Musicians returned to live performances for Steel Bridge Songfest. File photo.
Songfest Reborn As Steel Bridge Day
A proclamation by Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward designated the second Saturday of every June as Steel Bridge Day, a new version of the former Steel Bridge Songfest at the Holiday Music Motel.
This year’s event, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic, marked 20 years since the tradition began in 2005 as a successful effort to prevent the demolition of Sturgeon Bay’s historic Michigan Street Bridge.
Door County musicians dominated the Bay Area Music Awards (BAMMYs) in March.
The Coves won Original Artist of the Year, while songwriter pat mAcdonald won Singer-Songwriter of the Year. Producer Hans Christian won three awards for his work at Studio 330 in Sturgeon Bay, and funk band Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns took home multiple awards as a group and individual members.
Film Revives Peninsula’s Punk-Rock Pulse
Musicians in Door County’s small but mighty punk scene appeared in Green Blah! The History of Green Bay Punk Rock, a documentary shown at the Door County Film Festival in February.
After the screening, local punk bands Ballistic Biscuit and After the Dog got back together for a show at Husby’s.
Tribute Shows for Pete Thelen
If the tribute concerts that followed bluesman Pete Thelen’s death in March are any indication, Door County musicians remember their own.
Indie rockers Three Springs played a tribute concert to Thelen during Ellison Bay’s Blues on the Bay in August, performing alongside special guest Eric Lewis. A few months later, a lineup of local artists turned up to Play It Forward for Pete, a concert at the Door Community Auditorium in November that raised money for Fountain of Fellowship, a nonprofit Thelen started.
Washington Island musician Laura Sawosko won Americana/Folk Album of the Year at the Josie Music Awards, the largest independent music awards show.
The accolade came with an opportunity to step onto the hallowed stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, which Sawasko did when she accepted the award on Nov. 2.
Egg Harbor Debuts Rhythm and Roots
This summer, the Egg Harbor Business Association merged its Concerts in the Park series with its weekly farmers’ market, rebranding the music/market fusion as Egg Harbor Rhythm and Roots.
Storm Destroys Alpine Concert Tent
The Alpine’s music and event tent collapsed during a storm that brought 70 mph straight-line winds on Aug. 9.
While the storm disrupted the wedding that was in progress at the venue, The Alpine soon resumed its Wednesday-night concert series, setting up a new tent on Aug. 14.
Music Defines Door County’s Summer Season
This year’s Summer Music Preview provided a comprehensive overview of all things live and local, with a two-part calendar of events, artist highlights, venue details, festival info and more.
Over 60 different venues hosted music this summer, including restaurants, bars, wineries, hotels, parks, barns, golf courses and a campground.