Tickets on sale for June 13-15 music fest in Delton, with dozens of regional acts: Drew Nelson, Steppin’ In It, Edye Evans, Rachael Davis, Rick Chyme, Ralston Bowles, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, more.
Wheatland Faves: The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band will headline this year’s Buttermilk Jamboree. (Photo/Anna Sink)
By John Sinkevics
LocalSpins.com
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The Buttermilk Jamboree is stepping up yet again.
Nicholas James and the Bandwagon performing at the 2013 Buttermilk Jamboree. (Photo/Local Spins)
After last year snagging a national act for the first time – rootsy, world music-hued rock band Rusted Root – the growing outdoor festival held in June at Delton’s Circle Pines Center between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo has landed a few high-profile gems for 2014: country-blues powerhouse The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, folk-pop icon Dar Williams and Maryland alt-folk duo Emma’s Revolution, plus a rare festival appearance by Michigan’s own Steppin’ In It.
“We chose to book Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band based on the overwhelmingly positive response to their performance last year at Wheatland,” said Rachel Zegerius, program director at Circle Pines Center. “Our goal for this year is to make each day of the festival stand out as a special experience in and of itself.”
The family-oriented festival being held June 13-15 boasts more than 30 acts in its weekend lineup, including local and regional favorites such as Drew Nelson, Edye Evans Hyde, Fauxgrass, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Ralston Bowles, Rick Chyme, Rachael Davis, Rootstand, Tony LaJoye Trio, Conklin Ceili Band and many more.
Dar Williams
Early-bird tickets are now on sale: Adult admission for the weekend is $60 until April 15, when the price goes up to $70. The price at the gate this year will be $80. There will be no single day tickets sold this year for Friday and Saturday; Sunday-only tickets are $30. As always, children 4-15 are $5. Get tickets, information and full list of bands online at the Buttermilk website here.
Friday will kick things off “with lively, well-known Michigan artists,” Zegerius said, while Saturday’s slate will feature “an eclectic mix of folk, jazz and blues artists” and a special collaboration paying tribute to American blues/folk legend Big Bill Broonzy, who was actually on staff at Circle Pines Center in the 1950s.
“Sunday, we hope to draw many people from the local community who want to just come for the day rather than the whole weekend experience,” said Zegerius, with sets by Nelson, Chuy Negrete, Emma’s Revolution and Williams embracing the center’s mission of teaching peace, social justice, environmental stewardship and cooperation.
Last year’s well-organized festival drew about 2,000 people (twice the turnout of the previous year) to the picturesque Circle Pines Center property in Barry County.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
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