Local Spins spotlights the SW Michigan band playing the Kalamazoo Blues Fest, plus debuts tracks by Billy Strings, Sosohifi, Funderbird, Grace Theisen and more. View the festival schedule.
‘Authentic Songs Rooted in the Blues’: The Resurrection Blues Band (Courtesy Photo)
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Over the years, Rodney Mills has worked as a welder in power plants, on offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, and, as of late, for the Michigan Department of Transportation where he’s done everything from trim trees to plow roads.
But in his heart, he’s never been anything but a musician.
As frontman for Stevensville’s Resurrection Blues Band since its formation in 2017, the guitarist, singer and songwriter has reveled in his diverse approach to the blues, drawing inspiration from “the roots of electric blues and Southern rock” as well as gospel, traditional Chicago blues and artists such as Steely Dan, The Meters, Neville Brothers and Tab Benoit.
“I’ve wanted to be a full-time musician for 50 years, so I’m working toward it,” he told Local Spins.
“I love all music and I’ve never been really a cover guy. I always wrote my own music and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do is play my own songs. So I never really learned other people’s music until I had to. Of course, we’ve got to do some playing in the clubs, but I play them how I play them.”
Starting out on piano as a kid, Mills quickly gravitated to the electric guitar after seeing KISS perform and he’s never looked back, while uncorking his own distinctive take on the blues.
“It can go from a ’50s style, maybe like the Detroit sound, to a New Orleans sound. I have some swampy Cajun style of Tab Benoit music and the Joe Bonamassa stuff and maybe Bad Company rock, blues, rock, stuff like that. It just depends on what I write, how I write, and who with, and what we decide is a good song for what we’re doing at the time.”
Fans will get a chance to embrace those stylings when the Resurrection Blues Band kicks off the Saturday lineup for the Kalamazoo Blues Fest at Old Dog Tavern on July 11.
On Stage: ‘Creating a genuine connection with the audience.’ (Courtesy Photo)
“The most rewarding part of performing live is creating a genuine connection with the audience,” Mills said. “There’s nothing quite like seeing people dancing, singing along, and becoming part of the show. We want every performance to leave people feeling like they experienced something memorable.”
The band – Mills on lead guitar and lead vocals, Frank Rotondo on bass and vocals, and Billy Canty on drums — will be sharing the stage that day with headliner and Texas blues star Carolyn Wonderland, as well as Wayne Baker Brooks, Mississippi Heat, Out of Favor Boys and Mandalyn & the Hunters.
The two-day festival hosted by the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association kicks off on Friday night, July 10, with JR Clark headlining a roster of bands that includes Asamu Johnson & The Associates of the Blues, Blue & The Ravens, Lisa Chilton Band and Blueback. (Scroll down for the full schedule.)
A weekend pass is $35 in advance ($45 day of show), available online here. Get more information about the festival at https://kvba.org/bluesfest.html.
MORE NEW MUSIC AND LIVE PERFORMANCES ON THE WAY
The Resurrection Blues Band unleashed its debut EP, “Genesis,” in 2025 and has since recorded more songs it hopes to release later this year.
“Our goal has always been to write authentic songs rooted in the blues while delivering them with the power and energy of a rock band,” Mills said. “Since the band’s formation, our songwriting has matured, becoming more focused on original material, stronger arrangements, and telling honest stories through our music.”
The band also plays the Rebel Road Motorcycle Rally in Muskegon that takes place during the Muskegon Bike Time festival, performing on July 16 (ahead of headliner Scotty Austin), South Haven’s Lake Arvesta Farms on Aug. 1 and at Paw Paw’s Warner Vineyards on Aug. 8 (opening for So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience).
Get more information about the band and its full schedule at theresurrectionbluesband.com.
This week’s edition of the Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase featured two tracks from the Resurrection Blues Band – “Happy Days” and “Sugar Daddy” – along with fresh music from several other Michigan artists: b.Lamrouex, Sosohifi, Funderbird, Grace Theisen, Audrey Mason, Billy Strings, Chirp, Lee Fayssoux and Sunken Melody. Listen to the full radio show podcast below.
The Michigan Music Showcase airs at 11 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays on WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org, and on Interlochen Public Radio at 7 p.m. Saturdays. Check out previous show podcasts online here.
PODCAST: Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase (7/3/26)
KALAMAZOO BLUES FEST 2026 SCHEDULE
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