Since ending his nationally syndicated comic strip in 2008 to focus on his lifelong musical aspirations, singer/songwriter Roy Schneider has already shared stages with such respected artists as Sam Bush, The Indigo Girls, Shawn Mullins, Matthew Sweet, The Steeldrivers, Stevie Coyle, Rodney Crowell, John Oates and Fred Eaglesmith. In May 2010 he released his well-received 3rd album, ‘Erleichda’ (er-LIKE-da)  to include  ‘Angels Along the Road,’ an autobiographical song that took him to the prestigious Grassy Hill New Folk competition at the 2009 Kerrville Folk Festival.

“While the world is littered with people toting acoustic guitars and second-hand Hallmark card verses masquerading as insights, Schneider is a cut above the hoardes… Sometimes he sounds like he’s auditioning for Little Feat (he’d get in, too), sometimes he’s light and jazzy and sometimes he’s a proper acoustic rocker. All the time he’s interesting, with the changes of pace keeping the listener on their toes, not least in wondering how he manages to be good at it all.”
James Soars, ‘Maverick’ Magazine (UK)

After a decade honing his skills in local haunts and the occasional festival or songwriting competition, Roy began touring extensively in 2008 and now plays all over the US and beyond, often backed by Kim Mayfield on piano and vocals. In the summer of 2010, the duo completed a successful 2-month coast-to-coast tour of the United States. September brought a 3-week tour of Britain which included a string of successful concerts and several BBC radio spots.

Memarie (pronounced “memory”) has been singing since she learned how to talk and knew early on that music was the soundtrack by which she would live her life. The ardent music fan soaked in all types of music which eventually led her to discover and polish a style that would become all her own. Her parents entered the budding performer into numerous talent shows and festivals, and she was playing in their band by the time she was eight years old! Memarie remembers, “From the first time they let me sing on stage with their band, I was hooked! I knew in that moment that the stage was where I felt the most myself. I was home.”

It would be impossible to name every artist who has ever influenced Memarie, as they range anywhere from Loretta Lynn to Tom Petty – and just about everything in between. Memarie admits, “My musical taste is all over the board. I love almost every genre of music.” Her distinctively compelling blues-tinged rootsie voice is a direct effect from having grown up to the sounds of artists like Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Cash, The Judds, Trisha Yearwood, Melissa Ethridge, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Patty Griffin and Sheryl Crow.

Memarie penned her first song when she was just ten years old and soon learned that putting emotions onto paper served well as effective therapy sessions. “It has always been easier to express my emotions through writing songs. It’s kind of crazy how I can write a song about something so close to my heart but telling someone face to face how I feel is so excruciatingly painful.” She quickly took to mastering the guitar, taking occasional pointers from her father. “He would show me a chord here and there and I would work on it

Having already decided she wanted to be a singer early on, it was the movie Coal Miner’s Daughter that set really the gears into motion for Memarie to realize her dreams! “I watched that movie so many times during my childhood years! It had a huge effect on me! I related to Loretta Lynn so much because I came from a small town and from a family that was not exactly blessed with financial abundance. It really motivated me and made my dreams seem within reach.” Memarie had the privilege of meeting Loretta in person several years ago backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. Loretta’s gracious demeanor is something that continues to resonate with Memarie. “I was working for Make-A-Wish Foundation and had brought a young girl to see her. Loretta was so sweet and spent lots of time talking to her before she went on stage. It was great to know she was exactly the nice person I knew she would be. She was very down to earth, which is how every artist should remain no matter how much success you gain.”

Determined to pursue music full-time, Memarie followed her heart all the way to Nashville to record her debut album. The album included two R&R Top 40 singles and a #1 Christian Country hit. Another song, “I Know You By Heart,” was included in an episode of the MTV television show, “Made.”

Over the past two years Memarie has continued on her musical journey releasing an EP which took her around the country performing numerous shows. The deeply personal project provided a much-needed outlet for Memarie to deal with the emotions that came with recent tumultuous times. She divulges, “When I wrote these songs, I was going through major changes in my life. It was in a whirlwind of change like I have never experienced before, and these songs are all over the board emotionally. These are all songs I wrote or co-wrote within a 4-month period, and they really represent where I was at that time in my life. Recently Memarie also appeared on the CMT hit show, “Can You Duet”, beating out thousands of musical hopefuls making her way as a finalist.

Today, Memarie is working on a brand new record that is set to be finished in September. Memarie has wrote all the music for her upcoming CD  and was also fully involved with her producer in arranging and bringing her vision to life in the studio. The legendary Tom Lord-Alge, working with artist such as Dave Matthews, Sarah McLachlan, Avril Levign, Faith Hill and many more is mixing the project. It is important to her that none of the music’s integrity is lost. “I did not worry about trying to fit into any one particular genre in writing for this record. I let the songs breath and go where they needed to go creatively. I am trying to be more vulnerable with myself and my music which has been very fulfilling and freeing. There is a piece of me in every song. For this reason alone my new CD has an honesty like never before, allowing the music to cross genre barriers. I am so excited to share this project with everyone.

* Memarie works with several charities including St. Jude, YWCA and Musician’s on Call.

While watching the performance of a guitar player on the Merv Griffin show, I was enthralled at the sounds coming from the sunburst, archtopped, “F” holed guitar of the entertainer. Not just the notes, but the rythmic thumb thumps and accents that he used to drive the music forward. I knew that I had to play guitar.

Over the next few months I saved my money (a very limited commodity in those days) and purchased a “Holiday/Harmony” Arch top guitar from the Sears catalog. Upon its arrival imagine my diappointment when it just didn’t “thump” like that other guy’s guitar did!

Not to be discouraged I pestered my mother for guitar lessons. On a weekly basis she took $5.00 for an hour guitar lesson from her limited funds and drove me an hour one way to take lessons. Today she remains my biggest fan (aren’t Moms great?), even though my guitar thumping hasn’t improved one little bit.

I’ve been around the block a few times. I began playing in bars right out of High School in 1973. In 1975 I finshed 2nd to Jim Perkins (a local Detroit favorite) in a single entertainer competition. Jim won a guitar…I won …well 2nd! Although my ego at the time struggled with it, Jim should have won. He was better than I was. Congratulations Jim (ok….so I’m a little late with it). I’ve spent time with my music in front of audiences in the Detroit metropolitan area as well as Missouri, Kansas and California.

In 1976 I passed on an opportunity to join “The New Christy Minstrels”. It seemed like a rational decision at the time to pursue a real job that would have some long term benefits (like a retirement). I don’t regret the decision one bit. I’m back now doing what I love full time. I’m making music.

I’ve been fortunate in my life. Read what some nice comments from various folks have been………..

“Bob’s voice continues to resonate with a mesmerizing quality and his guitar work is sublime.” Grasslake Folk Festival

“…Bob Marshall, whose rich baritone voice and sensitive interpertations are sure to move you.” SLUM City Coffeehouse

“The words that Bob sings are from the heart and the guitar playing is honest enough to lay bare the soul.” Live From the Livingroom

“Bob Marshall’s rich baritone voice and sublime guitar work will make your day. This cowboy, singer/songwriter will make you laugh and warm your heart…. visit with Bob and listen to his great originals, paradies and covers…he does it all!” Ellen Doster, Motor City Sidestrokers

Tim Pepper

So where do I start? We love to perform music. We have absolutely had a great time playing all over Michigan and into Ohio and Indiana. We strive to bring a high-level of professionalism and versitality to all of our gigs. We want to help people discover a fresh and new sound in music. We bring a unique and original sound by blending Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar with the Trumpet and many percussion insturments that help to give a greater expression of our music and creative art. We are just a couple of blue-collar workers who love to play music. Though we dont really do this for any personal gain or recognition, we just love playing music. We find that myspace is a great information touchpoint as well as live gigs are to connect people with our creative art. Our plan is to encourage and inspire people as we perform our music in many settings.

Her melodic and versatile convergence of folk, acoustic and indie originality provide the texture for a collection of lyrical stories about the unfolding of the human heart, and the courage it takes to reclaim lost, neglected or dormant parts of ourselves in pursuit of completion.

Lyn’s first album “Energy Dance” was released in 2007.  Tom Saunders, host of Folk-it, A3radio.com, says that Lyn “is, by turns, sensitive, knowing and compelling, and Energy Dance is delivered with forceful delicacy–just like Lyn herself.”  Ten of its 15 original songs have received radio play.

She has been called “an exciting new troubadour whose original lyrics reflect her heartfelt emotions toward spirit and change”  She was a 2006 “Best of Open Stage” performer at the Ark, and Michael Shelata, Ark Open Stage Emcee, has called her a “songwriter who always sings the truth.”  Look for Lyn’s newest release, “Never Broken” which was released earlier this year.

Former music teacher Tom Timlin singing the music of the 50’s, 60’s. Perfect for the Classic Cars night. Bring your Blue Suede Shoes, Greasy Hair, Buffants, or Beatle Wigs (I need the extra hair), Bell Bottoms and your voice to sing along …Get Ready to Rock and Roll, the original way! [Okay, you might have to explain to the kids what all this stuff is and why you are dressed funny]

Born in Port Huron, MI, Jen spent her childhood years in the nearby town of Marysville, where she lived until 1999 when she moved to Lansing to attend Michigan State University. Jen quickly infiltrated the capital city’s music scene via the area open mics and blues jams. It was at one of these jams that she picked up her first gig as front woman for a blues-rock band called Murdawg and the Lowdown, Dirty Strays. During her stint with Murdawg she learned about an opening at world-renowned music store Elderly Instruments. Jen was hired and worked at the music shop for three years-attributing her ecclectic mix of tunes to her time there. At Elderly Jen honed her acoustic guitar skills while also learning how to frail banjos, strum ukuleles and pick dobros.

Jen now has three albums under her belt with her latest So Long Pollyanna to be released on Earthwork Music in May ‘09. Her last release Leaving Marshall St. was nominated for a Detroit Music Award for BEST ACOUSTIC/FOLK ALBUM in 2007 and made it to 9 on the independent roots music charts that year. The album also landed on a number of ‘Best of’ lists as well. Now, besides regionally touring and playing shows, Jen can also be found hosting the popular weekly open mic at Dagwood Tavern in Lansing. She has been host of the thriving scene for almost five years.

Jen is also in a band called Stella! with Jo Serrapere. Conceived by Serrapere (former member of Uncle Earl and award-winning songwriter), Stella! began working on a new album this spring in Brooklyn, NY under the supervision/patronage of Dave Marsh (Michigan native, co-founder of Creem Magazine and celebrated rock critic). The album is being produced by Adam Druckman with assistance from Larry Eagle (percussionist and background vocalist on Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions album) and primarily features the songwriting of both Jen and Jo. Stella! appeared live on Dave Marsh’s Sirius/XM show ‘Kick Out the Jams’ in April ’09. So Long Pollyanna was also spun during the show.

The Potter’s Field’s original compositions cover a variety of topics and styles while holding fast to their Midwest roots. The duo’s cover song choices display a wide variety of tastes and influences such as Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, Johnny and June, The Black Crowes, Brandi Carlile, Over the Rhine and more. Audiences leave shows entertained and uplifted, thoughtful and hopeful.