing story. They’re said to dress like mummies on stage not solely as a gimmick, but to hide their identities because band members are under contract to different record labels and are dodging contract disputes. You benefit no matter what the reason because you get to hear top-notch pro musicians, some of which are rumored to be Grammy Award winners. These are high-energy, funny performers, as well as being technically proficient musicians.

JULY 8

6-11pm - Charlie Daniels Band w/Gloriana

The devil may have gone down to Georgia, but Grand Ole Opry inductee Charlie Daniels (charliedaniels.com) is traveling up north to Cherry Fest and he’s bringing along not only his fiddle and his most popular tune, but also such memorable country hits as “In America,” “Long Haired Country Boy” and “Uneasy Rider.” Also performing is Nashville country band Gloriana (gloriana. com), who will be showcasing songs from their new studio album, Three, just released this past June.

JULY 9

8-10pm - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts w/ Mulebone

Joan Jett’s face might be familiar from her acting roles in the film “Light of Day” and the TV series “Law and Order,” but it’s in the rock arena that she’s made her biggest strides in entertainment. As the leader of the heavy rock band The Blackhearts, Jett has notched nine Top 40 singles, of which you’ve probably at least heard “I Love Rock N’ Roll,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and her remake of Tommy James and the Shondells’ classic “Crimson and Clover.” Mulebone, the standout Brooklyn duo that pulls together the best of blues and American roots music, will open for Jett as part of a series of live shows they’re doing across northern Michigan and beyond (see our story on Mulebone on page 37.)

JULY 10

6-11pm - Foghat w/Peter Rivera

’70s rock fans, rejoice! Legendary bluesrockers Foghat are heading for the Bay Side stage with Rare Earth vocalist Peter Rivera in tow. If it’s a good night for the band, you’re likely to hear Foghat hits like “Fool for the City” and “Drivin’ Wheel.” If it’s a really good night, you might even hear their most recent single, 2013’s “The Word of Rock N’ Roll.” Either way, it’ll be like classic rock radio has been brought to life right on stage.

JULY 11

6-11pm - The Journey Tribute Band

Perhaps your introduction to the rock band Journey was via the TV show “Glee” that paid homage to the band’s hit anthem “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the tune that shouts out to a nonexistent “South Detroit.” Or maybe you’re one of the band’s original fans from the ’70s/ early ’80s. Either way, this tribute group is renowned for capturing the sound and spirit of the original Journey and we’re pretty sure they’re going to include that most popular of Journey’s tunes, so get ready to chant along.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

JULY 6, 8, 9, 10

Lunchtime Concert Series with Miriam Pico Singer-songwriter Pico on vocals and ukulele is joined by guests The Younces, E Minor, Blake Elliott, David Chown, Laurie Sears and Andy Evans.

JULY 6

Concert on the Lawn: U.S. Army Band and Soldiers Chorus A patriotic performance by the United States Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus, considered the musical ambassadors of the U.S. Army.

JULY 7

Native American Pow Wow Learn about local Native American heritage via a colorful display of dancing and drumming by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

JULY 9

Concert on the Lawn: K. Jones and the Benzie County Playboys Bring your lawn chairs and pick a spot to enjoy this outdoor show of Cajun and Zydeco music by this popular local group.

JULY 10

Cherry Idol Auditions Got your songs all ready? Today’s the day of the auditions for Cherry Idol, the fest’s own version of the American Idol singing competition show.

JULY 11

Cherry Idol Finals The singing finalists return to the Lay’s Cherry Blast Stage to find out who’s going to be awarded the title of this year’s 2015 Cherry Idol.

Visit cherryfestival.org for locations and event details.

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