Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles, with help from Michael Crittenden, will play a short opening set Tuesday when The Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express Tour hits Van Andel Arena.
Did you request ‘Stranglehold’? Ralston Bowles and Michael Crittenden will board the Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express.
Velvet Elvis meets Mr. Roboto meets the Motor City Madman?
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Ralston Bowles opening for Ted Nugent and Styx?
It may seem like an unlikely match, but local hero and renowned Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles has been booked to play an opening set before Tuesday night’s rock-fueled Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon and Styx concert at Van Andel Arena, part of the The Midwest Rock ‘n’ Roll Express Tour.
Bowles has asked Grand Rapids multi-instrumentalist and producer Michael Crittenden to join him on stage for the 20-minute set that will precede Styx, REO and the raucous, hard-rock, blazing-guitar assault of Nugent, perhaps best known for “Cat Scratch Fever,” “Stranglehold” and “Yank Me, Crank Me.”
Bowles, meanwhile, a tireless promoter of West Michigan’s acoustic music scene, is an Americana and folk troubadour whose songs have been covered by well-respected national artists over the years. He remains a popular fixture in the Grand Rapids area with tunes such as “Velvet Elvis,” “What About Me,” “Fragile” and “Son of Mine,” and he opened for Bob Dylan at the Rothbury festival a few years ago.
Great White Buffalo Hunter: Ted Nugent will be shredding more than venison on Tuesday at Van Andel Arena.
“I asked if I could do it with someone so I would not feel so all alone,” said Bowles, who was approached by concert promoter Live Nation Live to play a solo opening set. “So I felt good about bringing him (Crittenden) in on it.”
But if concertgoers want to catch Bowles and Crittenden on Tuesday, they better plan to arrive early: They’re slated to play at 6:40 p.m., 20 minutes before the scheduled 7 p.m. start time printed on tickets for the show.
So is Bowles worried about facing a rowdy, rock-starved crowd of thousands with his thoughtful, singer-songwriter material?
“I think Ted might be more worried than I am,” Bowles quipped.
Tickets to the show range from $15 to $99.50; get tickets and details online at the arena website and through Ticketmaster here. Tickets are still available for Tuesday’s concert.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
