The first ever MI Fest’11 took place on Saturday September 17th. The Michigan Music Festival was an Outdoor Music and Camping Festival on the grounds of Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI. The day turned out to be a very nice day for the cruise from Ann Arbor to the georgeous Irish Hills area where MIS sits on 14 hundred acres. MIS is used primarily for NASCAR Events and has nearly 9 thousand campsites which accommodate any kind of camping from a tent to a motor home.
The Singing artist lineup for this first MI Fest’11 was a unique mixture of the old, not so old and new singers and songwriters which included national touring acts and Michigan Based Artists.
The star studded lineup graced two stages, with the music starting at 12:30PM and continuing until 11:00PM. The main stage featured Ben Daniels Band, Mitch Ryder, Wendy Starland, Jeff Daniels, Mark Farner, The Romantics, Ronnie Dunn, Sheryl Crow and the Raconteurs. The Grandee stage featured Shockwave, Thornbills, Black Milk, PUJOL, Black Belles, Jeff the Brotherhood, Ty Stone and closing out were the Rockets.
Jeff Daniels performed his Tiger Fan Blues, on the day after the Detroit Tigers clinched their division. Click here to see the video.
Mitch Ryder formerly of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, a long time Michigan favorite, has been entertaining for over 50 years. His autobiography will be released in the USA in December along with his new CD, called The Promise. Mitch is also working on a Musical that is due out in the summer. He still calls South Lyon, Michigan home. When asked if there was any one performance or concert that stood out in his mind he stated “that is why he wrote his autobiography, many moments stand out, some life changing”. Click here to watch the interview.
Mark Farner, one of the original founders, lead singer, lead guitarist and songwriter of Grand Funk Railroad played an energizing set. When asked if there was one event or performance that stood out in his mind, he recalled a concert at Shea Stadium in New York in 1971 as one of the most memorable events in his career. Click here to watch the interview. To this date, Grand Funk Railroad played to the largest crowd in Shea Stadium history.
MI Fest’11 was a success, selling 10,000 paid tickets. The MIS facility sits vacant a large percent of the time. This concert was a good use of the facility.
Remember, it's all about the ride. Ride safe!
Comments