Tag Archives: Wyoming Concerts in the Park

MexiCuba is bringing the heat to Wyoming on July 21

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MexiCuba. (Photo: Wity Zaldivar. Used with Permission)


By Lillian Reiner
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org


From Cuba to West Michigan, MexiCuba’s origin and influences span multiple different countries. Band director Wity Zaldívar moved to the United States four years ago after a successful career in Havana, Cuba, and has since worked to grow the Latin music scene in Grand Rapids.

 “Latin music possesses a unique quality, it brightens your heart and makes you move,” Zaldívar said. “As we like to say in the band: when it’s cold, we bring the heat; and when it’s hot, we bring flavor and refreshment. That is what we represent.”

MexiCuba will showcase its unique blend of salsa and timba music on Tuesday, July 21, at 6 p.m. at Lamar Park, as part of the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series. This will be their first of many performances in Wyoming. Come prepared to enjoy not only live music, but a unique cultural experience that will energize and inspire listeners to get up and dance.

A Blend of Backgrounds

The band met and formed in the United States, although five of its seven members began their careers in Cuba and Mexico. 

Zaldívar, a pianist since age 4 and orchestra director since 12, studied classical music at the Guillermo Tomás Conservatory in Havana, Cuba.

“My heart is divided between Mexico and Cuba, as Mexico was the first country to open its doors to me, creating a unique blend between both nations that is reflected in the identity and power of the entire group,” Zaldívar shared. 

MexiCuba began as a duo between Zaldívar and Yuriana Sobrino, and later a trio when Yordano Parsons joined. Parsons is a bassist and singer who developed his career in Havana and Mexico. 

Parsons introduced the band’s remaining members, including Dayana Fowler, who plays the congas and provides backup vocals, and guitarist and singer Dayan Ramírez, who injects energy and adrenaline into every performance. Bryan Robles, of Puerto Rican descent, is the band’s drummer and is currently mastering the Latin timbales. 

Vocalist Sara Collins-Nunez is a native of Grand Rapids, and had no prior experience as a singer before joining MexiCuba less than a  year ago. Vocalist Liliana Medina spent many years singing in Mexico before bringing her talent to West Michigan.

Depending on the occasion, they perform as a duo, a trio, or with the full orchestra. 

MexiCuba. (Photo: Wity Zaldivar. Used with Permission)


Carving a path for Latin Music

When MexiCuba first arrived in Grand Rapids, the challenge was making a space for the concept of live Latin music in the minds of local venues. They began playing at restaurants such as MeXo, Playas Nayaritas, and Taco Borracho, and began gaining traction until they were playing on stages around the region.

Having performed at Frederik Meijer Gardens four or five times, Zaldívar shared that it now feels like home to the band.

A dream come true

Recently, MexiCuba was selected from over 300 artistic proposals to play at the grand opening of the Acrisure Amphitheater. As a gift, they were given the opportunity to record at Theory Studios.

“The vibe in that space was magical, and we were absolutely blown away by the results,” Zaldívar said.

During this session, they recorded a song called Sorpréndeme, which was born out of their ability to invent and improvise music right in the moment of recording.

 “We rehearse just enough, everything else flows directly and organically in front of the audience, which makes every concert a completely different and unique experience,” Zaldívar explained.

MexiCuba is looking forward to bringing their music and energetic performances outside of Michigan, as they will soon be adding Chicago to their repertoire. Learn about upcoming shows on the band’s Facebook page. 

“If anyone needs to feel good, loved, appreciated, and ready to party, they simply have to come and see MexiCuba,” Zaldívar emphasized.

Brena returns to Wyoming Concerts in the Park July 14

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Brena. (Photo: Brena. Used with Permission)


By Lillian Reiner
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org

Lillian Reiner

West Michigan’s premier cover band, Brena, is bringing its feel good covers to the Wyoming Concerts in the Park stage once again on Tuesday, July 14, at 6 p.m. at Lamar Park. 

The Wyoming Concerts provide the chance for community members to come together for free music and food from local food trucks. 

“Performing for an audience and seeing the joy that we bring into people’s lives is so rewarding and keeps us doing what we do,” said Craig Avery, vocalist and keyboard player. “I like to think that people come to see us to have fun and listen to good music, but also as an escape from whatever struggles they might be facing.” 

Switching gears

The band met as music students at Grand Valley State University, but only two original members, Avery and multi-instrumentalist Steffan Copenhaver, remain. 

The current lineup, consisting of vocalist Michele Moretti, guitarists Sam Parks and Matt Kok, vocalist, guitarist, and trombone player Sean Copenhaver, and drummer Sam Briggs, has been together since 2013. They also are joined by award-winning vocalist, Kelly Carey, on occasion. KM Denton is the band’s sound tech.

When the band was first formed in 2006, they played original music and performed at college campuses around the country. After releasing three albums and encountering financial troubles, they decided to make a change. 

“In 2011, we decided to hang up the original band touring lifestyle and switched gears and became a cover band,” Avery said. 

They began playing at bars, private parties and weddings, at first only playing 30 events per year, and now play an average of 130 events each year. 

“We discovered we could actually make a living playing music,” Avery said.

Brena boasts an extensive and versatile song list for every occasion, from classic and modern rock to modern pop, R&B, rap, country and “Oldies.”

Brena origin

While Brena has undergone many changes since their inception, the name has stuck around, although the naming of the band was left completely to chance.

“We were rehearsing in our friend’s basement getting ready to perform at the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts in 2007 and we needed a band name in order to submit for a potential spot in the lineup,” Avery said. “So we threw a bunch of names in a hat and drew Brena.”

The band often jokes about the origin of their name, saying that Brena is a girl they all dated at one time, or an acronym for something, but the truth is that no one knows who threw the name in the hat or its significance. 

Memorable performances

Brena has played thousands of shows during their nearly two decades as a band, but there are a couple of performances that stand out. They played during the Detroit Tigers Opening Day Block Party, in the freezing cold for the NHL Winter Classic at the University of Michigan stadium on New Year’s Day, as well as for thousands of college students in Panama City Beach, Florida, for Spring break.

“Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Street Dance is always a favorite of ours,” Avery added.

Brena treats every performance as an opportunity for people to let loose, leave their baggage at home, and just have a good time.

Looking to the future

While the band doesn’t have any immediate plans to start writing original music, they have tossed around the idea of writing children’s music in a pop rock style. Many members have started families of their own and naturally have felt drawn towards creating music for and about their kids.

But for the time being, Brena will continue being West Michigan’s premier cover band for as long as they can.

 “We love what we do,” Avery said. 

Wyoming Concerts in the Park 2026. (Photo: City of Wyoming: Used with Permission)

Michigan Songbird of Soul, Molly Bouwsma Schultz, performs live at Wyoming Concerts in the Park July 7

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Molly Bouwsma-Schultz. (Photo: Olivia Easterday Photo. Used with Permission)

Lillian Reiner

By Lillian Reiner
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

The “Michigan Songbird of Soul”, MOLLY, is more than a singer, she is a storyteller striving to celebrate her Michigan upbringing and African roots, while sharing her raw view of the world. 



“I want to explore a soul music that can make you feel more than nostalgia for a past era, to confront the realities of our current system through sound and action,” Molly Bouwsma Schultz said.

MOLLY is performing on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the City of Wyoming Concerts in the Park series, in which a different band performs every Tuesday in July. Performances will begin at 6 p.m. at Lamar Park. 

Branching out on her own

While Molly’s singing career began in 2008 when she joined a blues band in college, her love for music and performing began before she could even speak.

“I was connecting language to musical notes, and it always felt very natural to me,” Molly explained. 

She moved towards writing and performing original music in 2013 with her band Vox Vidorra, but made the decision to pursue a career as a solo artist in 2018 to explore her own roots, history and influences. 

Her songs are a combination of her life experiences, the wisdom she has amassed, and her belief that freedom, in its many forms, is an ancestral right. Her music is laced with political and social commentary, making it an evolving representation of the times. She incorporates elements of African music into all of her songs, from the polyrhythms of West African drums to the powerful vocals of soul and gospel tradition.

“Telling my own stories and creating melodies from my own personal journals is a new layer of vulnerability that is always changing and opening creative doors. 

“I’m driven by being able to express joy and pain simultaneously” 


Molly Bouwsma-Schultz. (Photo: Olivia Easterday Photo. Used with Permission)


In many ways, Molly’s music is a reflection of her soul, and thus is constantly evolving. 

“I am consistently expanding my sound and have most recently made space in my set for ancient healing music through spiritual connect, ambient tones, and mantras as a way to reclaim practices that honor my ancestors.” 

Molly attributes soul music to tearing down barriers both in the music industry and society itself. However, in the current age of AI, the integrity of all music is under threat, but especially soul music, which is beloved for its authenticity and genuineness. 

“When using AI as a tool to scan the internet for people’s voices, we are taking away their consent to extract their ‘soul’ for profit, which is something that is fake.”

Opening creative doors

Molly has shared the stage with many incredible artists in her 20 years of performing, including Billy Strings, War & Treaty, Third Eye Blind, and Chico Debarge, but the highlight of her career was opening for Leslie Odom Jr. in 2024 in a sold out show at Frederick Meijer Gardens. 

“Having such a meaningful and inspiring experience affirms that being persistent and staying committed has opened doors for me and my fellow collaborators,” Molly said.

Listen to MOLLY

Fans of MOLLY will enjoy her debut LP coming out later this year. It is the product of five years of experimenting with her sound and growing in her song writing abilities. 

Her three-song EP can be heard on Spotify, apple music and Tidal. Follow Molly on Facebook for live updates on performances and new music. 

Molly has several performances lined up around Michigan this summer, and is looking forward to eventually performing her music around the world. 

Authentic Rock ‘n’ Roll: American Rust performs live at Wyoming Concerts in the Park on June 23

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American Rust to perform June 23 at Wyoming Concerts in the Park. (Photo: City of Wyoming/American Rust: Used with Permission)


By Deborah Reed
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org


Grand Rapids’ newly formed heartland and Americana band, American Rust, is a rock ‘n’ roll band making heartfelt original music – and it is resonating with audiences.

“What we do is authentic, and the music is the focus,” said Kevin Langeland, band founder and musician.

“We aren’t pandering for clicks or views, we aren’t trying to get in on trends, we aren’t recycling sing-along covers. We’re a rock ‘n’ roll band making heartfelt original material with hopes that other people enjoy and connect with it too.”

American Rust will perform Tuesday, June 23, as part of the City of Wyoming’s 2026 Concerts in the Park series. Interested listeners can go to Lamar Park at 6 p.m. for the live performance.

“We are American Rust!”

American Rust introduced themselves to the world on May 5, 2025, with a Facebook post, released their debut EP and made their official performance debut on July 28, 2025, and quickly gained traction in the local music scene.

Listeners will find American Rust’s brand of middle-of-America rustbelt rock to be a little more rock ‘n’ roll than country, while still heavily established in heartland and Midwestern musical traditions.

Langeland formed the four-piece band after his previous band, Paradise Outlaw, disbanded. Langeland, guitarist Alex Cegelis, drummer Matt Murphy and bassist Adam Estes knew each other previously through the music industry.

“We’ve all played in other bands before American Rust,” Langeland said. “When my previous band came to an end, I reached out to them individually and asked if they wanted to start a new band with me. Needless to say, everyone got on board.”


Kevin Langeland during the recording of American Rust’s first EP. (Photo: Kevin Langeland, American Rust: Used with Permission)


American Rust is drawn to the heartland rock/Americana genre because of the subject matter of the songs.

“So much of the stuff in that world is heartfelt stories and feelings about real life,” Langeland said. “It’s very relatable, which is where a lot of that magic and power comes from.”

As the author of American Rust’s songs, Langeland said he is a bit old school in that he lets the songs do the talking.

A passion to be shared

Langeland’s passion for music began when he was young, and began writing and playing music at age 16. Another decade passed, however, before he seriously turned his focus to music.


“The thing that draws me to music the most is the ‘magic’ [or] power that a song can have,” Langeland explained. “The way it can make you feel.


“Music is my greatest passion. I can’t imagine life without it. There’s something for every mood, every situation, every expression, and it’s constantly all around me, making the ‘soundtrack of my life.’”


Being able to share his passion for music through performing is a gift – to Langeland as well as to others.


“What I enjoy the most about performing is when sharing my passion resonates with other people too,” Langeland said. “There’s something special about performing a song that people relate to, enjoy and then feed energy back because of that.”


While that connection is a vital part of why Langeland performs, there also is the joy of simply enjoying the music.

“The bands, the instrumentation, the sounds, the energy are heavily inspired by a combination of southern rock, country, blues, and that’s all the good stuff.”

Gaining momentum – and not looking back!

American Rust is gaining momentum in the music scene and has no plans to stop playing “the good stuff.”

A collection of original American Rust songs is being honed for a full-length album that Langeland hopes to begin recording in the fall. As a fairly new band, they have played only a handful of shows in the West Michigan area to date, but Langeland is continuing to pursue opportunities for the band.

“I have a few irons in the fire, and it’s our hope to continue playing and picking up traction,” Langeland said.

Listen to American Rust

Those interested in attending an American Rust show can watch for event updates on their Facebook page.

Listen to their American Rust – EP on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.

Catch American Rust on local airwaves during the Michigan Music Showcase on WYCE 88.1 FM. Listen to past broadcasts on the WYCE station page.

2026 Wyoming Concerts in the Park lineup

Attend the rest of the Wyoming 2026 Concerts in the Park performances at Lamar Park on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Bring a chair or blanket so you can sit back, relax, take in the show and enjoy food from a variety of food trucks.

Wyoming Concerts in the Park 2026. (Photo: City of Wyoming: Used with Permission)

Wyoming FREE Concerts in the Park Lineup featuring Kanin Wren: Taylor Swift Experience, MexiCuba and more!

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Kanin Wren: Taylor Swift Experience to perform at the Wyoming Concerts in the Park this summer. (Photo: City of Wyoming: Used with Permission)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming is counting down to the return of its popular Concerts in the Park series, with the 2026 season kicking off June 16 at Lamar Park.

Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy free live music, food trucks and family-friendly fun on select Tuesdays throughout the summer. All concerts begin at 6 p.m. at Lamar Park and feature a variety of musical genres for audiences of all ages.

The 2026 Concerts in the Park lineup includes:

*June 16: Kanin Wren Music — Taylor Swift Experience

*June 23: American Rust — Heartland rock and Americana

*July 7: Molly — Soul music

*July 14: Brena — Popular covers

*July 21: MexiCuba — Latin music

*July 28: On The Lash — Irish traditional music


Brena to perform at the Wyoming Concerts in the Park this summer. (Photo: City of Wyoming: Used with Permission)


“Concerts in the Park has become a summer tradition that brings our community together through music, entertainment and shared experiences,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Krashawn Martin. “We are excited to offer another outstanding lineup this year and invite residents of all ages to join us at Lamar Park for evenings filled with great performances, delicious food and community connection.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating and arrive early. A variety of food trucks will be on-site at each concert.

For more information about Concerts in the Park, visit the city’s website at wyomingmi.gov/concerts or follow the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation on social media for updates.

The Reverend Jesse Ray takes the stage at Lamar Park with his Americana Rock N Roots experience on Aug. 15

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , ,
The Reverend Jesse Ray sings with soul at Ramshackle Brewing in Jonesville (Courtesy, Paul Jensen)

By Deborah Reed

deborah@wktv.org

The Reverend Jesse Ray will wrap up the Concerts in the Park summer series with an Americana Rock N Roots experience at Lamar Park in Wyoming on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m.

Patty Matters – Food Truck will have gourmet burgers available to purchase during the concert, and attendees are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the summer evening and live music.

The beginning of it all

The Reverend Jesse Ray has always enjoyed music, singing with his mom and grandparents as a child and learning to play the ukulele under the tutelage of his paternal grandfather (who Ray called “Gumpy”) at 8 years old.

“It’s the ultimate form of self-expression,” said Ray about music.

Ray moved on to guitar at age 12, when “Gumpy” showed him that guitar chords were quite similar to ukulele chords.

The Reverend Jesse Ray performs in Grand Haven (Courtesy, Jeff Brinn)

Ray went on to say that his mother accompanied him to bars in the evenings that same year so he could participate in open mic nights.

His music repertoire moved on to include playing trumpet in high school jazz band, marching band, and concert band. For his senior year of high school, however, Ray decided to join choir and play guitar in the jazz band instead.

“That was a riot,” said Ray. “I really liked trumpet, but I really wanted to keep singing.”

“I would do open mics as a senior three or four days a week, and then go sleep in my car during lunch period,” said Ray.

College brought experiences in street performance and an interest in rockabilly blues and roots music, leading Ray to start the high-energy band, Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, in 2013.

A life pivot

When asked if he pursued a degree in music, Jesse responded, “I was a music major for one whole day. The next day I skipped all of my classes, went to the counselor, and said no, we’re going to focus on history.”

Ray said that he felt unable to focus on what he wanted to do musically while being a music major. With a love of history as well, Ray pursued that interest during his college tenure instead.

“I really like American History,” said Ray. “I’ve been fascinated by it since I was a kid, how things got to be the way that they are. You can understand a lot if you look into the past.”

However, “I kept music as my love, my passion,” said Ray.

Lyrics and secrets

Ray said that a lot of his music stems from personal experiences, and that he tends to hide things in his song lyrics, some of them personal.

The Reverend Jesse Ray performs at outdoor venue in Grand Haven (Courtesy, Jeff Brinn)

“Some people get it, some people don’t,” said Ray. “Sometimes it’s a joke, and sometimes it’s something really deep and personal.”

Ray went on to say that music helped him process events and experiences in his life when he was younger.

“I write a song and put it out there, and then I feel a lot better when I walk away,” said Ray.

The Reverend: master of his own destiny

Always looking for new and creative musical opportunities, Jesse Ray brought forth The Reverend Jesse Ray, an Americana Rock N Roots experience.

But the moniker did not feel natural at first.

Coined “The Reverend” by a studio producer and then by band drummer Dingo, Ray said he didn’t care for the nickname. However, the nickname stuck as a way to set his music apart from other musicians bearing the name Jesse Ray.

“There were lots of Jesse Rays, but no Reverend Jesse Ray,” said Ray.

The Reverend Jesse Ray was born, and performs at venues all across Michigan.

Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish are also going strong with plans to release a new album Sept. 29th, and with at least 30 tour dates already in place across the United States.

To find out more about The Reverend Jesse Ray, visit: Facebook – The Reverend Jesse Ray and JRCC Band – The Reverend Jesse Ray.

To find out more about Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, visit: JRCC Band.

Wyoming summer concerts cancelled, eyeing something for the fall

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Due to COVID-19, the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission has announced that the city’s Concerts in the Park has been cancelled for 2020. (City of Wyoming)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission announced over the weekend that the 2020 Wyoming Concerts in the Park season has been cancelled. 

The cancelation is a result of COVID-19, according to the committee’s chairperson Renee Gardner, who made the announcement on the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.

“We work hard to bringing this event to our community each year, enjoying music and dancing with all of you,” Gardner posted. “As the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, we made this decision out of concern for the safety of our volunteers and loyal attendees.”

According to John Sinkevics, publisher of Local Spins, a West Michigan music website, concerns for many of outdoor venue organizers has centered around social distancing and keeping patrons safe. In a recent Eric Zane Show, Celebration! Cinema Vice President of Programming Ron Van Timmeren mentioned that when area theaters are allowed to open how social distancing will impact the venues has been a topic of discussion. Before the Stay Home, Stay Safe order went into effect on March 24, most local theaters were blocking out seats to help maintain social distancing. 

Patty Williams, who coordinates the annual Sounds of Summer at Cutlerville’s Cutler Park, which is in July, has confirmed that the four-concert series will be taking place. Also, the Lowell Chamber has confirmed its Lowell Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts will take place various evenings from July 2 – Aug. 29.

Gardner encouraged people to stay connected to the Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page as the commission is hoping to announce a possible concert for the fall.

“We will be meeting over the summer to plan something special,” she wrote, adding that the commission hopes its fans “stay safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you at our next concert.”

The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission is looking to fill vacancies on the planning of the annual Wyoming Concerts in the Park event. Volunteers are needed to help plan the 2021 season. Those interested may email WyomingCEC_info@Wyoimingmi.gov or message the group on Facebook. 

WKTV’s ‘From Your Couch’ concerts — working through work-from-home, Boardman Brown available on-demand

City of Wyoming, Community Health, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Reviews, WKTV Projects,
The heart of Boardman Brown: Robbie Koets, Shelagh Brown, Anna Joy Tucker and Brian Fraaza. (Supplied/Boardman Brown)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The members of Boardman Brown, a West Michigan band that lit a little musical bonfire at a Wyoming Concerts in the Park summer series gig last summer, are working their way through the COVID-19 restrictions just like everyone else — at home.

While more fortunate than some other local musicians struggling without the income from local gigs, Boardman Brown member’s day jobs are keeping most of them busy — if more than a little starved for human interaction — as they await the opportunity to get back in front of a crowd.

“It’s a bizarre time, that’s for sure,” Shelagh Brown said to WKTV. “Boardman Brown is a side gig for everyone in the band, so thankfully we are all able to manage. (Husband and musical partner) Robbie (Koets) has a full time job, and I have a couple part time jobs that we are both able to do from home. I’m incredibly thankful for the technology that we have that makes it possible.

“And, late summer, fall, I think I can speak for everyone in the band that we’ll be ready to get out there again, make more music, and see people in person.”

Until then, if you’re a fan or soon-to-be fan, WKTV caught up with Boardman Brown on in July 2019 as part of our coverage of the City of Wyoming’s summer concert series. And the Boardman Brown concert is on demand here as part of WKTV’s “From Your Couch” concert series.

Boardman Brown, on stage at a July 2019 Wyoming Concerts in the Park. (WKTV)

The country-rock-pop band features three lead singers, some great guitar play by Adam Newton and Brian Fraaza, and some great covers stretching from County-2000s hitmakers like Drake White (“Let it Ride”) to Pop-2000s hitmakers such as Adele (“Could Have Had it All”). In addition to Brown and Anna Joy Tucker supplying the female vocals, and keyboards, Fraaza brings the more “manly” vocals, with Koets on bass and Jeff Hale on drums.

From the live concert, I particularly liked the cover of Lord Huron’s “The Night We Met” featuring the harmonies of Brown, Tucker and Fraaza, and their version of the new-alt-something artists The New Respects’ lovely song “Trouble” — available both in the WKTV concert and an even better version on the band’s Facebook page.

And speaking of their Facebook page … When you go, defiantly make a stop at their version of the great (and recently late) John Prime’s classic “Angel From Montgomery”. Worth the visit all by itself.

Had to ask: What about that name?

“The band name?” Brown said. “We had previously written music together at a cabin up north, outside Traverse City, and the cabin is on the south branch of the Boardman River. After a bit of thinking and coming up with many names, Boardman Brown was the one that stuck!

In an intimate acoustic setting, Boardman Brown sings John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery”, one of the band’s Facebook videos. (Supplied/Boardman Brown)

“We had all played together at church in the worship band, and had been friends for long time through that. Throughout that time, I had a local country band (the Shelagh Brown Band) … Anna Tucker and Brian Fraaza also have a duo called Criminals of Eden. The band came together for the first time when the Shelagh Brown Band was competing in B93’s Battle to the Bash quite a few years ago. … After making it to the finals in the contest, we all agreed that this combination of musicians was something special.”

As far as getting through the current COVID-19 time of isolation, Brown is working  through it like everybody else but also sees it being a time of possible growth for herself and the band.

“We haven’t gotten to original music as Boardman Brown, yet. We’ve written together and separately for other projects. And have plans to write together as a band,” she said. “I believe that as we walk through this time apart, and look back from the other side of this, that we will have lots to talk about and write about.”

If your locking for more great “From Your Couch” concerts, WKTV has a bunch of recent concerts covered by WKTV Community Media and available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

Nu Blu, on national tour, brings vocal bluegrass to Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Local Entertainment, Reviews, Upcoming Events
Nu Blu, husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Carolyn Routh with their bandmates, will be making a stop at Lamar Park for Wyoming Concerts In The Park. (Supplied/The Band)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

As part of a busy summer touring schedule of the United States and Canada that includes several major bluegrass festival, but also a church or two and a pizza parlor, Nu Blu clearly believes in bringing new bluegrass to the people.

They also, it seems, believe in looking to the future, musically, while they pay respect to the past with their Americana/country sound.

Daniel and Carolyn Routh (Supplied/The Band)

Part of a long road trip, starting and ending at the band’s home in Siler City (that’s North Carolina, in case you’d like to know), husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Carolyn Routh, with their bandmates, will be making a stop at Lamar Park for Wyoming Concerts In The Park Tuesday, July 16.

“I love that we get to wake up someplace different every day,” Daniel Routh said in supplied material, about Nu Blu’s heavy road schedule. “We meet people from all over the country.”

In Wyoming, among the songs probably on the setlist at their local stop will be originals like “A Lot More Love” and “A Fool and Her Heart” — both off the band’s 2017 release “Vagabond” — as well as respectfully reworked covers of Country/Americana classics such as Waylon Jennings’ “Good Hearted Woman” and Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”.

They’ll likely play more off of “Vagabond”, but, to be honest, they had me at Dylan.

“We were playing this show and we just kinda decided we’d do ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.’,” Carolyn Routh said in supplied material. “We hadn’t rehearsed it; we hadn’t even played it together before. But we pulled it off that night, and the audience loved it.”

Above and beyond the musical skills of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Daniel, the banjo playing of Zach McCracke, and the fiddle/mandolin work of Justin Harrison, there is something special about Carolyn’s vocals (not to say she can’t handle a bass!).

Hearing “Knockin’ …” and “Good Hearted Woman” sung by a woman is both unique and memorable, and Carolyn’s sound on “A Lot More Love” and “A Fool and Her Heart” brings comparisons to a young Dolly Parton — a comparison I’d not argue with.

For a video of “A Lot More Love”, visit here.

All and all, “Vagabond” the band’s sixth full-length release “delivers a set of songs that range from the melancholy to the exuberant, and at every step they prove they’ve got a knack for finding their way into the deeper parts of you,” someone writes on the band’s website about the songs.

The band formed in 2003, centered around Carolyn and Daniel previous projects. Their constant traveling has also changed the way they make music.

“If anything, I feel like the road has made us a sunnier bunch. In past albums, we’ve tended to gravitate towards the songs that make you cry,” Carolyn said, “but on this one, there are a number of just happy, happy songs.”

Bottom line is two fold: Bluegrass is perfect for a hot summer night in Wyoming, and Nu Blu brings out the big guns with their bluegrass repertoire. And, while there are many great pickers in the genera these days, some say its the vocals that make great bluegrass, and led by Carolyn and Daniel, Nu Bu has the vocal chops as well.

As the Wyoming concert season winds down — with Boardman Brown on July 23, Daddyz Breakdown on July 30, and Shadows of the Night on Aug. 6 — WKTV will continue to cover the concerts and offer replays on our cable channels (see the cable channel schedule here) and WKTV On-demand.

So Nu Blu will be waiting, patiently, as they bring new bluegrass to the people.

Rockabilly and Honky Tonk: Delilah DeWylde returns to the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series

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Delilah DeWylde (Photo by Tyler Steimle)

By WKTV Staff

 

Delilah DeWylde brings her high-octane rockabilly sound to the next Wyoming Concerts Tuesday, June 12.

 

Starting at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW, DeWylde and her band the Lost Boys will take the stage. The performance is free.

 

A veteran of the West Michigan music scene and an alumna of rockability institution DangerVille, DeWylde has an out-sized stage presence that is the centerpiece of the show where as one minute she is singing sweetly and the next slapping her bass into submission.

 

Rounding out the group is Lee Harvey on electric guitar and Johnny HiWatt or F.B. on snare drum.

 

As part of the fun for this year’s Concerts in the Park, each night will have a theme. Those who participate in the theme will be eligible to enter a drawing for a gift card that will be given out at the end the concert. The June 12 theme is to decorate with flowers.

 

The Wyoming Concerts in the Park series are put together by the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission. The concerts are every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park through Aug. 7. The concerts are rebroadcast on WKTV Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.

WKTV Labor Day programming offers concerts all day long

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Music of all sorts came to the stage this summer as part of the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series. (City of Wyoming)

WKTV Staff

 

Tune in to WKTV Channel 25 on Labor Day, Sept. 4, for our all-day “Concerts In The Park” special.  We will air the entire Wyoming Concerts In The Park series, featuring the bands in order of their appearance. Relive all the fun and excitement of the summer series starting at 9:30 a.m. and running all day long.

 

The concert times and performers are as follows:

9:30 a.m.  — Detroit Circus

11 a.m. — Shelagh Brown Band

12:35 p.m . — Sweet J Band

1:55 p.m. — Brena Band

4 p.m. — Michatucky

5:30 p.m. — 6 Pack

7:15 p.m. — Toppermost

8:50 p.m. —  Union Guns

10:25 p.m. — Tejano Sound Band

 

For a complete list of programming, visit WKTV.org and hit the programming guide tab.

 

Where can you see The Verve Pipe for free? Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park

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When Brandon Simmons began working with the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series six years ago, he saw a lot of potential for growth.

 

“I was coming from Muskegon’s Summer Celebration and had worked on Milwaukee’s SummerFest, so I knew Wyoming had something that could really be built upon,” Simmons said.

 

This year, the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission not only booked a record number of bands, 14, but has pulled in several that have toured regionally and nationally. Headlining it all is West Michigan’s The Verve Pipe, kicking off the series May 31.

 

“This is The Verve Pipe’s only free show all year,” Simmons said.

 

The Verve Pipe formed in 1992 and is best known for the song “The Freshman,” which peeked at No. 5 in the Billboard Top 100, along with “Photograph” and “Colorful,” the ballad from the film “Rock Star” starring Mark Walhberg.

 

In addition to their success on radio, TV and film, sold-out concert dates throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia, features in Spin and Rolling Stone and videos on MTV and VH1, the band have made numerous television appearances, including “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and “Late Night With David Letterman.”

 

After an eight year hiatus, The Verve Pipe were approached to submit an original song for a compilation album of children’s music. That session inspired “A Family Album,” their critically acclaimed introduction to the world of children’s music, as well as their follow up release, “Are We There Yet?.” Both albums contain music intended for the entire family, with fun and inventive lyrics set to the memorable melodies the band is known for.

 

In 2014, The Verve Pipe released their first rock album in more than 13 years with “Overboard,” a collection of ten new songs including “Crash Landing,” “Hit and Run,” and the haunting title track “Overboard.”

 

The May 31 show will be a mixture of the band’s hit tunes and family friendly music since the concert is on “Kids First Day.” The concert is set for 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.

 

The Wyoming Concerts in the Park run every Tuesday through Aug. 2 and then wraps up with the Saturday event the Music & More Fest. Running from 4 – 11 p.m., the free event will feature a kid’s Home Run Derby, local food options, and a beer/wine/cider tent. Three bands will perform, headlined by the country-rock group Gunnar & The Grizzley Boys. The Grand Rapids Film Festival will show a movie at dusk on a giant inflatable screen to close out the event.

 

Simmons said another popular concert is June 28, which will be the 4th annual “WY-FI,” the official Wyoming fireworks event. “We are expecting about 10,000 people in attendance,” Simmons said. The concert features two bands, Trilogy and Grand Rapids high-energy rock band The Outer Vibe.

 

The rest of the concert line-up includes: rock and blues group Big Boss Blues June 7; rockabilly/honky tonk Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys June 14; country group Kari Lynch Band June 21; Kentwood Community Church’s Gospel Band July 5; indie rock and folk show The Legal Immigrants July 12; country rock group Jared Knox July 19; folk band The Crane Wives July 26; and Grupo Viento Aug. 2 for National Night Out.

 

Simmons said the local food truck Goodwill Blue Spoon will be on hand at the concerts. “This truck is a little different in that being part of Goodwill, it provides training and jobs to those in need,” he said, adding the series is excited to have the truck at this year’s event.

 

All concerts, unless noted, start at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park. All the concerts will air on WKTV 25 Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and again Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. For all details and up-to-date information, visit www.wyomingcec.org or www.facebook.com/wyomingcec.