The up-and-coming, jazz-fueled Grand Rapids band outpolled more than 50 other Michigan acts performing Saturday while music lovers strolled outdoor venues in the lakeshore town. The story and photos.

Walking the Beat: Fans turned out to stroll in the sunshine Saturday and vote for their favorite bands. (Photo/Jeff Brinn)
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Pocket Watch, a six-piece jazz fusion band from Grand Rapids, took home the top prize at Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat festival and band competition on Saturday, outpolling more than 50 other regional acts performing at dozens of venues on the lakeshore community’s East Side.
Another Grand Rapids band — the bluesy and funky rock outfit the Nathan Walker Trio — took second place based on voting by fans who strolled from venue to venue along the Beechtree Street corridor amid sunshine and gorgeous skies.
Both bands will receive recording time at a West Michigan studio — either Grand Haven’s Third Coast Recording Co. or Muskegon’s Starlight Room.

Pocket Watch: The grand prize winner. (Photo/Jeff Brinn)
“We had been saving money from when we perform live, putting it away for a recording session for our debut album,” said Tommy Pancy, who plays keyboard and saxophone for Pocket Watch.
“But we held off for a little bit until after Walk the Beat, because we felt we had a chance. Well, we’re going to do it now.”
Walker was elated for both himself and for his good friend, Pancy. “Their talent: They are incredible! Their only ceiling is Mars,” Walker said of Pocket Watch, adding that the friend had even talked beforehand that it would “be crazy if we went 1 and 2” at Walk the Beat.
After recently releasing an EP, Walker said he’s excited to work toward a new full-length album.
“I don’t care if only my mom listens to it,” he said. “A lot of people get wrapped up in the numbers. The best part is, I did it for me.”
The annual and unusual Walk the Beat festival invited attendees to freely “walk the beat” to 28 different locations, each boasting a pair of Michigan-based musical acts to enjoy over the course of the afternoon. Fans voted for their favorite performers via text.

Thrilled To Be Part of It: Second-place winner Nathan Walker and band. (Photo/Matt Marn)
“It’s cool, because it’s an opportunity to showcase different musical acts from all over,” said John Martin, a longtime Grand Haven resident and returning Walk the Beat attendee. “You don’t see that very often.”
It all ended with musicians, volunteers and festivalgoers attending a standing-room-only gathering at the outdoor patio of The Unicorn Tavern to re-live the highlights of the day while Walk the Beat president announced the winners of the band competition as well as the winning number in the event’s $5,000 raffle.
Walker said he’s just glad he took part in Walk the Beat for the first time.
“It is awesome, the talent here. Everyone’s friendly, everyone collaborates,” he said. “I will definitely be back to support the event, whether I play or not.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Walk the Beat – Grand Haven
Photos by Jeff Brinn and Matt Marn
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