‘Sacred musical magic’ of Wheatland to unfold for 42nd time with Joshua Davis, Dervish, Bill Kirchen, Savoy Family and more this weekend

The folk fest boasts international roots music stars, plus top-notch Michigan acts Davis, Lindsay Lou and Gifts or Creatures. Check out the 2015 lineup and playlist of songs by featured Wheatland artists.

 

SCROLL DOWN FOR SCHEDULE, PLUS A WHEATLAND BANDS PLAYLIST

Over the past four decades, internationally revered names in roots and traditional music – John Hammond, Tim O’Brien, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Guy Clark, Bela Fleck, Gillian Welch – have turned Wheatland into the quintessential folk festival, one that’s earned universal respect.

But make no mistake: Acclaimed Michigan musicians also have contributed mightily to the long-running festival’s stellar reputation.

“There’s no doubt that the Michigan music community has continued to expand its reach throughout the state and Midwest in recent years,” noted Lansing’s Brandon Foote, half of the Americana duo Gifts or Creatures, which plays Wheatland for the first time this weekend. “The caliber and quality of Michigan music is really at a special place right now.”

And countless Michigan musicians have grown up with the Wheatland Music Festival, inspired by its vibe and reveling in the traditional folk and roots music that the homey, family-oriented event showcases on a 160-acre slice of rural splendor near Remus.

Take Traverse City’s Joshua Davis, who considers his appearance at the 42nd annual festival this weekend a true highlight of a milestone year — this after the singer-songwriter finished third on NBC’s “The Voice” and followed that with a series of high-profile, headlining concerts.

“There’s something magical about this festival,” insisted Davis, who plays Wheatland’s main stage at 10:30 p.m. Friday and 3:50 p.m. Sunday, and co-hosts a songwriting workshop on Saturday with Peter Mulvey.

“One of the things I love most about it is its loyalty toward traditional music. It is a folk festival and highlights artists that are rooted in American musical traditions. It’s got a great vibe, wonderful for families, great time of year, incredible music. I’ve seen some of my favorite shows ever at Wheatland.”

(Unfamiliar with some of the “incredible” acts at Wheatland 2015? Listen to the Local Spins Playlist of 16 songs by featured Wheatland artists below.)

Like many of the region’s musicians, Davis has attended the “granddaddy of Michigan folk festivals” for many years, learning from internationally renowned artists along the way. Now, he’s “passing the torch” to the next generation of players.

“I’ve seen some incredible acts over the years and the culture has indeed shaped me as a human and musician,” said Foote, who attended his first Wheatland as a teen in 1996. “It’s such a unique, inspiring community with a deep understanding of the cultural importance and timelessness of music.”

With a goal of preserving and presenting “traditional music and arts,” the three-day festival hosted by the Wheatland Music Organization this year boasts sets by Davis, Dervish, Bill Kirchen, The McCrary Sisters, The Fairfield Four, Balsam Range, Foghorn Stringband, Savoy Family, Blind Boy Paxton and a host of other roots music acts from across the globe. About 10,000 people, many of them returnees, are expected attend the festival, which kicks off on main stages at 6 p.m. Friday and runs through 6:45 p.m. Sunday.

CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS, REGIONAL STARS AND MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION

Last year, the festival even generated an international media buzz when British actor Tom Hiddleston, known for his role as Loki in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films, showed up to perform a Hank Williams song and later joined acclaimed Texas singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell on stage.

But Wheatland also is known for spotlighting local and regional artists, with groups such as Michigan’s up-and-coming bluegrass powerhouse Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys joining Davis and Gifts or Creatures this year in playing the two biggest stages.

“Wheatland is one of the most exciting festivals we could be booked at in Michigan and the beyond,” said Flatbellys mandolinist Joshua Rilko, whose band first played Wheatland in 2012. “Many people who have watched us play since the band started will be there, so it is especially fulfilling to be able to perform with our current ensemble for the folks who have watched us evolve.”

Even if he wasn’t performing, Rilko insisted he’d want to be there anyway. He attended four Wheatlands before the Flatbellys ever played the festival. “The musical magic I have experienced there is sacred,” he said.

Part of that experience lies in the multitude of workshops which give attendees the opportunity to learn fiddle, ukulele, mandolin, dulcimer, drum and guitar techniques as well as get songwriting and folk dancing tips – not to mention taking part in the never-ending, “pickin’ and grinnin’ ” campfire jams that sprout up everywhere.

“When I started playing mandolin, the accessibility of jams and (playing with) older and more experienced musicians was what gave me confidence to play with others,” said Rilko, who hosts a mandolin workshop on Saturday afternoon. “I’m hoping to jam with a good number of my friends and learn new songs and licks. The music that happens off the stage at a festival should be abundant, and is just as much a part of the experience as the music on the stage.”

Davis said getting the opportunity as a musician in his early 20s “to sit down with some of my heroes and learn a bit” at Wheatland has inspired him to do the same thing by “working with kids and adults and making sure unfiltered music doesn’t die in this pasteurized world.”

Weekend tickets for adults cost $85 in advance, with discounts for seniors and children. Tickets at the gate – if any are still available – are $125, payable in cash. Sunday-only tickets are $25 at the gate. Get more information, directions to the Mecosta County festival site and other details online at wheatlandmusic.org. (The main entrance is on Pierce Road west of M-66).

Thursday is the last day that tickets can be ordered by phone, at 989-967-8561.

Check out a roundup of Wheatland 2014, along with some video highlights, at Local Spins here.

WHEATLAND 2015: THE LOCAL SPINS GUEST PLAYLIST (By Anna Sink)

THE SCHEDULE

Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC