Manitou Music Festival welcomes Sister Wilene, Electric Blue Quintet and Wild Turkeys

Press release

Celebrating its 19th season in Glen Arbor, the Manitou Music Festival’s diverse lineup continues this summer, featuring classical, jazz, blues, folk, country and bluegrass music. The festival, sponsored by the Glen Arbor Art Association, will host the annual Arts Collage on Aug. 4 and 5 (free the first night), Sister Wilene on Aug. 9, the Summer Singers’ free annual concert on Aug. 11 at the Glen Lake Reformed Church, the Electric Blue Quintet on Aug. 12 and the Wild Turkeys on Aug. 19 on the graduation green at The Leelanau School. All other concerts will be held at the Lake Street Studio Stage in Glen Arbor at 8 p.m. Rain location is the Empire Town Hall.

Have you ever wondered what happened to real country music?

Sister Wilene will take you back to the days when country music was a pocketful of heartfelt ballads and great swing songs you could dance to. From the traditions of Patsy Cline to Bob Wills, from the honky-tonks to the dance halls to the front porches, this band will take you down memory lane or perhaps introduce you to some of the greatest American music ever played.

Sister Wilene’s sound is built around lead singer and rhythm guitar player Mary Sue Wilkinson. Mary Sue comes from the “old wave, new time” bands Iowa Rose and The Pets, bands that have enjoyed local, regional and national attention. Sister Wilene puts Mary Sue out front with her crystal clear voice that can pull at your heartstrings or lead you to the dance floor.

Drummer Dave Collini and bassist Kevin Gills lay down the driving rhythm section. Add to that the lightening quick virtuosity of Joe Wilson on steel guitar, the tasty licks of Don Julin on guitar and mandolin and the melodious playing of Lauran Bittinger on accordion and you’ve got a true hoedown of inspired American music.

The diverse backgrounds of the members of this “super band” allow them to approach the genre with an attitude that stays true to the music while bringing fresh energy. All have extensive performance and touring credits with other bands including, among many others, Steppin’ In It, Rusty Blaides, The Neptune Quartet, The Milroys and Dublin Station. All are in high demand as soloists and session players.

Named for the only female member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys — accordion player Wilene Forrester — Sister Wilene gives a nod to the country/bluegrass/Americana tradition with a repertoire of country songs that have survived the decades, most written by someone named Hank.

The Electric Blue Quintet

The Electric Blue Quintet is a woodwind quintet committed both to performing the standard works for the ensemble and exploring the boundaries of the contemporary repertoire. Electric Blue is also strongly devoted to education and outreach, actively teaching and performing chamber music at Michigan State University, where the ensemble is based. Recent performances in the Lansing area include the Lansing Historical Museum and Michigan State University.

The Electric Blue Quintet will perform on Aug. 12 at the Lake Street Studio Stage.

The Wild Turkeys

From the icy shores of Northern Ontario, comes this new sizzling hot band of pickin’ and grinnin’ cowboys. The Wild Turkeys fun stage presence and energetic sound has been recently coined as “Swamp-Stomp Country.” Armed with fiddles, mandolin, guitar, bass, harmonica, a tin can percussive suitcase contraption, and melodic four part harmonies, the Turkeys win over the hearts and ears of audiences everywhere. This gang of brothers first came together as a band in the winter months of 2006 and quickly formed a stronghold in the Sault Ste. Marie Algoma region. Perpetually on tour, the Turkeys follow a busy schedule performing at festivals, house concerts and small venues. Over the past two years, The Wild Turkeys have shared the stage with artists such as the Cowboy Junkies, Prairie Oyster, Creaking Tree String Quartet, and Washboard Hank. This band blends masterful classical techniques with a youthful and theatrical approach to old time country.

In April 2007, they released their first independently funded, original album entitled “Unplucked,” which gained nominations from the Northern Ontario Music and Film in Motion Awards (MFM) for “Best Album” and “Best Songwriter.” April 2008 saw the successful release of their second, full-length album, “Suspendered.” Watch out for these Turkeys as they are quickly gaining national and international success.

“… The Wild Turkeys have proved themselves worthy of a place next to my Johnny Cash and Hank Williams recordings, while not taking anything too seriously …” SooToday.com

“With sweet four part harmonies, strong lyrics that’ll make you laugh and cry, wicked playing and enough energy to power a small city …” Fresh Magazine

“Voted the best looking and sounding new generation roots band at the 2008 Blissfest Festival … Totally entertaining, these lads are on their way … catch them while you still can.” Blissfest Beat 2008-2009.

The Wild Turkeys will play at the Manitou Music Festival on Aug. 19 on the graduation green at The Leelanau School.

Please Visit the Manitou Music Festival’s website (www.manitoumusicfestival.com) for information and tickets. All tickets cost $15 (Children 18 and under are free). Tickets may be purchased at concert venues or by calling the Glen Arbor Art Association (231) 334-6112 or Lake Street Studios (231) 334-3179.