Sawyer Fredericks gives May Erlewine’s ‘Shine On’ gleaming treatment on ‘The Voice’

Erlewine joins Joshua Davis as Michigan’s second Earthwork Music singer-songwriter spotlighted by the NBC show, with Fredericks getting special permission to perform the artist’s tune. (Story, video)

 

UPDATE:  By late Tuesday morning, Sawyer Fredericks’ rendition of May Erlewine’s “Shine On” had soared to No. 4 on the overall iTunes singles chart and No. 1 on the rock chart, an impressive showing. Joshua Davis’ “In My Life” was at No. 17 overall and No. 3 on the rock chart. Scroll down for “Shine On” videos.

Joshua Davis and NBC’s “The Voice” have given northern Michigan’s music scene – and the Earthwork Music Collective in particular – a hefty dose of national exposure the past couple of months, and now Traverse City-area singer-songwriter May Erlewine has added to that notoriety.

Sawyer Fredericks, who joined Davis among the Top 6 finalists in the popular television singing competition, selected and performed one of Erlewine’s signature tunes, “Shine On,” Monday night as part of this week’s live performance segment.

As it turns out, the young upstate New York singer’s mother is a big fan of Erlewine, embracing the uplifting tune that Erlewine wrote in 2004 and which first appeared on a duo album with husband Seth Bernard.

Erlewine, a longtime friend of Davis who’s frequently performed with him on stage, said she was honored and touched by Sawyer’s choice of the song, having heard early on that the young singer already was familiar with her music. The performing rights organization BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) contacted her last week to make licensing arrangements for the song.

“I was honored, but assumed it would be highly unlikely that the producers would ever allow an independent artist’s song on the show,” she said. “My first reaction, honestly, was feeling a little concerned about how this would impact Josh’s journey on the show and how our community would feel about this very interesting coincidence. After communicating with Josh and his wife, Ann, and hearing their genuine excitement, I was able to relax into feeling excited about it.

“Once I heard the story of what the song means to Sawyer and his family, and how hard he had to work to be allowed to sing it, I was so touched and it all made perfect sense. I am so honored to be a part of changing the idea that the pop music industry has about what the people want or need to hear.”

Both Davis and Erlewine are part of Michigan’s Earthwork Music Collective, which represents and helps promote dozens of rootsy artists. It was founded by Bernard. The couple lives outside Traverse City with their young daughter, Iris.

Erlewine long ago established herself as one Michigan’s brightest folk stars in live performances and in solo recordings, duo projects with Bernard and guest appearances on other Earthwork artists’ CDs.

As part of the show’s Mother’s Day theme, Fredericks selected the tune in tribute to his mother, noting that it was a song from his childhood. “I’ve always loved it and it means a lot to my mother,” he said during the show’s taped segment.

His mother, meanwhile, said the song “really connected with us” during a dark period for the family, and she was seen in the audience with tears in her eyes as he unleashed a truly moving rendition of the tune.

It also clearly resonated with fans and viewers: Fredericks’ touching version of “Shine On” soared up the iTunes singles chart immediately after Monday’s show and by noon Tuesday was at No. 4 overall (and No. 1 on the rock chart), ahead of Meghan Linsey’s “Amazing Grace” at No. 8 and Joshua Davis’ “In My Life” at No. 22. (Fredericks’ “Take Me to the River” — which also has a Michigan connection as a hit for Al Green who grew up in Grand Rapids — was at No. 13.)

For Erlewine, “Shine On” has special meaning, written more than 10 years ago when she was feeling “very discouraged and concerned about the state of the world.” But an uplifting conversation with Joe Short of Short’s Brewing one day inspired her to pen the tune.

“That night, the song came through me as a gift from the universe, to help keep us afloat, to have something to sing through the darker times,” she recalled. “So, we sang it for our people and they sang along.”

She added that she’s been impressed by Fredericks’ performances and passion all along. “The thing that really strikes me is Sawyer’s ability to encapsulate so much feeling in his voice. It moves you,” she said, “He is participating in a wonderful tradition of singer-songwriters and I’m excited to see what unfolds as he continues his musical journey.”

‘AMAZING MOMENT OF SERENDIPITY’ FOR DAVIS

In commercials promoting the Top 6 performances, Davis has been touted as “The Family Man,” while Fredericks has been tagged as “The Farm Boy.”

In a prepared statement, Davis called it “an amazing moment of serendipity” when he found out that Fredericks was a fan of Erlewine and “Shine On.”

“I was excited to encourage Sawyer to pursue this song choice and am so proud of ‘The Voice’ for choosing to support independent songwriters,” he said. “I am also thrilled that such a beautiful and important song will be reaching a greater audience. Watching this all unfold has been one of the best parts of my experience on ‘The Voice.’”

Of course, Erlewine also remains proud of Michigan’s contributions to the music world and, in particular, Davis’ impressive display on “The Voice.” During Monday’s live performance segment, Davis sang U2’s “Desire” and The Beatles’ “In My Life.” The results of fan voting will be revealed Tuesday night, when viewers will learn who moves on in the competition.

“Joshua Davis is woven into the fabric of our community,” Erlewine said, adding that she hopes fans will now discover his original music, too. “His influence on the music scene here is so broad and so immersed that it would be hard to share all of the artists he has impacted. We treasure him. … ‘The Voice’ gives us new reason to share how much we celebrate him.”

It’s highly unusual for an independent artist’s song to be performed on the NBC show, and Erlewine finds it gratifying that David and Fredericks have helped showcase “music with meaning. In this way, I feel very honored and excited that my song can be part of that thread.”

Bernard also has been a strong supporter of Davis’ run on “The Voice” and noted the extra boost for Earthwork Music from “Shine On” just further cements the Great Lakes State as a hotbed for music.

“Deep roots make for strong branches and Earthwork is extremely grateful to be firmly planted in the Michigan soil,” Bernard said of the collective which does everything from bolster local artists to support small Michigan farms to promote social justice and environmental protection.

Earthwork Music has re-released the original version of “Shine On,” with new artwork and an accompanying single, “The Turning,” available online at Earthwork Music here. Erlewine’s latest full-length album, “Where We Are,” was released in 2014.

She’ll perform in Traverse City on Mother’s Day, playing at an event to benefit Friends of Michigan Midwives at 4 p.m. Sunday at The Grand Traverse Circuit, 225 W. 14th St. Lake Effect, Kat Eldred and Trevor Hobbs of Breathe Owl Breathe also will perform.

On May 17, she’ll perform with Bernard and the Cadillac Symphony Orchestra, which will play versions of their songs arranged by Leon Williams.

Erlewine plays a solo show at Fennville’s Salt of the Earth on May 27, with the Seth & May duo playing Grand Rapids’ Local First Street Party in downtown Grand Rapids on June 6.

VIDEO: Sawyer Fredericks, “The Voice”

VIDEO: May Erlewine & Daisy May, “Shine On”

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