Loverboy

Feb. 10, 2008

It’s not easy to find great rock bands from the past that have all of
their original members. Try naming a band that has been together for 30
years that still has all of its original members. Hard, isn’t it? U2 is
one of the few.
Loverboy, who will perform during the Winter Wonderfest on February 17 at
the Grand Traverse Resort, is pretty close. A freak sailing accident eight
years ago when a 26-foot-wave swept Loverboy bass player Scott Smith into
the shark-infested waters under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Bay ended the band’s 23-year run with all of its original members. Smith’s
body was never recovered and the band decided to forge on, dedicating
their future tours to his memory.
“It has always been important to us to keep our original members
together,” said Mike Reno, lead singer. “So many bands tour with the
second cousin of the original drummer and all replacement players. When we
come to do a show you get the real Loverboy. Losing Scott was a tragedy.
On occasion our keyboard player Doug Johnson has movie commitments and we
pick up a replacement player. I think it is important that the fans kept a
true Loverboy show and the rest of the guys agree.”
 
NEW STUFF
Loverboy is currently touring in support of their first CD of original
material in 10 years and “Just Getting Started” is just the band’s second
album of original works in 20 years. For classic rock bands, finding a
place for new material on the airwaves is a challenge.
“It is why we waited so long to release a new album. Radio has a catch-22
because stations with a classic rock format play songs that are at least
20 years old, so when bands from the classic rock era release a new album
today those stations can’t play their material,” said Reno. “The stations
playing the modern rock has no connection to bands like us, so they won’t
play our new stuff. I think things are starting to change though. Look, if
Led Zeppelin releases a new album, is that going to be ignored? I don’t
think so.”
But doesn’t it get down to the
formatters?
“Don’t even get me started. It is frustrating to think that a couple of
guys are deciding what millions are listening to on the radio. But times
are a-changing and the Internet is certainly playing a big role,” said
Reno. “For us what happened was that we do 100 plus shows a year and play
new songs and our fans kept telling us they wanted to buy these songs. So
we recorded what we felt were the 10 best and released them last
November.”
Initial reviews of “Just Getting Started” have been positive and the band
has to pleased.
“Yes, and it is selling well despite lack of major radio airplay. We
produced this album in-house; we funded it, took our time and put a lot of
blood and sweat into it,” said Reno. “Our hard work is paying off as ‘Just
Getting Started,’ is now the number one selling import album in several
European countries. We have been getting a lot of airplay in our home
country of Canada and a Kalamazoo station broke formatting ranks and has
been playing the new album. That has led to other American stations
starting to play ‘The One That Got Away.’ ”
 
NEW BEGINNING
You guys have always had tongue-in-cheek album titles and covers and “Just
Getting Started” again is a play on words.
“It is, but it also reflects how we feel that after 30 years we really are
just getting started,” said Reno. “Look, ‘Working For The Weekend’ is a
great song, but we don’t want to rest on our laurels. Just last week we
had two sold-out shows and it was great to see all of these young fans in
the front rows singing and dancing. What really surprised me was they knew
the lyrics to our new material.”
A lot of classic rock bands are appealing to the younger generation. A
couple of your tunes are anthem songs that are played at sporting events,
but what do you think makes Loverboy appealing to the younger generation?
“I think our success has stemmed from the fact that our songs are fun.
They are happy party songs that are great to sing and dance to,” said
Reno. “I always felt that other groups could tell you about the strife and
the ills of the day. Loverboy music and concerts are escapism from all of
that. Life is about having fun and there is enough negative out there. Our
concerts are a chance for our fans to get away it all for a few hours.”
A few hours -- how long do you guys play for?
“We play for at least two hours and 20 minutes because we play our 14
Top-40 hits and five songs from the new album,” said Reno. “Look, people
work hard for their money and we want to make it worth their while.”
You guys love playing Michigan don’t you?
“You bet, we consider you Michiganders really part of Canada, especially
everyone in the U.P., Plus we love Ted Nugent.” said Reno. “Michigan
audiences are great; they love to rock and roll, party and have a good
time, and that is what we are all about, so that is why we connect with
them so well.”
Loverboy plays the Grand Traverse Resort as part of the Winter Wonderfest
activities. The concert is Sunday (Presidents Day Weekend many have Monday
off from work)) at Governor’s Hall and the band will perform such hits as
“Turn Me Loose,” “Working For The Weekend,” “Hot Girls In Love,” “Lovin’
Every Minute Of It,” and “When It’s Over.” TO hear samples of their new
songs visit loverboyband.com and for ticket information call the “Loverboy
Hotline”
800-968-2327.


4 Days of Fun
the Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest

By Rick Coates
 Travel Michigan and some state tourism leaders have turned their backs on
promoting “Michigan’s Winter Wonderland” (the slogan from the ‘60s and
‘70s). But that’s not the case for local tourism promoters: The Grand
Traverse Resort & Spa, National Cherry Festival, Traverse City Convention
and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Traverse City Association have
partnered to bring the second annual Cherry Capital Winter Wonderfest.
“It’s a true win-win proposition for residents, business owners and winter
tourists alike,” said Tom Menzel, executive director of the National
Cherry Festival. “This area has long been prized for its natural beauty,
glacier-sculpted terrain and extensive trail systems. The Traverse City
area is well known to skiers, snowmobilers and other winter sports
enthusiasts. But the local tourism economy is still heavily weighted
toward summer, and the community has long been on the lookout for ways to
reduce that seasonal imbalance by developing new winter attractions. This
second Winter WonderFest has new community partnerships and expanded
events that include several in downtown Traverse City.” 

FOUR DAYS OF FUN
The 2008 version of the festival is on President’s Day Weekend and will
consist of four days of activities. The centerpiece of the festival will
be a “Winter Fun Zone” with ice skating, pony rides, inflatable play
structures, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmobile rides, sledding,
cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and a selection of competitive events
that range from the familiar (a 5K “frozen foot race” and a broomball
tournament to the bizarre (a cherry pit spitting contest, a frozen fish
toss and a “Polar Plunge” event where daring swimmers jump into an icy
pond for as long as they can stand it). 
In addition, there will be bonfires, hot-air balloon rides, a chili
cook-off, lots of festive food and beverages, fireworks over the snow, an
“adventure film festival,” a concert featuring the ‘80s rock band
Loverboy, and the “Miss Heart of Michigan” Pageant. 
Here is a partial schedule of happenings. Events are subject to change,
for a complete schedule check out grandtraverseresort.com or phone the
festival hotline at
800-968-2327.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
4-8 pm  “Outdoor Fun Zone” - Family-friendly winter activities include ice
skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile rides (until dark),
horse-drawn sleigh rides, and bonfires. Present your festival button for
access. Location: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the Clubhouse.
5:30-7:30pm  “A Magical Taste of Downtown” presented  by Grand Traverse
Pie Company - Enjoy a variety of cherry-infused foods, with live
entertainment from 5:45pm-7:45pm. Tickets for Adults are $15/ea. while
kids 12 & under are $8/ea. The City Opera House.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
10am-7pm  “Outdoor Fun Zone” (see Friday’s listing)
10am-5pm  Winter Carnival Rides -   Carnival rides including a ferris
wheel (weather permitting) . Present your festival button for access.
Location: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the Clubhouse.
11am-1pm  Pony Rides - Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the Clubhouse.
12-5:00pm  Live Music in Downtown TC - Performances by the Rhythm Kings
and the Gratitude Steel Drum Band. Ice sculptures will be on display
throughout the day. Look for “Sweetheart of a Sale” specials in
participating stores. 12-3:30pm  Soup’r Bowl in Downtown Traverse City - 
A Friendly Soup Competition between downtown restaurants under the tent at
the corner of Cass and Front.   A five-soup sampler ticket is $3 or all
samples for $5. 
12-5pm  Winter Kid’s Activities - Snowshoe race, cherry pie eating
contest, and frozen fish toss at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the
Clubhouse.
1-2:30pm  Mini-Film Festival: “Frozen Stupid” presented by Brauer
Productions - a comic film about ice fishing at the Grand Traverse
Resort’s Council Room.
1-6:00pm  Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides - at the Grand Traverse Resort &
Spa near the Clubhouse.
2:30pm  “Frozen Bed Race” presented by Grand Traverse Area Hotel/Motel
Association - See  the fastest “beds on sleds” in downtown TC.
2-2:30pm  “Polar Plunge” presented by Special Olympics Michigan - Ever
wanted to take a plunge into icy waters just to see what it feels like?
Now’s your shot. The entry fee is a $50 donation to Special Olympics
Michigan. Participants receive admission to the Post Plunge Party
and bragging rights for “freezing your fur” for a great
cause. Registration begins at 1 pm with the plunge beginning around 2 pm.
Post Plunge Party will follow immediately at 2:30 pm.  Location: Grand
Traverse Resort & Spa near the Clubhouse.
3-5pm  Pony Rides - Present your festival button for access. Location:
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the Clubhouse.
8-9:30pm  Mini-Film Festival: “The Lost Treasure of Sawtooth Island”
presented by Brauer Productions - offers an adventurous quest for a hidden
treasure at the Grand Traverse Resort’s Council Room.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17
9am  “The Frosty 5K” Race - This 5K run/walk will take participants
throughout the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa grounds. Registration begins at
8 am at the Clubhouse. Entry requires purchase of $10 festival button
(kids 10 and under are free). Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the
Clubhouse.
10am-7pm  “Outdoor Fun Zone” (see Friday’s listing)
10am-5pm  Winter Carnival Rides - (see Saturday’s listing)
10am-5pm  Kid’s Petting Zoo - at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the
Clubhouse.
11am-1pm  Pony Rides -at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the Clubhouse.
12-3pm  “Grand Chili Cookoff” - Taste a variety of fresh, hot chili dishes
prepared by Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and vote for your favorite.  $7
fee to sample six of our favorite chili recipes or $2 each at the Grand
Traverse Resort & Spa near the Clubhouse.
12-5pm  Winter Kid’s Activities Snowshoe race, cherry pie eating contest,
and frozen fish toss at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the
Clubhouse.
1-6pm  Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides -- Grand Traverse Resort near the Clubhouse.
3-5pm  Pony Rides - Present your festival button for access. Location:
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near the Clubhouse.
7pm  Loverboy Valentine’s Concert, Grand Traverse Resort.
8:30-9pm  Fireworks Show -- The Pavilion at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18
8-10am  Flap Jack Breakfast - Wrap up a weekend of activity with a hearty
pancake breakfast.
9am-12pm  “Outdoor Fun Zone” (see Friday’s listing)