Some lovelies from the Mackinac Island Music Fest

I love shooting images at concerts. And the scene that congregates around them can either make or break the resonance of the music (deadhead, anyone?) If the wonderful people backstage at the music festival, where these photographs originated, were front and center in the Jerry era, maybe he'd still be alive. (Okay, maybe not..)

Let me preface these images:
1. The Music Festival is an event put on by the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, working closely with the Mackinac Arts Council. The musicians at the event hail from various backgrounds--Detroit rock, folk, bluegrass, Americana, Celtic, Blues, Jazz. All of the musical acts have a connection with the island-whether it be Michigan roots, good friends, or just a general love of the place. Many of the musicians commingle as well, playing sets with eachother. The festival always ends with a mix-up jam session spanning all of the downtown bars. (Oh the bars-another interesting facet of the ever-expanding sacred island engulfed in light; lets remember Shambhala Buddhist prince Chogyam Trungpa, Rimpoche had Rolls Royces and OH, THE WOMEN!)

2. The theatre exists on the grounds of Mission Point Resort (which actually used to be a (loosely) Christian higher education institution. The building itself has been a part of many productions, including Somewhere in Time, filmed during the 1970s, which stars Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymore. (Those Somewhere in Time enthusiasts that make the pilgrimage to Mackinac Island like everyone else does for other reasons would probably love to see these images, but...whatcanyado?)

3. The people that work backstage for events all live on the island; most have lived there their entire lives. They are the ones who deserve to so closely experience the music inspired by the island, because many of them have been here longer than the soundstage/theatre in which the concerts occur. I study these motherfuckers (calmdown! I used a term of endearment!) like a meteorologist studies the ocean--if you live near it, it dictates everything. And if you don't, its effect trickles in still. Something to that effect. (I am somewhat absolved in the sociological study of Mackinac Island you will notice.) These people take their children to school on the back of a snowmobile and ride around on bikes all winter. They wrangle tourists like horses and work with horses as a way of life. Many people who live year-round on the island are closely related, grew up together, and have a way of remembering that moments are inconsequential in the lasting scheme of family, but so pivotal to enjoying life. A discerning crowd, really, yet they were nothing short of ecstatic to be in the presence of such wonderful music.

A Mission Point employee taking a break outside before the show

Travis

Bobby Roach, reporting for duty.

Mary McGuire conversing with slide guitarist Kraig Kenning, in front of the set from this year's middle school play.

Johnny Ray Gallagher. Lived here all his life. He knows. Later that night he asked me if I would like to "sit on his face." I graciously declined, "No, Johnny Ray. Would you like to sit on mine?"Oh, he laughed! I truly appreciate everything candid, nonchalant about this man, as he is great at turning what would ordinarily be inappropriate into good, clean fun! And he cares for those around him, and that's what really counts.

Whether you deteste or whether you love, it doesn't always change the situation, and that's okay-so why not love?

Mitch Ryder in the green room before his set. He told me that an artist must write the songs they perform in order to be considered an artist. He told me he's worked his whole life to get to a point of where he is-and he is humble as ever, writing a musical, bursting with insight that dates back to his days as a Detroit Rocker but is grounded in centuries of wise ingenues, solid vagabonds and creators of change. And his voice is still sexy.

 

Mitch maintains a way of presenting himself to the world he entertains as a rocker who wears dark sunglasses. But I was so lucky to catch a glimpse of his eyes. 

Becki Gallagher, Johhny Ray's sister and dear friend of the family backstage lecturing me about not taking her picture; laughing at me, too.

Nicki Gugin in the kitchen accessible from backstage. Used for catering for weddings. I encourage anyone who has the chance to meet this wonderful woman to get to know her. Then you will realize the compartmentalization of the image is a lie in regards to her personality. 

Grimace from the drum player. Hit them harder and keep letting me witness the fascinating process of making music from the seams.

Nino came for the festival as the drummer for Ash Can Van Gogh, a Detroit band from the '80s. He's still here, living up with John and Mary and the dogs, doing landscape. Sometimes the island wins. In this case, it does. He caught me in a bar the last night I was in town last. He told me not to let life take away my creativity. 

Nicki Gugin in all her glory.

Practicing offstage.

One of the Forbes Brothers, a band that plays the music festival every year. This year, they played The Band in the recreation of Scorsese's The Last Waltz

Too see more images from the festival, please visit my photostream:www.flickr.com/katelevyphotography 

and hit any of the Music Festival Sets