Since forming in the late ’90s, the musically muscular and relentlessly inventive Umphrey’s McGee has cultivated an impressive presence both live and in the studio. Lauded by critics and adored by fans, the band continues to draw in new listeners with their singular style: virtuoso playing and acrobatic tempo changes and rhythmic shifts complemented by dazzling song craft and composition, memorable hooks, anthemic guitar lines and rock solid rhythms.

Now in their second decade, Umphrey’s McGee continues to wow fans globally. The band has performed at festivals such as U.S. festivals as Bonnaroo, ROTHBURY, and Lollapalooza, have toured Europe multiple times and performed Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival.

Umphrey’s McGee is also known for their innovative approach to distributing music and building community. With the recent unveiling of Umphrey’s McGee’s all-new Stew Art Series (aka, “S2â€�) – an interactive fan experience where audience members “conductâ€� the band’s live improvisations – Umphrey’s McGee continue to offer their fiercely loyal fanbase the most innovative musical experiences available. Before their latest studio recording, Mantis, was released in January of last year, the group made the album available for pre-order in an interesting way. Fans were offered more free bonus content the more Mantis pre-orders were received; as the fans “unlockedâ€� levels of content by getting more of their friends to pre-order the album. The idea was to give the fans incentive to help spread the word about the album, and to offer a totally unique music experience. As Umphrey’s McGee’s sound evolves with every passing show, the live concerts sold on their expansive music archive site UMLive.net continue to be in high demand by their hungry fan base.

For ticketing info visit the Umphrey’s McGee event page.

Do you feel lucky? You should if you enjoy the music of Mary Chapin Carpenter.  She will be performing this summer as part of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Outdoor Summer Concert Series.

Although the singer-songwriter’s first album was released in 1987, she hit “superstar status� with her fourth album, Come On Come On. It included the hits “I Feel Lucky� and “Passionate Kisses,� sold five million copies, and earned Carpenter the 1992 and 1993 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards.  Her follow-up albums included songs such as “Shut Up and Kiss Me� and the quintessential wedding/anniversary song, “Grow Old Along With Me.� As we entered the new millennium, Carpenter’s music continued to reflect her “mind of her own� reputation and receive positive reviews. Many songs addressed societal issues that were important to her.  That focus makes perfect sense when you consider that Carpenter spent part of her teen years living in Washington, DC and that she received a degree in American Civilization from Brown University.

In addition to a successful recording career, Carpenter has earned her stripes as a successful songwriter. She written or co-written songs recorded by Joan Baez, Cyndi Lauper, and Trisha Yearwood. And who can forget Wynonna’s hit, “Girls with Guitars,� which reached #10 on the US Country Charts? She has also sung back-up for Dolly Parton, dueted with Shawn Colvin and performed as a member of The Four Voices with Joan Baez and the Indigo Girls.

Growing up, Mary Chapin Carpenter enjoyed playing her guitar but never planned to make a career of it. It was her father who encouraged her to perform publicly.  By 1986, she had won five Washington Area Music Awards. She continues to be a consistent favorite on the road and has toured with Lilith Fair and Concerts for a Landmine-Free World.

For ticketing info visit the Mary Chapin Carpenter event page.

Maybe you know his music or maybe you recognize him as an actor (he first appeared on the silver screen as Loretta Lynn’s father in Coal Miner’s Daughter). Either way, Levon Helm has been entertaining audiences for over five decades. He will be making his first appearance at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park this summer. It should be an incredible show.

Helm specializes in live, intimate shows that blend a variety of musical styles with universal stories. He is a genuine, enthusiastic and passionate performer and says that what pleases him most is that his audience is having a good time.

His father bought Levon his first guitar at nine years old and he began performing at talent shows with his sister, Linda, when he was twelve. A natural talent, at 17 he was invited by Conway Twitty to “share the stage� with Twitty and his band, The Rock Housers. By 1959, he had a recording contract as part of The Hawks, with two hits (Forty Days and Mary Lou) plus an appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. By the late 60s, the group partnered with Bob Dylan and changed their name to The Band. The Band recorded seven albums before disbanding in 1976.  Helm went on to achieve success on his own with albums like The RCO All-Stars and American Son. The Band reunited in the mid-80s and put out three more albums in the 90s.

In January 2004, Levon Helm Studio premiered the live, monthly Midnight Ramble Sessions. The guest performers read like a “whose who� of blues, folk and rock legends, including one of the last performances by blues pianist, Johnnie Johnson. In addition, the studio produced Dirt Farmer, Levon’s first solo album in 25 years, which went on to win the 2008 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album, and the follow-up, Electric Dirt (2009).

For ticketing info visit the Levon Helm Band event page.

Growing up in Louisiana, Buddy Guy’s father always told his children if you possess the talent, you couldn’t be denied in this world, regardless of your skin color. He must have taken that advice to heart. Since arriving in Chicago on that fateful September day in 1957, he has never looked back.

In career that spans over four decades, Buddy Guy is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and a five-time Grammy winner. He has also received 23 W.C. Handy Blues Awards (the most any artist has received), the Billboard Magazine Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. And if that weren’t enough, Buddy Guy has been named as a major influence by some of rock’s greatest guitarists including Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.

Joining the blues legend is JJ Grey and Mofro. The group exploded in popularity after an NPR feature in 2001 brought their music to more people than ever before. Their music ranges from gritty funk to juke joint romps to contemplative country soul to blistering rockers. JJ Grey is the singer and songwriter. A native of Florida, his music is reflective of the Southern storyteller. He claims among his musical influences Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. (Fun Fact: Buddy Guy was influenced by Waters and Wolf, and played with both in the early ‘60s.) JJ Grey and Mofro are known for their live shows. They have opened for the likes of BB King and Jeff Beck, and have performed at Bonnaroo and The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. To play on the same stage as Buddy Guy can only add to their incredible sound.

This is THE show to see for blues fans.

For ticketing info visit the Buddy Guy event page.

Maybe it’s “This is It� or “Danger Zone.� Or maybe it’s something older like “Your Momma Don’t Dance� or “House At Pooh Corner.� Chances are at least one song by Kenny Loggins puts a smile on your face.

Kenny Loggins has been making music in some form for four decades. After a very brief stint as a guitarist, he wrote four songs on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s 1970 album, Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy, including the classic “House at Pooh Corner.� He collaborated with Jim Messina in 1972 and then embarked on a successful solo career in 1976. The result is 12 platinum albums and two Grammy Awards (1980 Best Male Pop Vocal Grammy for “This Is It� and for co-writing the 1979 Song of The Year “What A Fool Believes� with long-time friend Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers).

This year, Kenny Loggins will be making his second appearance at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, supporting his latest album, All Join In. It is his first album of up-tempo music for the whole family and his third album for children. In 1994, Loggins released the groundbreaking and genre-defining Return to Pooh Corner, followed up by 2000’s More Songs from Pooh Corner.

“Even in a life that’s been so full of music, All Join In feels unique and meaningful to me, both as a musician and— perhaps even more so—as a parent myself,� says Loggins of this new album. “I think that you’d be hard-pressed to find another children’s record with this kind of vibe. Many of the songs will be familiar, but the feeling is fresh and the mood is bright. I feel like this music can really connect with a lot of people of different ages.�

What better way to spend a summer evening than enjoying some good music with your whole family!

For ticketing info visit the Kenny Loggins event page.

Photo courtesy of the artists.

Want to win two tickets to see Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer on June 10? Email meijergardens[at]gmail[dot]com by June 3 to enter. The winner will also get their new album The Melody of Rhythm.

Béla Fleck last performed at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in 2005 with Stanley Clark and Jean-Luc Ponty, and again in 2007 with Chick Corea. His collaboration with Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer began in 2006, co-writing and performing a triple concerto for double bass, banjo and tabla, which premiered in 2006-07.

Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain are each considered world-renowned composers and performers on their respective instruments. Each can cross over musical genres with ease. All three have collaborated with some of the music world’s top performers as well as winning numerous awards.

So what does this mean for you? It means a world-class performance of some of the most creative music you will ever hear. It means mixing banjo, percussion and bass in a fusion of classical, bluegrass, world music, jazz and more. Combine that with the beautiful amphitheater setting on an incredible summer night and it is definitely a “can’t miss.�

This is Béla Fleck’s third appearance on the Meijer Gardens stage. He is considered by many to be the world’s premiere banjo player.  He began playing the banjo at 15, put out his first solo album in 1980 and formed the Flecktones in 1989. He has received more Grammy nominations in more diverse catagories than any other musician in history.

His incredible and captivating performances on tabla have established Zakir Hussain as a “national treasure� in his native India as well as earning him international fame and recognition. Considered one of the chief architects of the world music movement, he has performed and recorded as a soloist and with a diverse list of artists including George Harrison, Van Morrison, and the Kodo drummers of Japan.

Edgar Meyer has recorded and performed with some of the world’s most renowned artists, including Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma and Chris Thile. In addition, he is a highly accomplished composer. He received a Grammy Award in 2000 for Appalachian Journey, a collaborative composition with Yo-Yo Ma and Mark O’Connor.

For ticketing info visit the Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer event page.

Photo Courtesy of The Doobie Brothers.

The Doobie Brothers have consistently been one of America’s most-loved bands since their breakthrough 1972 album, Toulouse Street. Blending country, blues, jazz, and rock, they have sound more than 50 million records worldwide, with hits including “Listen to the Music,� “Black Water,� “China Grove,� “What a Fool Believes� and “Real Love.�

This summer, The Doobie Brothers will be “Rockin’ Down the Highway� to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to open the Summer Concert Series on May 21. This will be their third appearance at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater. (They sold out in 2008 and 2009!) Over the years, the band has become renowned for their signature sound and high-energy shows. If you have seen one of their live performances, you know The Doobie Brothers will make sure their fans have a great time. So if you missed last year’s concert, this is now your chance to catch an incredible show in an amazing venue.

If you have never been to a concert at Meijer Gardens, the amphitheater is an intimate, outdoor venue that holds about 1,750 people. Seating is a terraced lawn with the option to bring your own low-rise chair or you can sit on the grass on a blanket. Picnics are encouraged or food and beverages (including beer and wine) can be purchased at the concessions. The stage itself is surrounded by a colorful, lush garden, adding to the ambience. What better way to spend a summer evening!

In their 30-year career, The Doobie Brothers have earned multiple Grammy awards, 27 chart singles, 16 “Top 40� hits (including two number 1s), 11 multi-platinum albums, 13 Gold albums as well as a most rare distinction, the RIAA Diamond Award, for the sale of 10 million copies of Best of the Doobies: Vol. 1. In 2000, they made musical history by releasing their last studio album on the Internet (iMix.com) 60 days before it was released in stores. Forever in pace with the American Spirit, The Doobie Brothers will continue to rock well into the future.

For ticketing info visit The Doobie Brothers event page.

To people driving by, it may have looked like a fire but it actually wasn’t. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park conducted a controlled burn of the Doehne Wildflower Meadow on March 29.

Controlled burns are very safe, easily controlled, slow and well planned. During a controlled burn, fire is used to control fire-intolerant non-native species while giving fire-adaptive native species a lengthened growing season. Other benefits include:

* Returning nutrients from the dead vegetation back to the soil
* Stimulating seed germination, sprouting and growth
* Allowing more rainfall to reach the ground
* Destroying plant pathogens, reducing the incidence of disease

“Burning is a natural process and occurs in many ecosystems,� says Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture for Meijer Gardens. “By executing this burn, we re-introduced a natural process to the Doehne Wildflower Meadow’s ecosystem.�

The meadow was donated by Harry and Elin Doehne and the Wildflower Association and installed in the fall of 2002. It is approximately three-quarters of an acre and representative of a wildflower prairie. It contains 30 to 40 species of forbs and grasses native to Michigan.

“The Wildflower Association is very pleased with how efficiently the burn was done,� says Cheryl Tolley of the Wildflower Association. “Since this hasn’t been done with the meadow before, it has been an educational process for everyone involved, which fits with the Wildflower Association’s mission as well. I think people will be amazed at the difference and how quickly the new forbes and grasses come up through the rich black dirt.�

Steve and Cheryl agree, “We hope to do this again in a few years.�