Tag Archives: country

Mustang Band brings the country music for the final Wyoming Concerts in the Park

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The Mustang Band is set to close out the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series on Aug. 3. (Supplied)

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

In the 1990s, country music was changing to a more modern sound with such songs as “Achy Breaky Heart” leading the way. Coupled with the start of country station B-93 in Grand Rapids and local venues started looking for bands who could perform the new country style.

Already on the scene was Grand Rapids Mustang Band, which had been performing country classics since 1994.

“It was not difficult to change gears and move toward the modern sound,” said band founder Eric Vander Stel. From there, the Mustang Band carved out a niche in offering country music from the classics of Johnny Cash to the current artists such as Jason Alden.

“We play some rock ‘n’ roll,” Vander Stel said, “but mostly it is country, just about anything from now to the past.”

It will be mostly country music Tuesday, Aug. 3, as the Mustang Band wraps up the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series. The performance is at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.

Like many local bands, Mustang Band has been performing regulary since the start of summer when many of the COVID restrictions were relaxed.

“We are very responsive to our audience and people have just been very happy to have music,” Vander Stel said.

The band members, which are Wendy Allen on lead vocals, Steve Bouchard on bass, Stacy Hill on drums and Vander Stel on vocals and guitar, work hard to incorporate the audience in the show. Vander Stel mentioned at a recent show they had an audience member playing spoons with the group.

“With everything that has happened over the last summer, I think people are just making up and enjoying this summer,” Vander Stel said, adding the Mustang Band is happy to be part of the fun.

All of the Wyoming Concerts in Park are recorded by WKTV and rebroadcasted on Comcast Channel 25 at 5 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. 

The Bootstrap Boys don’t disappoint in third Sounds of Summer concert

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By Patty Williams
P. Williams Productions

  • The drum says it all
  • Lara Wiliams does a sound check
  • Lead singer Jason Stilson (Big Jake Bootstrap)
  • Jon Bruha on bass
  • Nick Alexander on lead guitar and vocals
  • Jeff Knol on drums for The Bootstrap Boys
  • Having a swingin’ good time
  • Jon Bruha on bass
  • Show producer Patty Williams records the shows
  • A volunteer helps with the show
  • Hanging out and listening to the music

Crowds continue to pack Cutler Park as the third Sounds of Summer concert series took place July 15 and featured country music with the Bootstrap Boys.

Line dancing and singing along with some old country favorites delighted the audience throughout the night.

Lead singer Jason Stilson (Big Jake Bootstrap) showcased many original songs along with the country classics. Round out the band was Nick Alexander lead guitar and vocals; Jeff Knol on drum and vocals; Jon Bruha on bass; and lead singer songwriter on rhythm guitar Jason Stilson.

The Bootstrap Boys put on a highly professional show and have been traveling the music scene nationwide. The group has several CDs available and a classic record album. To learn more about The Bootstrap Boys, visit the group’s Facebook page. 

There are two more Sounds of Summer concerts left. This Thursday, July 22, is the rock band Jaded 8. The July 29 grand finale will feature national headliner Audie Blyalock and Redline bluegrass. 

Sponsored by the Byron Township and a nested by P. Williams Productions, all the concerts are free. Concerts are at 7 p.m. at Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park Dr. SW.

For more information visit the Sounds of Summer Cutlerville Facebook page or call 616-818-9874.

Next in line in the Sounds of Summer concert series is Dusty Chaps

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Dusty Chaps performs July 23. (Dusty Chaps)

By Shallop Kimanzi
WKTV Intern

Dusty Chaps from Buffalo, New York will take over the Sounds of Summer Concert series this Thursday, July 23.

The concert will be held in Cutler Park, 6701 Cutler Park Dr. SW, just west of the Division Avenue and 68th Street intersection at 7 p.m. 

The band consists of four members: Dale Thomas on vocals and lead guitar, Tommy Davis on vocals and drums, Ron Williams on vocals and bass guitar, and Nelson Wood on the pedal steel guitar. 

They will fill the evenings atmosphere with  classic country tunes, Western swing, comedy, sing-a-longs and oldies tracks. 

The bands influencers include Bob Williams, Les Paul, The Ventures, Joe Maphis, Dwayne Eddy and many other artists and bands as listed on the group’s Facebook page.

Don’t miss a chance to be outdoors this summer while enjoying good music in one of the few outdoor activities still happening this summer. This concert series is sponsored by the Byron Township. The last performance in this series will be by LWND on July 30.

The organizers will be observing social distancing guidelines which include all individuals who can, wearing masks and social distancing between different groups of people. Remember, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s new executive order on mask wearing went into effect on July 13. 

Previous Sounds of Summer concerts will be airing on WKTV Channel 25 at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 p.m. Saturdays.

Thompson Square, Joy Williams coming to Calvin College in April

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Thompson Square comes to Calvin College April 5.

Calvin College hosts a series of shows throughout the year featuring national and international recording artists.

For April, the country duo Thompson Square makes at stop at the college’s Covenant Fine Arts Center, on Friday, April 5. The show, which will be acoustic, is at 8 p.m. with tickets $25.

The group is composed of husband-and-wife duo Keifer and Shawna Thompson. They are known for their number one hits “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” and “If I Didn’t Have You.” They have had multi-platinum international success and honors as vocal duo of the year from both the American Country Music and the Country Music Association awards. They recently released the album “Masterpiece,” with the title hit receiving positive reviews.

On April 13, Joy Williams will perform at 8 p.m at the college’s Covenant Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $20.

Joy Williams will perform on April 13.

Williams, who was born in Michigan, is one half of the folk rock duo Civil Wars. She has been working on a solo album and made her acting debut in 2016 in an episode of “Roadies.” She is also known for her recording of The Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” which was used for a State Farm commercial in 2017.

The Covenant Fine Arts Center is located on the Calvin College campus, 3201 Burton St. SE. To get tickets for either show, call 616-526-6282 or visit www.calvin.edu/boxoffice.