Mayfly Festival announces Hunter Brucks and steel drum band to play
Dundee’s annual Mayfly Music Festival will be held on Saturday, June 16 at Wolverine Park behind the Old Mill on Toledo Street. Free live music will be held from noon to 11 p.m. Headliner this year is Ty Herndon, a national country recording star.
Just announced and also performing this year will be Hunter Brucks Band, a popular local group, headed by Hunter Brucks; and the internationally famous, Grammy Award-winning Trinidad Tripoli Steel Drum Band.
Hunter Brucks Band
Brucks makes country music that is cutting edge and reflects his love of rock ‘n roll. He is a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. In Nashville, he turned down his initial record deal.
“They wanted me to put on the cowboy hat and an image of someone that I was not. Being from Detroit, I am as influenced by Bob Seger as I am Hank Williams,” said Brucks.
Brucks grew up on a Michigan farm, and also worked as truck driver while performing music. His newest release is called “Workin’ Man,” that promises to be a successful crossover hit.
Brucks has toured around the country and as far away as Japan, opening for major rock ‘n roll acts. The band also includes world-class musicians Paul Raab, drummer and vocalist; Brian Lord, guitarist and vocalist; and John Abraham, bassist and songwriter.
Together, the group weaves the diverse yet complimentary influences of the Motown Sound, Southern Rock and Country.
Trinidad Tripoli Steel Drum Band
The Trinidad Tripoli Steel Drum Band won a Grammy Award in 1972. The group, which travels the world, is based in Ypsilanti. It is a family group including Richard, Emile, Brian, Carlton, Bianca, Charlotte and Reno Borde, led by maestro Hugh Borde.
The group has given two command performances for the Queen of England, and command performances for President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton.
From Port-of-Spain, Trinidad to a world tour, this amazing group plays a repertoire of music that ranges from classical to rock ‘n roll, on oil drums. This feat has astounded audiences not only because of its oil drums, but because of the unbelievable fidelity and artistic accomplishments they render with each concert or dance number. The Calypso and Reggae numbers are in a lively class by themselves.
Born from the desperate days following World War II when it was not possible to get instruments or money, the natives of Trindad discovered that abandoned oil drums could be used for musical tunes. Thus began the original band— of which this band is the present day outgrowth— into an organization that has played such pockets of sophistication as Rockefeller Plaza,, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center in New York City; Royal Albert Hall in London; the Hollywood Bowl and more.
Founder Hugh Borde is a recipient of a medal of merit in gold from President Ronald Reagan for steel band development; winner of a national award in his native land, Trinidad, for his development in the field of steel band music; was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the annual Caribbean Sunshine Awards, and was one of the founders of the Steelband Movement in 1950. He also has been voted into the Hall of Fame at the Motown Detroit Metro Music Awards.
Mayfly Festival Plans
The Mayfly Music Festival will feature more than music in its second year. There will be plenty of food, games for the kids offered by the Old Mill Museum Association as well as some commercial amusements.
One of this year’s biggest fundraisers will be a raffle of a pick-up truck. The winner will have a choice of a loaded Ford F-150 from Spirit Ford in Dundee or a loaded S-10 pickup extended cab from Phillips Automotive Group in Milan or $5,000 cash. Additional winners will be drawn for a $1,500 golf table from Lezlie’s Hearth and Home in Dundee; a $450 camping package from Cabela’s, a $400 golf set from The Legacy in Blissfield; an airplane ride from Monroe Aviation; and a night in a jacuzzi suite from Country Inn and Suites, Dundee.
Raffle tickets will be $5 each and will be available from all Dundee Area Business Association members as well as local retailers. Raffle tickets will also be sold on several weekends at Cabela’s in Dundee.
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