Joshua Davis moves on to Final Four on ‘The Voice’; sheds brighter spotlight on Michigan roots acts

Traverse City’s Joshua Davis was saved on Tuesday, after a week in which he also sparked more national attention for West Michigan’s burgeoning music scene. See who else is on the verge of a breakout.

 

Traverse City singer-songwriter Joshua Davis’ success on “The Voice” has brought deserved national attention to Michigan’s folk and Americana scene.

Now, he’s brought some deserved national attention to Traverse City itself – and his exuberant hometown fans – after NBC camera crews descended on the resort town to capture his brief return to the community that’s supported his impressive run on the reality TV show and singing competition.

Those fans were rewarded with video snippets from that hometown celebration and concert with members of his band, Steppin’ In It, during Monday night’s edition of “The Voice,” when Davis also once again impressed judges with his live performances of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and The Band’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”

Singer and coach Christina Aguilera may have put it best: “You did a fantastic job.”

He also impressed the viewing audience, as voters on Tuesday night sent him to the next round – the final four as it were – on “The Voice,” making the 37-year-old Earthwork Music artist’s remarkable run on the show even more remarkable.  Sawyer Fredericks, Meghan Linsey and Koryn Hawthorne will join Davis for next week’s competition. Davis and teenager Fredericks performed a duet of “Drift Away,” the sweet tune made famous by Dobie Gray and Uncle Kracker.

For those who’ve long followed the region’s diverse collection of roots music artists, Davis’ success come not so much as a surprise but rather validation of West Michigan’s bonanza of musical talent which already boasts established national acts such as Greensky Bluegrass.

“Collaboration and cooperation are the pillars of our scene. The musical community’s role in creating and supporting our vibrant local culture here is truly something special,” said Seth Bernard, a Williamsburg singer-songwriter who founded the Earthwork Music collective.

“There are too many exciting artists to mention. More all the time. Seriously. I could sit here and name 100 artists that I love that are active in Michigan right now.”

Still, it begs the question as to what other emerging artists have potential to make a splash nationally amid the resurgence of interest in folk, Americana, bluegrass and folk-rock. Here are just a few to keep an eye on and many already are making names for themselves beyond the Great Lakes State.

The Accidentals – Pretty much everyone who sees this eclectic Traverse City-based folk and gypsy swing band of 19- and 20-year-olds – including critics and music industry pros – raves about their youthful energy, multi-instrumental talent and on-stage charm. They so impressed folks at the massive South By Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas, earlier this year that Billboard magazine named them one of its seven favorite breakout acts (out of more than 2,000). While congenial and down-to-earth, they’re serious about their future, having signed a contract to churn out four albums in New York City with award-winning producer Stewart Lerman and Marshall Crenshaw. They play the Bus Benefit presented by Buses by the Beach at Camp Blodgett in West Olive on May 22-23.

Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys – As well traveled as any band, Michigan-bred Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys have taken their own spin on bluegrass and vintage folk to every corner of the United States and across Europe. Currently in California, the four-piece band’s latest Earthwork Music album, “Ionia,” has earned rave reviews for bridging the past with Americana’s future. Singer-guitarist Lindsay Lou and mandolinist Joshua Rilko also are part of the Time & Luck duo which plays Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake on June 25.

The Crane Wives – Seems like this Grand Rapids folk-rock band fronted by two female singer-guitarists has long been on the cusp of a national breakout. But 2015 shapes up as a true banner year for The Crane Wives, who announced last week that they plan to release not one, but two full-length albums from their most recent Kalamazoo recording sessions, with guest appearances by The Accidentals and Bernard. And they plan to mount yet another ambitious tour in a bid to “help bring national attention to our new albums,” says bassist Ben Zito, who also says the new recording features “the best music we’ve made.” They play SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids on May 27.

Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers – Signed to a national label, Universal Music Group’s Bad Mascot Records, the Lansing area’s Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers melds its rootsy, folk-hued foundation with a funky, pop-driven and groove-oriented approach that’s made the music popular with festival audiences. They play the massive Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois later this month and Blissfest near Cross Village on July 10 so expect their audience to grow.

Billy Strings & Don Julin – Touring nationally and hitting pretty much every renowned bluegrass festival this year, this Traverse City duo pairing a young guitar phenom with a seasoned mandolinist (plus standup bassist Kevin Gills) boasts an uncommon chemistry and jaw-dropping musicianship. It’s already earned them a tour with legendary bluegrass icons Del McCoury and David Grisman and accolades from major roots music publications. Yet they still play regular gigs at modest venues around Traverse City. They play Rockford Brewing in Rockford on Friday night and Oddside Ales’ five-year anniversary celebration in Grand Haven on June 6.

The Go Rounds – Frontman Graham Parsons describes the Kalamazoo group’s refashioned music as “high-energy twang-rock” and “alternative psychedelic rock ’n’ soul,” but it still retains an endearing folk-grounded, alt-country vibe. Now playing and recording as a four-piece band, the group – currently touring Mexico – aims to release a full-length album this year amid festival appearances from Ann Arbor to New York. They play Park Theatre in Holland on June 13.

Seth & May – It’s hard to ignore Bernard and May Erlewine either as a couple or as solo artists because of the contributions they’ve made in leading the Earthwork Music collective and nurturing its collaborative spirit – and because they’re uniquely talented writers and musicians in their own right. Bernard calls Davis “a hero and an inspiration” and Erlewine got national attention through “The Voice” earlier this month when contestant Sawyer Fredericks chose to perform her song “Shine On,” with his rendition topping all other performances in sales on iTunes. Whether these young parents restrict their touring to the Great Lakes State and remain behind the scenes as architects of Michigan’s folk resurgence remains to be seen, but their recorded output – more than 20 albums between them – already has found favor with a national audience. The duo plays with the Cadillac Symphony Orchestra in Cadillac at 3 p.m. Sunday; Erlewine plays Salt of the Earth in Fennville on May 27.

VIDEO: Joshua Davis, “I Can’t Make You Love Me”

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