Wheatland set for return as Michigan music festival ‘holy grail’

REMUS — Veteran West Michigan singer-songwriter Drew Nelson knows well the wonders of Wheatland.

Having attended countless editions of the renowned mid-Michigan music festival over the years — and getting a chance to play the event this year with his band for the first time in nearly a decade — Nelson has even used a fond Wheatland incident as inspiration for one of his songs.

“I was lucky enough to write my song, ‘True and Fine’ at Wheatland,” recalled Nelson, who lives east of Grand Rapids.

“In the musicians’ campground there is a streetlight on a pole on a dirt two-track. I watched in the early morning glow, a group of musicians in a circle with a bigger circle of spectators surrounding them. They started playing a waltz and couples spun out into the street dancing. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. That’s where that song came from.”

Indeed, some of the most magical moments at this much-beloved folk and roots music festival that commemorates its 49th anniversary outside Remus this weekend — 90 miles northeast of Holland — take place off-stage around campfires and at late-night jam sessions.

Many cite the traditional Sunday morning gospel hour as a can’t-miss gem and that even includes Nelson, who’s a Buddhist.

“My absolute favorite every year is getting to be a part of the Gospel Sing on Sunday mornings. That’s a funny thing for a Buddhist, but it’s the music I grew up with and it is still so close in my heart,” he says.

“Wheatland for me is like a family gathering. Some of the best parts of the festival happen backstage for sure.”

But make no mistake, the festival rolling out Friday-Sunday, Sept. 9-11, for the first time since 2019 — due to the COVID pandemic — also boasts the usual ultra-talented internationally acclaimed stars, from the Cajun-propelled Racines to fiddler Eileen Ivers and bluegrass powerhouse Blue Highway to bluesman Joe Louis Walker.

As usual, the lineup also includes plenty more Michigan acts, including the aforementioned Nelson and Hwy. 2 (who play the Centennial Stage at 11 p.m. Friday), Hawks & Owls, Djangophonique, Via Mardot, Annie and Rod Capps, Jive at Five, Blue Water Ramblers and Kyle Rasche, Samantha Cooper, Kaitlin Rose and Mike Ward.

Other well-known regional performers on the Schafer Song Stage include northern Michigan favorites Seth Bernard, Frank Youngman and Robin Lee Berry, along with several other singer-songwriters.

For first-time performer Kait Rose of Kalamazoo, it’s literally a dream come true.

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“Performing there in-person is on my bucket list. I’m thrilled. I’ll be playing solo, songs from the new album, maybe with a special guest or two,” she said. “Wheatland has always been on a pedestal, a holy grail. I’ve always aspired to be considered as a worthy participant, since I was 15.”

Another young, up-and-coming performer Olivia Mainville — a Holland native now based in Ferndale who heads up Via Mardot — said she first attended Wheatland as a teenager and it changed her life.

“Wheatland was my first music festival and it was a shock to see how accepting and kind everyone was,” she recalled. “Wheatland made me feel accepted (and) really boosted my teenage confidence and it stuck with me.”

That doesn’t surprise Wheatland performer and veteran attendee Bruce Ling, of the Grand Rapids-based traditional folk group Hawks and Owls String Band, who noted the sponsoring Wheatland Music Organization is dedicated to exposing younger audiences to the joys of traditional music.

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“What stands out for me is the powerful sense of community that is evident at Wheatland, more so than many others. The music, internationally traditional, has a lot to do with that,” he said.

“I love that there is something for every age. There’s Kids’ Hill with kids’ performers, activities, their own very cool stage, an open-mic for kids, all sorts of things to stimulate those creative young minds. Middle Ground is for teenagers: a way to engage your creative side in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. These teenagers have their own stage for open-mics and performances, and so much more.”

The organization also utilizes the Elyce Fishman Scholarship Fund to support talented younger musicians with lesson funding if they’re interested in learning about traditional American Music, fiddle tunes, old songs and traditional folk music.

View the lineup, schedules and more detail online at wheatlandmusic.org. Although online ticket sales for the festival have ended, you can call the office at 989-967-8879 or 989-967-8561 to inquire about ticket availability.

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Wheatland set for return as Michigan music festival ‘holy grail’