Audie Blaylock & Redline perform at the Sounds of Summer
Audie Blaylock
Audie Blaylock on guitar and Reed Jones on bass
Evan Ward, from California, on banjo
Mason Wright on fiddle
Reed Jones on bass
Plenty of dancing at the last concert
They were even dancing on the playground.
By Patty Williams P. Williams Productions
It was a bluegrass ending to the Sounds of Summer as headliner Audie Blaylock & Redline closed out the music series on July 29.
Cutler Park was filled with bluegrass fans ad local musicians from all over Michigan and the surrounding states. They were not disappointed as the consensus of the audience was that the last concert was a tremendous show.
The Redline musicians traveled from California, West Virginia, and Indiana to perform at the Cutlerville Sounds of Summer. The band features Reed Jones on bass, Evan Ward on banjo, Mason Wright on fiddle and Audie Blaylock on guitar. Audie opened with “Hello Michigan good to be back.”
This past year halted many touring musicians/bands including Redline. So, the group had a blast playing music to the packed park and live audience.
Audie opened with “Hello Michigan good to be back.” (Photos by Patty Williams
From start to finish, Audie performed bluegrass music from its roots. Mason Wright kicked off a hot fiddle tune and the audience knew this was going to be some “good ole” toe tapping bluegrass and the excitement resonated all evening.
The group played and sang many Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley songs and featured several requests including Audie Blaylock’s No. 1 song recorded on The 615 Hideaway Records, “Love’s Fleeting Fire.”
The music was exceptional and the bands tight harmonies were flawless. The concert ended with an encore standing ovation.
All the Sounds of Summer concerts are recorded and can be watched on WKTV Channel 25. Check listings for times. The concerts are produced by P. Williams Productions and sponsored by Byron Township. To follow the Sounds of Summer, visit the Facebook page. Note that the series will be back in 2022 with the same schedule, every Thursday in July at 7 p.m. at Cutler Park.
Each week, WKTV features an adoptable furry friend (or few) from various shelters in the Grand Rapids area. This week, we focus on Humane Society of West Michigan, located at 3077 Wilson Dr. NW in Grand Rapids.
Humane Society of West Michigan’s mission is to rescue hurt, abused and abandoned animals and find them a new forever home. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization helps over 8,000 animals annually and is 100% donor-funded by caring individuals and businesses in the community. Additional programs help reduce pet overpopulation, provide assistance to low-income pet owners, behaviorally assess animals and reunite lost pets with their owners.
Bluegrass has limited vision, unlimited love
Bluegrass — Male American Pit Bull Terrier
I’m a social and sweet 2-year-old dog looking for my forever home! I have limited vision and reduced depth perception so I would do well in a home with older/respectful children who would take care not to startle me. I would also do well in a home where I don’t have to take too many stairs because this can be tough with my limited vision. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan!
More about Bluegrass:
Breed: Terrier, American Pit Bull/Mix
Age: 2 years
Gender: Male
Size: Medium
Neutered
Animal ID: 34721285
Adorable Icy has been waiting since December 2016 for a home of her own
Icy — Female Domestic Short Hair
I’m a sweet 12-year-old cat STILL looking for my forever home! I have been patiently waiting at Humane Society of West Michigan since December 2016. I can be shy and like having my own little hiding space, but I’m also very friendly and loving. I enjoy pets and will approach visitors for some pets and ear scratches. I would do well with older, respectful children and a relaxed home. Please come meet me at Humane Society of West Michigan! Adoption fees are waived for animals 7 years and older, thanks to generous grant funding.
More about Icy:
Breed: Domestic Short Hair
Age: 12 years
Gender: Female
Size: Small
Color: Brown/Orange
Spayed
Animal ID: 34225686
Tommy & Jerry — Male Domestic Short Hairs
Meet this dynamic pair of 13-year-old cats that have lived their whole lives together. They are a bonded pair and must be adopted together. They’d like to live in a quiet, relaxed home where we would have their own space to snuggle up and nap. They are both front declawed. Thanks to generous grant funding, senior pets (ages 7 years and older) always have their adoption fees waived.
More about Jerry:
Breed: Domestic Shorthair/Mix
Age: 13+
Gender: Male
Size: Medium
Color: Brown
Neutered
Declawed
Must be adopted with Tommy
Animal ID: 30861577
More about Tommy:
Breed: Domestic Shorthair/Mix
Age: 13+
Gender: Male
Size: Medium
Color: Brown/Black
Neutered
Must be adopted with Jerry
Animal ID: 30861563
Rocky — Male Hound Mix
This sweet, 2-year-old dog just recently arrived at HSWM from another shelter in Mississippi, which makes much of his history a mystery. Please come meet him at Humane Society of West Michigan!
This Saturday (4/29), HSWM is participating in Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelter event. On Saturday, 4/29 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Bissell Pet Foundation will be paying for the adoption fees for all adult animals at HSWM.
A test for heartworm disease (if six months or older)
A first series of vaccines including DHLPP (distemper combo), Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine, and rabies (if older than 14 weeks of age)
Spay/Neuter Surgery
Treatment for internal parasites
One dose of flea preventative
One dose of heartworm preventative
The organization automatically microchips all adoptable animals using 24PetWatch microchips, which include FREE registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet is also provided with 30 days of FREE ShelterCare Pet Health Insurance with a valid email address. For more information visit www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-7387 (PETS).
Humane Society of West Michigan is open Tues-Fri 12-7, Sat & Sun 11-4.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market will host a bluegrass concert featuring the Chapel Hill, N.C. band Mipso on October 22 at 7 p.m. to benefit the Education Foundation’s individual scholarship program.
Mipso is a southern bluegrass trio featuring fiddler and vocalist Libby Rodenbough along with Jacob Sharp on mandolin, Joseph Terrell on guitar, and Wood Robinson on bass.
Mipso’s 2013 debut album, with a mix of three-part harmony and Appalachian influences, rose to #8 on Billboard’s bluegrass charts. The band is currently touring the country in support of their newly released album, “Old Time Reverie.” Local bluegrass musician Mark Lavengood will open for Mipso, and perform with them throughout the evening.
The Downtown Market Education Foundation is a non-profit organization created to offer culinary and nutritional education, entrepreneur opportunities and a place for local food production. With the goal of creating a healthier community lifestyle, the organization supports access to, and promotion of, fresh healthy foods for all, including disadvantaged families and children.
Mark Lavengood
To date, the foundation has given more than 3,000 scholarships and brought in nearly 40 community organizations for nutrition education, culinary and gardening classes, and training in entrepreneurship and food production. The Mipso concert will help fund additional individual class scholarships, and is underwritten by David and Judy Frey.
WHAT: Bluegrass concert featuring Mipso and Mark Lavengood to benefit Downtown Market Education Foundation. Cash bar will be available.
WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Grand Rapids Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, second floor
Bluegrass music is American music, pure, honest and beautiful in its simplicity. It came out of the mountains of Appalachia from a rich musical heritage of Scotch/Irish immigrants and was passed down from generation to generation.
Come, celebrate and enjoy this most American music at Fallfest 2015. Join us on September 18-19, 2015 at the Kent County Youth Fairgrounds in Lowell, Michigan for a music festival that the whole family can enjoy. We will have instrument workshops, food vendors and lots of campsite jammin’.
Actually, jammin’ will be the main focus for this entire festival. Bring your instrument and join in. There will be something for all levels of ability.
Also, there will be an open stage on Friday and Saturday for bands and/or individuals that want to perform before an audience. Be sure to bring lawn chairs for the great show inside our concert building. It’s Bluegrass music, come rain or shine.
The great news, admission for the festival is just your donation! Campsites are available for just $15 per night.
Just the Facts:
Fallfest Bluegrass Music Festival Camp & Jam Event
September 18-19, 2015
Kent County Youth Fairgrounds, Lowell MI
West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association
Dave Simmonds-Promotion and Publicity Chairman
Phone (616) 897-6220
Fallfest 2015 is sponsored/produced by the West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association. For more information or interview, call WMBMA President Lee Strassburger at (616) 891-8825 or visit our website at www.wmbma.org
