Top 10 hitmaker, folk music favorites highlight Fishstock Concert Series schedule

FISH CREEK - A Top 10 hitmaker of the 1970s headlines a roster of national and regional favorites in this year's recently announced Fishstock Concert Series, which opens July 3.

The 10-concert series is hosted by Fishstock promoter Steve Ellmann in a 100-year-old barn renovated to seat about 200 people inside along with 200 more outdoors, where live performances are digitally projected onto a 10-foot video screen. Both concert areas feature independent, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, creating a personal and rustic setting for performers and audiences alike.

"We've got a terrific lineup for our dates this year," Ellmann said in a press release. "This is a group of touring musicians that represents many of the best musicians on the current music scene, with the heavy emphasis on folk that our patrons have always enjoyed."

Perhaps the most notable name on the schedule this summer is John Ford Coley, who takes the stage Aug. 14. Coley is best known as half of the 1970s soft-rock duo England Dan and John Ford Coley, which scored Top 10s on the Billboard charts with "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" in 1976 (peaking at No. 2 for two weeks behind Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music"), "Nights Are Forever Without You" (1976), "We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again" (1978) and the Todd Rundgren-penned "Love Is the Answer" (1979).

Following the duo's breakup in 1980, Coley has recorded occasional albums and toured as a solo singer/songwriter, sometimes performing with other '70s and '80s hitmakers such as Ambrosia. He released a new album, "Sketches, Vol. 1," in December.

Opening the season July 3 is singer/songwriter Will Kruger, who cites folk and folk-pop legends like Peter, Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver and James Taylor among his influences. Kruger often plays a Folk Legends Tribute Show featuring the music of those influences, and his website lists his Fishstock show as a John Denver tribute.

Next on the schedule are Washington State-based folk/Americana artist Brittany Jean on July 10; hot jazz from Madison's Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble, July 17; Stas and Misha, the duo of Stas Venglevski on bayan and Misha Litvin on domra (Russian versions of the accordion and mandolin), July 24; Central Wisconsin band Handpicked Bluegrass, July 31; and literate Chicago folk trio Sons of the Never Wrong, a frequent and popular Door County performer, Aug. 7.

Closing the season are three shows featuring musicians who have been regulars over the years on the Fishstock stage: jazz vocalist Janet Planet on Aug. 21; award-winning Americana singer/songwriter Jimmy Davis, Aug. 28; and Memphis-based sting instrument wizard Eric Lewis & Friends, Sept. 4.

All concerts start at 7 p.m. Sundays in the Fishstock concert barn, 3127 County F at the intersection of Maple Grove Road, Fish Creek. Reserved seat tickets are on sale through the Door County Tickets website, and reserved and general admission seats can be purchased on concert nights at the Fishstock ticket booth (cash or check only). Reserved seating is $25, general admission is $20.

For more information, call 920-421-5555 or visit fishstockmusic.com or facebook.com/fishstockmusic.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Door County's Fishstock concerts bring Top 10 hitmaker, folk music