Stars Come out for Olson Wedding Jam

July 24, 2002

Yeah, Kid Rock was in the house (Union Street Station) that is the house that belongs to local guitar great Kenny Olson. Olson married July 14 in a private ceremony along the shores of East Bay. Family and a who’s who from the Detroit music scene attended the wedding ceremony.
After the private ceremony and reception 300 family and friends joined Kenny and his wife Dana at Union Street Station for what turned into an all-night jam and celebration. Word quickly spread around town and 500 plus gathered in the alley to get a glimpse and a listen to Kid Rock and the many all-star musicians who took to the stage. Despite Kid Rock and several other musicians present that night, the stage belonged to Kenny Olson.
The evening began with local musicians Ivan Greilick, Denny Kline and Kevin Kelly taking the stage. Greilick’s guitar playing and soulful voice drew applause and cheers from Kid Rock and others. After leaving the stage Greilick received some kind words and admiration of for his playing by Rock.
Then Brian Schram took the stage and quieted the loud crowd with his playing. Jaws literally dropped by the many who were hearing Brian for the first time. Impressed with Schram’s playing Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker offered Schram a job. Schram will leave immediately with Uncle Kracker to perform on the Conan O’Brien show, do a couple of concerts in New York and perform in the Hampton’s as part of the new reality mini-series The Hampton’s to air August 7.
After Schram finished his set the crowd called Kenny to the stage. Kid Rock jumped up asked the crowd: “what the hell is going on up here, do they breed great guitar players in Traverse City?” Then with guitar in hand Kid Rock kicked into the Allman Brothers “Midnight Special” rapping in his own hit “Cowboy.”
A shirtless Kid Rock with his giant eagle tattoo on his back with bold letters AMERICAN BADD ASS danced around the staged and kicked into a Led Zepplin classic bringing other band members Jason Krause and Jimmy Bones to the stage. Olson jammed a 5-minute guitar solo that brought the guests close to the stage. Then as they so often do in their live shows Olson and Krause began a guitar dual. The crowd went crazy.
Several people in the alley tried climbing through open windows to join the fun. They were met by Kid Rock‘s friend and bodygaurd TA. TA who bench presses over 500 pounds became a quick deterrent to potential party crashers.
The one-hour jam session featured several Olson guitar solos. During a blazing rendition of the Stone’s “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, Rock challenged the crowd to make some noise and the place went nuts. They quickly kicked into Rock’s tribute to country music, and then rocked the house with “American Band” before closing it out with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” Olson kicked into a guitar solo with Rock reminding everyone “that’s your hometown boy.”
The band stepped off the stage to prepare for a serious of toasts and a special presentation from Kenny’s friends in Traverse City. Dave Vanocker of Union Street Station presented on behalf of Traverse City to Kenny and Dana the gift of the stage at Union Street being officially named The Kenny Olson Stage with a glass and mirrored sign to hang over the stage stating such. A wall at Union Street will be dedicated to Kenny with pictures of his career and a special Gibson Kenny Olson Signature Guitar encased into the wall.
After several toasts, Detroit’s Howling Diablos came to the stage for a scorching one-hour set before an all-star line up of musicians joined them. Lead singer Tino called them out during his rendition of “Gloria” “put your hands together for Traverse City’s own Kenny Olson and for Ray Charles illegitimate son from Romeo, MI on keyboards Mr. Kid Rock, and keep those hands together for Alto Reed from Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band.” The evening of music concluded with Kid Rock taking charge with a 45-minute melody of soul and blues tunes.
What was suppose to be a night of gifts for Kenny Olson and his bride turned into Kenny and Dana giving family and friends one huge musical gift. For those who know Kenny Olson that should not come as a surprise, this humble guy from town who now plays on the world music stage has never lost his sense of who he is or where he is from. While those in attendance were swept up by the all-star jam, Kid Rock reminded everyone this was “not about the music but about two people in love who truly care for each other.” Congratulations Kenny and Dana!