Bucky Halker
Bucky Halker is an Ashland native and a veteran Chicago songwriter and performer with 15 albums to his credit, including Wisconsin 2-13-63 Vols 1 & 2 (2007/2009), Anywhere But Utah: Songs of Joe Hill (2015), and The Ghost of Woody Guthrie (2012). Bucky, a Ph.D. in US history, is the author of For Democracy, Workers, and God: Labor Song-Poems and Labor Protest, 1865-1895 and the producer-scholar for the Folksongs of Illinois CD series. In 2012 he was awarded a Library of Congress-American Folklife Center Fellowship and in 2016 he served as guest professor of American Studies at the University of Oldenburg in Germany. Bucky Halker is a ”missionary, spreading the words and redefining folk music in new and vital and exciting ways.” Chicago Tribune (2014) Eric Doane Eric Doane is a singer/songwriter in the Chequamegon Bay region. He graduated from Ashland High School and has been singing solo and alongside his brother for about ten years. They have a duo called Hoff Stevens. He comes from a musical family, playing drum set, guitar, and dabbling in electronic recording too. When he isn't gigging he is playing with his black lab or delivering beverages with Doane Distributing. Eric has a way with lyrics that make you smile. His songs tells stories of the heart. Frank Montano rank Montano is a teacher and flute player from Red Cliff who speaks about the spiritual relationship of people with the land, his personal experiences, teachings from the elders, values and songs. “There were some things that were shown to me at different times, and these were shown to me through visions and dreams. One of the things that was shown to me kind of deals with how this relationship exists, and a lot of us never really realize that. I was given permission in this vision by this spirit to share that.” Frank’s flute playing has taken him around the world, to play in Europe and Japan. He has made several recordings that have sold widely. But his favorite place to play is in the forest or on the shore of Lake Superior near his Red Cliff home. Sasha Mercedes Sasha grew up in Northern WI and went to Bayfield High School. She currently makes her home in the twin cities of Minnesota. She has toured around the world and has produced several albums. Marybeth Monroe Mistress of Ceremonies Maribeth recently retired from serving our community with the Ashland Chamber of Commerce for many years. She has been the "voice" on many commercials for our beautiful city, Whistlestop and Bay Days festivals for years, and has opened our wonderful Children's Nutcracker performances forever. She is at ease with crowds and introductions and makes everyone feel comfortable. You can find her helping out at the New England store or hanging with her husband Ed and if she's not there she just might be around the world visiting with her children and grandchildren. Christine Hulmer Director Christine grew up in Ashland and was in the Ashland High School Band, Choir, and Orchestra. While in high school she was a member of a gospel performance group called SongLife. She attended UW-Superior and received a Bachelors in Music Education. She taught band at Winter, WI for three years before coming back to Ashland where she did three years of band at the middle school and moved to the high school where she is currently the Band Director. She received her Masters from the College of St. Scholastica in 2000. Chris and her husband Neil have four sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and a wonderful grandson. |