The First-Timers: Blissfest Upholds its Passion for Newcomers

June 26, 2002

The jury is back, the verdict is in and Blissfest was granted a stay of execution. The popular annual music festival north of Harbor Springs will carry on its 22-year tradition of eclectic musicians from around the world bringing blues, folk, roots, ethnic, hillbilly, Celtic and African sounds during the weekend of July 12-14.
With their legal battles behind them and as with anyone given a second chance, Bliss organizers have already made the best of their new lease on life. Performers like Janis Ian, Harper Rita Chiarelli, Titos Sampos and Jeremy Kittel will quickly help to fade away the once possible death sentence festival organizers were faced with.
Ironically it was the quality of past musicians that came to Bliss that caused the current legal battles rather then a poorly operated festival. The festival become so popular in recent years that increasing crowds caused neighbors to complain and challenge the validity of the festival. True to the organizations spirit of community Blissfest offered compromises through a mediation process that will allow the Festival to continue to be enjoyed by the first 4,500 that buy tickets. (One of the compromises was limiting the event to 4,500.)

WHO‘S PLAYING:
Opening night features dulcimer player and storyteller David Massengill, a Tennessean whose live performances have been showstoppers at several folk festivals. Yet his Friday performance won’t stop the festival, as Massengill will also perform on Saturday.
Bliss is known for its first-time performers and this year will be no different. One artist of note will be Peter Harper from Australia. Harper has been called the “Jimi Hendrix” of the harmonica, and equally impressive are his lyrics and vocal capabilities.
The soul, R&B and blues influenced Harper has gained international recognition for his songwriting talents with lyrics that are emotional and introspective. His popularity has been on the rise in North America and Harper will headline several summer blues festivals and was voted the fan favorite at the popular Milwaukee Summer Fest. He looks forward to his first ever visit to Bliss performing Friday evening only.
“I have heard about Bliss in Australia and other artists have told me I need to play Bliss, so I am certainly excited,” said Harper. “We love playing Michigan, it is a second home for me, and in fact my drivers license is from there. People in Michigan have a true appreciation for music so I can’t wait.”

A FIRST FOR JANIS
Headlining the festival will be folk legend and grandmother Janis Ian. The celebrated singer songwriter will enthusiastically make her first ever visit to the north woods of Bliss.
“My agent told me about the festival and it sounds wonderful,” said Ian. “I am very much looking forward to it. The fact that I am playing two days is great because I will be able to talk to people and I am going to do a workshop. Plus I am old enough to have vinyl and if you have it bring it and I will sign it.”
Ian will be kicking off a four-month tour and Bliss will be her only Michigan performance giving added incentive for getting tickets. Her 35-year music career started in 1967 at the age of 15 with her first hit “Society’s Child” a song she wrote about interracial love. Since her debut Ian has scored numerous hits and her songs have been covered by a variety of artists that include Bette Midler, Vanilla Fudge, Cher, Joan Baez, Etta James and jazz legend Stan Getz.
The fact that Getz recorded one of her songs may seem as a surprise to some but Ian is actually a multi-talented performer and is fluid in jazz.
“I would like to do a jazz CD someday that would be both instrumental and vocal,” said Ian.
Currently balancing several projects has delayed work on a jazz CD.
“I have too many projects going,” said Ian. “I am busy being a grandmother (while Ian does not of have children of her own, her life partner does), working on a anthology of science fiction stories by famous writers based on my lyrics, I am assisting in the translation of some of my songs in different languages including “At Seventeen” in Mandarin Chinese, in addition to re-editing my poetry book from 1967 that is going to be published shortly to include some poems left out by the publisher.”
One of those poems was about a same sex relationship that publisher’s felt was too risky for that era and possibly damaging to Ian’s career. Ian has since come out that she is a homosexual and was one of the first celebrities to go on record about being gay.
Her performance at Bliss will be solo, her preference of the past five years when she stopped touring with a band.
“Playing solo forces me to really push the envelope as a guitarist and to create a competitive show that would follow a high energy blues band,” said Ian

CANADIAN BLUES
Another Bliss first-timer will be Canadian blues vocalist and guitarist Rita Chiarelli. Blissfest executive director Jim Gillespie is confident that Chiarelli will leave those in attendance on Sunday in awe with her high-powered performance.
“Rita Chiarelli is a phenomenal singer and songwriter and we are pleased to have her coming to Bliss this year,” said Gillespie. “Her reputation in Canada is unbelievable and her performance at Bliss will certainly be a memorable one.”
Chiarelli, like Ian, got her start singing professionally at the age of 15 in nightclubs.
“I was so young that my parents had to accompany me to my shows,” said Chiarelli. “I would go to high school during the week and then play clubs on the weekend.”
After high school she headed to Italy for six years to perform and record before returning to Canada, a place that Chiarelli considers to be challenging for performance musicians.
“Geographically Canada is larger than the US but we only have a population of 35 million people,” said Chiarelli. “There are fewer people and places to perform for and a lot of travel distance to get from club to club.”
Despite the challenges of performing in Canada, Chiarelli won the Canadian Music Awards for blues singer of the year in 2001.
Her Bliss performance will mark Chiarelli’s first ever in Michigan.
“I am very aware of Michigan’s rich musical heritage and know that people there have a great appreciation for music,” said Chiarelli. “So I welcome the opportunity to perform in front of that type of crowd and hope I can win them over.”
Chiarelli should have no problem impressing Blissfester’s. Her ability to float through her three-octave range gives her a powerful, soulful presence on the stage.
“I am definitely R&B, soul and blues influenced,” said Chiarelli. “In Canada we could get this New York station that played Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin and other Motwon greats. It also exposed me to several blues and jazz artists that just were not known in Canada.”

AFRO-CUBA
Other artists of note this year include Cuban guitarist Carlos Placeres. Placres who now resides in Montreal will bring an Afro-Cuban jazz and blues sound to the stage. Titos Sampo a native of Congo, Africa sings and dances simultaneously native Congolese songs and dances.
Bliss attendees who look forward to Celtic sounds will not be disappointed. Irish folk musicians Chulrua will perform Friday and Sunday. The three-piece band will present both traditional and original tunes. U of M student Jeremy Kittel may be the surprise performer of the weekend. Kittlel a junior studying jazz has been catching quite a few ears with his fiddle playing. His set will feature a variety a Scottish dance tunes as well as some original jazz pieces for the violin pieces.
The three-day festival features a main stage with two additional stages for continuous music throughout the weekend. Bliss is a family festival and organizers will again have a kid’s area with activities and music. Workshops are another popular aspect of the festival and will include crafts, songwriting, drumming and various other instrument demonstrations. On-site camping is available with new rustic showers.
The answer to the most often asked question is: yes Crazy Richard will be there. Blissfest is not complete without the Madd Juggler from East Jordan. Rounding out the Blissfest are David Wilcox, Titos Sompa Mbongi Dance Theater, La Feufollet, Chulrua, Badabing Badaboom, The Grasshoppers, Fantuzzi, Big Sandy & The Fly Right Boys, Dave Massengill, Mustard‘s Retreat, The Weepers, Michael Lee, Kirby, Jay Webber, Jeremy Kittel w/ John Behling, Tangerine Trousers, Wanda Degen, Jim Bizer Trio, Judy Piazza, John Lamb, K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, and Bruce Lash.
The final question that remains is will you be a part of the three days of fun, family, peace, love, crafts, dancing and a musical experience like no other in the area?

For more information on the 22nd Annual Blissfest at the Blissfest Festival Farm in Cross Village over the weekend of July 12-14 call (231) 348-7047 or visit www.blissfest.org . The website includes links to the many of the 30 performers scheduled for the festival, a map and a online ticket order form.

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