TRAVERSE CITY -- The cure for the summertime blues just might come in the form of blues, bluegrass, jazz, rock, or any one of the many offerings in this region's busiest season for live music.
The warm weather opens all of the outdoor stages and brings musical festivals that occupy the calendar like notes on a symphonic score. While we can't hit all of the artists coming, here is a sampling of the rich offerings this season.
Of course, the National Cherry Festival will have its stage at Traverse City's Open Space park for eight days of musical acts.
Fans of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" can see the show's two-time professional dance champion Julianne Hough plying her other talent. She will sing her debut single "That Song in my Head" as part of her country music singing career.
"A Celebration of Faith" on Sunday of Cherry Festival week will include performances by Christian pop artists Jared Anderson, Chris Sligh and Krissy Nordoff.
Country singer James Otto, who had a hit last year with "Just Got Started Lovin' You," is in the lineup for Tuesday. Also, '90s alternative rock band the Gin Blossoms will do a show. And local radio personality Finster will bring his band Twisted Finster to perform.
Rounding out the week, the festival will once again feature 1964: The Tribute, Beatles impersonators, a perennial favorite. Also for classic rock fans, the fete to our favorite fruit will present Think Floyd, a Pink Floyd tribute band, as well as the 1970s soul-funk-jazz group War.
Blissfest Music Festival near Harbor Springs is a favorite for devotees of folk and roots music, including Cajun, jazz, Latin, blues and other styles. It runs from July 11-13 and presents some 30 artists, including Steppin' In It, Shout Sister Shout and Dick Siegel.
The Suttons Bay Jazz Festival on July 26 will present a full day of music, culminating with an evening performance by Chris Copeland Big Band Featuring Harry Goldson and Claudia Schmidt.
Country fans can hit the trifecta at Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown, with Marty Stuart, Kentucky Headhunters and Ty Herndon all making a trip here in the summer. The casino will also host 1960s balladeers The Association.
Little River Casino in Manistee will host The Original Stars of American Bandstand and country singer Craig Morgan and will surrender to classic rockers Cheap Trick.
And on Saturday at Odawa Casino Resort, three country stars will visit for one evening as Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt and Lorrie Morgan take the stage as part of the Rockin' Roadhouse Tour. At later summer dates, the resort will host The Temptations Review and .38 Special.
Younger audiences may want to see "High School Musical" star Corbin Bleu when he appears at Emmet County Fairgrounds on July 27.
Streeters in Traverse City also continues to attract national artists this summer with upcoming appearances by blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and rock group Hinder.
Dunegrass Festival in Empire is slated for July 31 to Aug. 3, the same weekend as the Traverse City Film Festival. The festival this year will feature well-known acts like jam band moe., reggae band Steel Pulse, Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile from Nickel Creek, and legends like the bluegrass Del McCoury Band and folk artists Arlo Guthrie and Richie Havens.
The music never stops at Interlochen Center for the Arts and this year's summer schedule is packed with all types of music.
Highlights include a double-bill with Dr. John and Madeleine Peyroux, showcasing New Orleans great John, as well as rising star Peyroux, whose smoky voice is the closest thing these days to Billie Holiday.
New music fans can hear Scottish folk-rocker KT Tunstall who stormed onto the scene with 2004's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" and modern rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters.
There's the old and the new on the country scene, with Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn and Blake Shelton all making stops at Interlochen.
Nostalgic acts run from '80s heartthrob Rick Springfield, classic rockers REO Speedwagon and Don McLean, best known for his cryptic classic "American Pie." Mick Fleetwood's Island Rumours Band will also please vintage rock fans with familiar songs from Fleetwood Mac among its repertoire. Blues-rocker Bonnie Raitt is also on tap.
For classical fans there will be performances by World Youth Symphony Orchestra featuring different guest artists, pianist Jon Nakamatsu, and others.
For something different, Interlochen will also bring in movie actor Billy Bob Thornton singing his blend of rock, country and folk; Broadway star Donna McKechnie; and the comical, political ditties of Capital Steps.
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