Join us to catch Singers in the Round: Kalamazoo February Tour featuring Judy Banker, Billy Blanchard, Erin Monroe, and Clem Turner!
*TICKETS ARE LIMITED!*
Doors open 7:30 and performances start at 8pm.
Meet the Artists:
Judy Banker: Described as “…one of the brightest stars on the acoustic music scene by PULP online and “a monster singer-songwriter” by SEMIBluegrass, Judy Banker is known for her hook-driven songs with intensively personal, evocative lyrics, and her singular, expressive voice. Judy combines her compelling lyrics with traditional country instruments – acoustic guitar, dobro, pedal steel, banjo – and weaves them with a dirty, gritty buzz and spacey vibe of an electric guitar, lap steel, and keyboards. She brings her sound to solo and Judy Banker Band performances at clubs, festivals, and concert halls like The Ark, Johnny’s Speakeasy, Farmington Civic Theater, Mama's Coffeehouse, Michigan Theatre of Jackson, Trinity House Theatre, Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Nor East’r Music Festival, Harvest Gathering, Detroit Arts, Beats, & Eats, Holler Fest, and the Rosalie Sorrels Music Festival in Boise, Idaho.
Billy Blanchard is an original songwriter with a unique sound of finger-style and folk guitar. Offering songs to communicate his reflections and inspirations drawn from life’s day-to-day moments and the larger themes of Being. Billy has had the joy of creating and performing with the swamp-folk trio WETLANDS and the old-time DIY trio Peg & Awl . The music is a mix of guitar, clawhammer banjo, voices and songs that are as much a part of the long tradition of folk music as they are music of the day or perhaps tomorrow. Billy lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and currently is at work producing HomeField Recordings podcast; a gentle, meandering patchwork of songs and sounds recorded in nature and my surroundings. Season One will be out in January of 2024.
Erin Monroe, based in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, MI, originally from the Chicago area, is an acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter. She's known for her heartfelt music, including a heartwarming holiday EP in 2020 and the EP "A Late Bloom" in 2018. Erin's songwriting is a therapeutic journey, and she collaborates with renowned artists, all while balancing her roles as a devoted mother of two and a scholar with a master's degree in Bilingualism and Literature. Her dream? To grace the iconic Ryman Auditorium stage and continue touching hearts with her authentic storytelling.
Clem Turner is multi-talented artist, producer, and performer. With a background in theater, choir, and jazz band, he pursued a degree in audio engineering from Michigan University. Clem's passion for music led him to Los Angeles, where he appeared on a captivating game show, showcasing his musical talents and capturing industry attention. Returning to Michigan, he co-produced the highly acclaimed "Decades of Love" supergroup collaboration show, featuring renowned artists. Clem is currently working on his highly anticipated new record, further demonstrating his dedication to his craft and artistic exploration. With his versatile skills, unwavering dedication, and focus on songwriting and community engagement, Clem is already starting to impact the lives of many through his love of music.
About this State-wide series:
In an exciting development for music enthusiasts across Michigan, Broken Blanket, in collaboration with Sounds of the Zoo and Crooked Tree Creative, and Verona Music, has announced the expansion of their popular series, "Singers in the Round." This expansion brings the series to two additional Michigan cities: Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, along with an ongoing presence in Detroit.
The series will showcase at iconic venues in each city: Aretha's Jazz Cafe in Detroit, The Clover Room in Kalamazoo, and The Stray in Grand Rapids. Significantly, the Detroit show will be live streamed across various platforms including social media, YouTube, and SonicCoast.com, one of the proud partners in this venture.
This cross-state collaboration aims to bridge the musical talents from different regions of Michigan. The Detroit event will feature an equal mix of singer-songwriters from the West Side and the East Side, embodying the spirit of collaboration and unity in the music community. The goal is to foster increased collaboration among artists and to build a robust network that supports and promotes local talent.
"Singers in the Round" is not just a series of concerts; it's a movement towards creating a connected, vibrant musical community. These shows will take the form of monthly mini-tours, offering a regular platform for artists to showcase their talents and for audiences to experience the rich diversity of Michigan's music scene. Singers in the Round is a captivating and innovative “In The Round” style songwriter showcase that has been streaming live on YouTube and Facebook for the past six years. Showcasing 4-5 songwriters a month, this unique platform has been a beacon of creativity and resilience, continuing to shine even amidst the global pandemic. It has served as a virtual stage for over 200+ songwriters from across the United States, providing them with an opportunity to share their original compositions with a worldwide audience.
The Detroit shows are expertly hosted by the dynamic duo of Matt Kysia and Yorg Kerasiotis, who bring their own unique energy and passion to the proceedings. Their camaraderie and genuine love for music add a layer of warmth and authenticity to the show, making it a must-watch for music enthusiasts. For the Grand Rapids shows, Elle Lively of Crooked Tree Creative will be hosting and in Kalamazoo, Jennfier Hudson-Prenkert of Sounds of the Zoo.
Singers in the Round is more than just a livestream show; it is a celebration of the art of songwriting using the “Nashville Songwriters Round” as a template. Each episode is a journey into the heart and soul of the 4-5 featured artists, as they share not just their music, but their stories, inspirations, and the creative process behind their work. The show's format, which places the songwriters in a round, fosters a sense of intimacy and connection. It's as if the audience is invited into a private jam session, where they can witness the magic of music creation firsthand. This unique setup allows for a deeper appreciation of the craft, as viewers get to see the raw talent and emotion that goes into each song.