From TOWN HALL COMMITTEE
The Town Hall Committee and Grand Rapids Historical Society are excited to announce the next musical program in the historic Grand Rapids Town Hall. It will be presented by Mike Nicol and the John Denver Tribute Concert Musicians on Saturday, May 16, at 7 p.m., in the auditorium of the town hall, 24282 Front St., Grand Rapids.
Nicol grew up in a Christian home in Milford Center, where he learned to play harmonica, guitar, and fiddle from his father. The Nicol family always enjoyed harmonizing together at home or around a campfire. They camped annually at Renfro Valley, Kentucky, to enjoy music shows in the big, old barn. Thus began Nicol’s life-long passion for bluegrass, country, and Gospel music.
Nicol is a singer and songwriter and plays guitar, mandolin, piano, and organ. He also plays some bass, harmonica, and dobro for variety. Nicol has had opportunities all over the world to play and sing a variety of music in different settings. His Christian music also includes linguistics and Bible translation in West Africa. He has three children, one of whom (Micah) plays bluegrass music professionally. Nicol and his wife, Patty, live in a log cabin just north of Liberty Center.
The house band will include: Aaron Hertzfeld, vocals and sound engineer; Anthony Brown, percussion; Brian Scott, mandolin and vocals; Dave Cubbedge, pedal steel guitar; Ian Lanzer, percussion; Jimmy O’Reilly, saxophone and electronic wind instrument; John Cassell, keyboard; John Galbraith, guitar and vocals; Larry Brown, upright bass; Micah Nicol, keyboard, guitars, and vocals; Mike Gramza, harmonica; Mike Nicol, guitar and vocals; Neil Kraft, guitars, dobro, and mandolin; Patty Nicol, vocals; Steve Porter, banjo and vocals; and Tony Marchese, fiddle and five-string jazz violin.
Joining them will be members of the Ol’ Creek Road Band: Taylor Goodin, vocals and percussion; Jim Hunyadi, fiddle; Mike Ziegler, mandolin and dobro; Tim Burns, vocals; Jeff Cobb, guitar and vocals; Larry Wagner, bass; and Jim Gallaher, sound engineer.
Attendees will hear many of John Denver’s most famous and loved songs, which expressed his love of nature and personal experiences.
Tickets are $10 each and available at The Village Orchard in Grand Rapids or at the door. All proceeds will be donated to the further renovation of the Historic Town Hall.
