Wheatland Music Festival

Wheatland Music Festival
Wheatland Music Festival
Genre	Traditional arts and music
Date(s)	Second weekend in September
Frequency	Annual
Location(s)	Remus, Michigan
Inaugurated	1974
Website	Wheatlandmusic.org; Facebook page

The Wheatland Music Festival is a music and arts festival organized by the Wheatland Music Organization, a non-profit organization specializing in the preservation and presentation of traditional arts and music.^[1] Community outreach services include programming for Senior facilities and schools across mid-Michigan, year-round instrument lessons, scholarship programs, Jamborees, Traditional Dances, and Wheatscouts - a free program educating children through music, dance, storytelling, crafts and nature. Each year, the organization holds its annual Traditional Arts Weekend the weekend of Memorial Day, and its annual festival during the second weekend in September in Remus, Michigan.

^[2] The first Wheatland Music Festival was held August 24, 1974.

History

In the early seventies a small group of Mt. Pleasant Food Co-Op (now the GreenTree Cooperative Grocery) members and local musicians were staging free concerts and benefits around the Big Rapids and Mt. Pleasant, MI areas. Common sites were city parks and public halls. Proceeds enabled the food co-op to pay rent and utilities. Meanwhile, founders of the Wheatland Music Organization were organizing about two conerts a month during the summer.

The First Wheatland Bluegrass Festival was held as a benefit for the Mt. Pleasant Food Co-Op, August 24, 1974. It was a one-day event held on the Rhode family farm, located four miles east of Remus on M-20. June Rhodes' utility room became festival headquarters, her backyard was the backstage area, and her sister-in-law's yard across the road was the parking lot. The flatbed trailers were in place along with the first-aid tent, a sound system, and a hotdog stand.

Several hundred people attended the First Wheatland Festival. Perhaps the single most important attendee was the local postmaster. Before the first festival was even over he had already offered the use of his farm for the next year. The one improvement he could offer was a hayfield instead of corn stubble and dirt. All in all he knew just what the festival idea needed.

Who was that postmaster? And why would he want hundreds of strangers sleeping across his 160-acre backyard? What would his wife have to say about this? Mark and Gladys Wernette were contemplating taking a big step towards an uncertain future. But like their parents, Mecosta County's Alsatian pioneers, Mark and Gladys were committed to what they thought was their civic responsibility and offered to lend a hand.

By 1975 Wheatland was born. Elections were held and the board of directors was established. Many of the first directors are still active in the organization. This can be attributed to their faith in each other, their commitment to community service, and passion for preserving and presenting traditional music and arts.^[3]

Timeline

1970s

^[4] 1974

1st Wheatland Music Festival (one-day event on Aug 24th)

1975

Board of Directors Established (May 13)
Articles of Incorporation filed as "Wheatland Music Organization" (May 29)
Festival moved to Wernette Farm

1976

Wheatland Music Festival becomes a 2-day event
Information tent was born: rented from the Beal City Knights of Colombus

1977

Wheatland Bylaws are ratified/amended
Non-Profit Status is awarded
1st Wheatlan Music Festival album is produced
1st WMO Reunion is held at Central Michigan University

1978

1st "Main Stage" is built

1979

"Our Front Porch" radio show is developed
Costabella Cloggers make 1st appearance at Wheatland Music Festival
Public Transportation 1st used at Wheatland Music Festival

1980s

1980

Day-long textile arts workshops held at Wheatland in March
6 Albums are now on Wheatland's Record Label
1st Grant was received to host a Community Education Program in October

1981

1st WMO Newsletter is established

1982

WMO purchases their 1st computer
WCMU Begins taping the music festival

1983 Land purchase: WMO puts $100 down on Gunnison Property

WMO Sponsors 1st Music Conference
WMO Begins Old Time Country dances in Mt. Pleasant

1984

"Our Front Porch" radio show is offeered to National Public Radio
Land Contract signed to purchase 20 acres from Mark and Gladys Wernette

1985

Wheatland Cabin is built
Kids Hill Playhouse is built

1986

More work done at Kids Hill: 5 picnic tables built along with a wood framed swing and fenced in area for sheep

1987

A recycling program is introduced at Wheatland
Wheatscouts program for children begins at Wheatland
WMO monthly Jamboreed begin at Wheatland

1988

"Third Stage" Dance Pavilion is built
WMO added "Inc." to its name
WMO Logo Trademarked/Patented
Teen Dance at the Festival is established

1989

Elyce Fishman Scholarship established
1st Wheatland Dance Camp is held over Memorial Day Weekend (May 26–28)
WMO collaborates with MSU to produce "Michigan In Song" Michigan performers cassettes
WMO Presented with "Ambassador's Award" by Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce

1990s

1990

140 Acres purchased from Mark and Gladys Wernette
WMO Board develops revised mission statement, bylaws and organizational goals
WMO Copyright registration process begins
The Gladys Wernette Classroom Building is built

1991

Kitchen Building is built
Wheatland Memberships begin
Mark and Gladys Wernette celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary

1992

Information Building is built
Electricity became available at all work stations and lighting is added to the campgrounds
Orientation Workshops begin for campground volunteers
"Peace Train" added to Kids Hill

1998

Original "Main Stage" is moved to Kids Hill
The structure now known as "Main Stage" is built

2000s

2001

The Hospitatlity Building known as the "Post Office" is built in honor of Mark Wernette

Performers By Year

2010s

^[5] 2013

Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn
La Bottine Souriante
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
The Duhks
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Billy Strings & Don Julin
Carry it on... Dance Project
The Revelers
The Boxcars
Run Boy Run
The Waymores
Henrie Brothers
Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers
The Appleseed Collective
Bennett
Steppin’ In It
The Palooka Brothers
Michigan Songwriters: Rachael Davis, Kitty Donohoe, Michelle Chenard

2012

Eric Bibb Stringband
Hoots & Hellmouth
Cedric Watson & Bijou
De Temps Antan
Ruthie Foster
Hogwire Stringband
Gibson Brothers
Deke Dickerson
Paul Thorn
Good Foot Dance Ensemble
Drew Nelson and Highway 2
The Crane Wives
Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys
Black Jake and The Carnies
Planet D Nonet

2011

The Freight Hoppers
Abigail Washburn & the Village
Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry
Los Texmaniacs
Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band
Rhythmic Circus
The Starlight Six
Ray Bonneville
Wayne “The Train” Hancock & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
An Dro
Black Jake and The Carnies
Blue Water Ramblers
Jessie Nieves & Nic Gareiss: Life After Limerick
Shades of Grey
The Laws
Old Foresters
Red Sea Pedestrians
Michigan Songwriters: J. Oscar Bittinger, Karisa Wilson, Kirby & Susan Harrison

2010

Dave Allen & the Guilty Women
Joel Mabus Trio
Big Medicine
BeauSoleil
Rory Block
Laura Cortese
Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys
The Hotmud Family
Genticorum
Nic Gareiss & Friends
The Paschall Brothers
Slide Ireland
Jeff & Vida
The Cornfed Girls
Ralston Bowles
Open Range
Davis vs. Davis
The Red Sea Pedestrians
Seth and May
The Wild Turkeys
Starlight 6
Steppin’ In It
Michigan Songwriters: Jill Jack, Barbara Jordan, John Latini, Josh Rose

2000s

2009

Crooked Still
The SteelDrivers
Aubrey Ghent Band
Red Stick Ramblers
Ruthie Foster
Rhythm in Shoes
Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys
The Radiators
The Deadly Gentlemen
De Temps Antan
The Wilders
Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz
Sam Amidon
Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group
Bruce Olsky and Big Hoedown
Detour
Drew Nelson
Michigan Songwriters: Dave Boutette, Robin Lee Berry, Michael Camp, Dan Hazlett

2008

Crooked Still
David "Honeyboy" Edwards
The Pine Leaf Boys
The Freight Hoppers
The Tarbox Ramblers
The Ragbirds
Dale Watson
Cheryl Wheeler
The Cherryholmes Family
The Chicken Chokers
Tim Graves & Cherokee
The Refugees
Sole Impact
Slide
Bichini Biz Congo Dance Theater Co.
Michael Smith
The Jeremy Kittell Band
Lost World String Band
Nic Gareiss & Friends
Madcat, Kane, Schrock & Shimmin
Curly Miller and Carole Anne Rose and the Old 78′s
The Rhythm Billies
Michigan Songwriters: Jen Cass, Jen Sygit, John Lamb, Michael Camp

2007

Eric Bibb
Uncle Earl
Aubrey Ghent
The Duhks
The Gimbles
GiveWay
The Lost Bayou Ramblers
Orpheus Supertones
Seth Bernard & Daisy May Erlewine
Mountain Heart
Earthworks Music
The Tarbox Ramblers
Rusty Blaides
Rhythm in Shoes
Tom Russell
Like Water Drum & Dance
Detour
The Great Lakes Ceili Band
The Milroys
The Schrock Brothers
Floyd King and the Bushwhackers
Michigan Songwriters: Drew Nelson, Rawlston Bowles, Jen Sygit, Jen Cass

2006

Seth Bernard and Daisy May
Ira Bernstein and Riley Baugus
The Biddies
Calvin Cooke
Detour
The Duhks
Foghorn Stringband
Freshwater
Grada
Green Grass Cloggers
Whit Hill and The Postcards
Hurry The Jug
Jay and Molly and Their Family Band
Jive At Five
Randy Kohrs and The Lites
Lafayette Rhythm Devils
Los Bandits
Pat Madden
Mamadou Diabate Ensemble
Michigan Songwriters in the Round
Mountain Town Moonshiners
Tim O'Brien
Sally Potter
The Ragbirds
Rootstand

2005

Charivari
Hillbilly Idol
Robert Jones
King Wilkie
Laurie Lewis
Maria Muldaur and Her Red Hot Bluesiana Band
Pierce Pettis
Red Stick Ramblers
Rhythm In Shoes
The Rockinghams
Steppin' In It
Le Vent du Nord
The Wilders

2004

Campbell Brothers
Footworks
Whit Hill and The Postcards
King Wilkie
Louisiana Red
The Mammals
Mollie O'Brien and Jive At Five
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Darrell Scott
Solas
Dale Watson and His Lone Stars
The Wilders
Robin and Linda Williams and their Fine Group

2003

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Charivari
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Donna the Buffalo
Door Nails
Grasshoppah
Josh Graves and Kenny Baker
Jive At Five
The Mammals
Tim O'Brien
Ramble Shoe
Red Clay Ramblers
Rhythm In Shoes
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Dick Siegel
Chris Smither
Rodney Sutton
Blake Travis
Vishten

2002

Aztec
Eric Bibb
Norman and Nancy Blake
Clayfoot Strutters
Geno Delafose
Rachael Davis
Johnny Gimble and the Hot Club of Cowtown
Buddy and Julie Miller
Millish
Melvin Mosley and The Spirit of Memphis
Mountain Heart
Rhythm In Shoes
April Verch

2001

Balfa Toujours
Barachois
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Blue Highway
Calvin Cooke Sacred Steel Ensemble
Chief O'Neill's House Band
Guy Clark
Stacey Earle
Footworks
John Hammond, Jr.
Ill-Mo Boys
Tom, Brad, and Alice
The Whites

2000

Howard Armstrong Trio
Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers
Ira Bernstein and Company
Blue Highway
Blues Swingersv
Guy Davis
Fat City String Band
Hillbilly Idol
Lynn Morris Band
Tim O'Brien and The Crossing
Los Pleneros de la 21
Claudia Schmidt
Tongue and Groove
Volo Bogtrotters

1990s

1999

Los Bandits
Barton and Sweeney
Blues Swingers
Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers
Cephas and Wiggins
Guy clark
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Footworks
Freight Hoppers
Hillbilly Idol
Improbabillies
Patty Larkin
Claire Lynch

1998

Ira Bernstein
Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers
Continental Divide
Critton Hollow String Band
De Dannan
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Iowa Rose
Jive At Five
Joel Mabus
Tim and Mollie O'Brien with Jerry Douglas
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Rhythm In Shoes
Sally Rogers
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Samite
Robin and Linda Williams and their Fine Group

1997

Bone Tones
Continental Divide
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Footworks
Freight Hoppers
Johnny Gimble
Jive At Five
Los Bandits
Larry Penn
Rhythm Rats
Paul Rishell and Anne Raines
Schryer Triplets
Solas
Rosalie Sorrels
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

1996

Mac Benford and His Woodshed Allstars
Benoit Bourque and Gaston Bernard
Ira Bernstein
Bing Brothers
Burns Sisters
Johnny Gimble and Texas Swing
Laurie Lewis and Grant Street
Raisin Pickers and Crows Feet
Red Mules
Rhythm In Shoes
Peter Rowan and Jerry Douglas
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Dick Siegel
Pop Wagner and Glenn Ohrlin

1995

Amaryllis
Critton Hollow String Band
Del McCoury Band
Footworks
Jive At Five
Si Kahn
Los Bandits
Kate MacKenzie
Tim and Mollie O'Brien and the O'Boys
Open House
Raisin Pickers
Renegades
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Samite
Second Opinion

1994

Kitty Donohoe
Gospel Warriors
Indian Creek Delta Boys
Jive At Five
John Hartford
Kapelye
Lonesome River Band
Poodles
Rhythm In Shoes
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin
Thundering Cannonballs
Claude "Fiddler" Williams

1993

Ira Bernstein
Bone Tones
Critton Hollow String Band>
Dry Branch Fire Squad >
Feltliners
Fiddle Puppets with Rodney Sutton
Heartbeats
Lonesome River Band
Joel Mabus
Peter Ostroushko and Dean Magraw
Utah Phillips
Red Mule String Band
Peter Madcat Ruth and Shari Kane
Reunited Gospel Echoes
Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt
Trian
Volo Bogtrotters
Robin and Linda Williams with Jim Watson and Kevin Maul