2022 KASLE FAMILY STAGE JURIED SHOWCASE WINNING ARTISTS
Motor City Josh & The Big 3 – 4:30pm
Motor City Josh & The Big 3 – 4:30pm
Born in Warren, MI to a musical family, Joshua Steven Ford was the eldest son of parents who were both preachers. As a youngster, Ford showed interest in the guitar and by the age of 19 he was earning a living as a full-time musician. HIs earliest heroes included legendary artists such as Howlin’ Wolf, Albert Collins, and Taj Mahal - all whose influences still ring in the echoes of Ford’s best work. An accomplished songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and renowned slide guitarist, Motor City Josh spent over 15 years (2000 - 2015) touring relentlessly throughout the 48 contiguous states. He and his bandmates logged hundreds of thousands of miles riding up and down the highways and byways of America. In the process, they amassed a loyal following throughout the south and all along the east coast - traveling from Key West, FL to Rockland, ME.
Lady Champagne – 5:15pm
Lady Champagne was born in Louisiana. The place where she first heard some down-home Blues. By age twelve she started performing in talent shows along with school glee club and church Choir. At age fourteen, her family left Louisiana and moved to the west side of Detroit where music became an important part of her education as well as a part of her life. In 2006 she performed on stage with some of the greatest blues artist from KoKo Taylor, Johnny Bassett, Alberta Adams, Blues man Chick Willis, writer of Mustang Sally Sir Mack Rice, Blues man Larry McCray, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Blues man Billy Davis, Legends of the Blues Jimmy Johnson and Jimmy Burns out of Chicago. Her band was chosen to open and warm the stage for the legendary Grammy Award winning Blues man Bobby Rush. And also, the Legend of the Blues concert featuring the late great Mr. Bobby Blue Bland, Theodis Earley, Clearance Carter and Latimore. In 2010, 2013 and 2014 she was nominated for Best Blues singer from the Detroit Black Music Awards Association. Late Nov 2012, lady Champagne was honor to receive the Happy to have the Blues award sponsor by Big City Blues Magazine. March 2014, she received a MVMA Midwest Video Music Award for best blues performance. 2019 she was honored to be the winner for Best outstanding blues artist from Detroit Music Award held at the Fillmore Theater. 2019 lady Champagne received an award officially Inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
2014 Detroit Blues Hall of Fame. 2018 Radio Host WHFR 89.3 Dearborn
2019 Officially Inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame
Luther “Badman” Keith Blues Band – 6pm
His vocals have been compared to Jimi Hendrix, his guitar style and energy to Luther Allison with a songwriting gift and sense of humor all his own. All this from a guy who didn’t pick up a guitar until he was past 30 years old and didn’t play his first professional gig until he was well into his 40s. “No, it wasn’t a midlife crisis thing,” Keith explains, “It just took me that long to figure out that playing the blues was part of what I was born to do. It just wasn’t part of my life plan when I started out. . The only thing I played when I was growing up was the radio and baseball. He became a convert and an apostle for the blues after attending a concert by the legendary Luther Allison and decided on the spot that he wanted to become a bluesman. “I was awful for a long time, but too stubborn to give up,” he said. “One day someone said I was starting to sound decent and I should put a band together and put out a CD.” The rest, as the cliché goes, is history. Luther and his Band, Luther Badman Keith Blues Band play all over Metro Detroit.
Carl Cabalerro & The Wreckage – 6:45pm
Carl Caballero and The Wreckage are a Detroit-area high-energy early rhythm and blues influenced roots-rock ensemble led by harmonica sensation Carl Caballero. Check out his latest album, The Wreckage, available on all streaming platforms. Carl Caballero and The Wreckage are:
* Carl Caballero – harmonica and lead vocals
* Chris Putt – rhythm and lead guitar and vocals
* Jake Segall – drums and percussion
* Mike Bertrand – bass guitar and vocals
Lolly Mariah & The LowKey Collective – 7:30pm
With the vocal sounds of a siren, Lolly Mariah incorporates Jazz, soulful harmonies, and fusions of electronic flair into her music. Lolly keeps a LowKey vibe, which is evident in her debut album “Siren”, and recent meditative EP Permission to Lollygag. With a growing music presence in both Detroit and New Orleans, Lolly Mariah plans to spread love and art worldwide via performances and cultural experiences using her platform, The LowKey Collective.
Steve Dely – 8:15pm
He got his first guitar at the age of eleven and hasn’t put it down since. Growing up in metro Detroit he emulated the sounds he heard on the radio, from the soulful grooves of Motown to the psychedelic sounds of classic rock. It didn’t take long before he was captivated by the blues and began working to master the art of the blues guitar. Taking what he could from the blues legends that came before him and combining it with the Motown and rock music he was raised on, Steve has forged his own brand of electric blues.
JURIED SHOWCASE WINNERS - ARCHIVES
Check back next year for more updates on our showcase submission portal and list of artists.
For artist questions, please email Ted Nagy at TedN@musichall.org
2018 FORD STAGE - SHOWCASE ARTISTS
Artists have been selected by a special showcase committee to pick the best of the best in Detroit talent. Artists spanning dance, theatre, music, and more will be located on two adjacent stages, and these are performances you don't want to miss.
Joe Jaber and The Last Divide - 2:00pm
Jaber’s deep, resonant voice is perfectly married to the hearty old-school country rock he throws down with ease. He is a classic songwriter, and his shows mix deep insights with beer-swigging good times. There is unmistakable maturity and depth in Joe’s vocals, lyrics and musicianship, evocative of his studio heroes.
Mack Avenue Dance Company - 2:35pm
MADC is a pre-professional student company of dancers age 14 and up. Company members’ work with experienced teachers and guest artists from around the world, exposing them to varied teaching and choreographic styles. MADC cultivates serious-minded dancers and equips them with the technique, strength, consistency, refinement, artistry, knowledge, and professionalism necessary to pursue a college education or career in dance.
Ballet Detroit - 3:10pm
The Ballet Detroit Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers a select group of exceptional ballet students the opportunity to receive a world-class Vaganova method classical ballet education, in the beautiful setting of the Detroit Opera House. Artistic Director and Ballet Master, Sergey Rayevskiy, brings together the highest quality instructors from around the world to attain the training, exposure and performances required to weave this remarkable ballet opportunity into the fabric of Detroit's rich artistic community.
Eisenhower Dance Detroit - 3:45pm
Eisenhower Dance Detroit has spent the past 26 years giving life to the repertoire of internationally known choreographers, as well as the highly acclaimed work of Founding Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower. This year, Eisenhower Dance begins a new chapter as Stephanie Pizzo assumes the role of Artistic Director of Eisenhower Dance. Established in metro Detroit by Eisenhower in 1991, the Company presents an annual subscription series and tours internationally.
Contexture Dance - 4:20pm
ConteXture Dance Detroit is a non-profit contemporary modern dance company based in Detroit. Its mission, as part of the burgeoning arts explosion in the city, is to explore and expand the urban dance identity of Detroit. Through advanced training and performance opportunities, ConteXture is developing a local corps of professional dancers in an effort to establish Detroit as a nationally recognized center of dance.
JunesFlow - 4:45pm
Upon the release of his newest single "Wake And Bake", emerging rap-artist JuneBug is on the fast track to adding to the major music success that Detroit has been contributing. His latest effort, produced by Mark Cooper, instantly puts the listener in a melodic, pure Hip-Hop zone that every "Head" can respect. As an unsigned, seasoned lyricist and song-writer, the rare elements of combining head-nodding lyrics with smooth, sharp delivery is what June knows best.
Carl B. Phillips - 5:30pm
Carl B. Phillips is a gospel-recording artist, songwriter and producer from Detroit, MI. Carl has performed live in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Nashville, Atlanta and Chicago. His television appearances include, TV-57 Atlanta Live, The Dorinda Show on TCT Network and Dr. Bobby Jones Presents on the Impact Network. Locally, Carl has performed in the Ferndale Front Porch Concert Series and he performed during the 2017 Michigan State Fair. Carl’s goal in life is to spread good news with uplifting music.
Steffanie Christi'an - 6:05pm
Whether in front of an audience of 10 or a crowd of 10,000, singer, songwriter, and performer Steffanie Christi’an commands the stage with an electrifying blend of grit and sensuality. Singing before she could speak, she bares her soul in her lyrics and awes listeners with her soaring vocals. She has performed with a variety of artists including MacArthur award winner Taylor Mac and hip-hop legend Talib Kweli, and has released four independent EP’s, and traveled the world rocking stages from Chicago to Australia.
MUNDOMETAL - 6:40pm
MundoMeTAL combines classical, world, and free jazz influences in a progressive, improvisational jazz-rock framework. They draw their inspiration from such diverse musical influences as Aaron Copland, Gustav Holst, and Igor Stravinsky of the Classical world, as well as such ethnic influences like "Moroccan Rocker" Hassan Hakmoun. You will hear Brazilian batucada, Free Jazz, Latin, Funk, and more.
Lufuki & Divine Providence - 7:15pm
Lu Fuki is the bandleader of Divine Providence based out of Detroit, MI. As a jazz collective, Divine Providence combines elements of classical, rock, and world music giving a unique sound. The collective focuses on connecting hearts through sound, as a means of facing challenges in an uncertain time, in order to promote solidarity, freedom, and social action.
Carolyn Striho - 7:50pm
Detroiter Carolyn Striho has a well-deserved reputation as a vibrant, dynamic performer, singer, musician and songwriter whose music makes you think. A frequent Detroit Music Award winner, Carolyn has received 11 Detroit Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award and Grammy 2018 Ballot Best Rock Album for “Afterthought.” Carolyn’s performed and recorded with Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, Iggy Pop, Tori Amos, Sinead O'Connor, The Ramones, Thornetta Davis, Grace Jones and more.
FORD STAGE SHOWCASE ARTIST ARCHIVE
2017 SHOWCASE ARTISTS
Hardcore Detroit - PuppetART Detroit - King Moore - Detroit children's Choir - Jennifer Harge - Sumkali - Sphinx - Ted Nagy - Dan Tillery - Detroit Public Theater - Shakespeare in Detroit
