Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Blues Music Greats Will Take the Stage at Westland's Blues, Brews and BBQ

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Blues Music Greats Will Take the Stage at Westland's Blues, Brews and BBQ

Westland, MI - Westland's Blues, Brews and BBQ event is known around the region for bringing together some of the greatest musical talent the metro Detroit area has to offer. This year's event features some familiar faces as well as some BBB newcomers, guaranteed to make a lasting impression in the All-American City.

On Friday, August 2, Monsieur Guillaume and His Zydeco Hepcats will kick off the night of Blues music at 5:00 p.m. Monsieur Guillaume and His Zydeco Hepcats are a Detroit Blues band that combines Southeast Michigan grit with some Southern Louisiana flavor.

The follow up performance will feature a name that is familiar to Westland's Blues, Brews, and BBQ. The Boa Constrictors will take the stage from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Boa Constrictors are known for their ability to blend the genres of Detroit Blues and Rock n' Roll to showcase the culture of Southeast Michigan.

The headlining act of Friday evening is Detroit Dixie, who will entertain the crowd from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Detroit Dixie is a hard rockin' Detroit country band who draw influence from the greats Merle Haggard and George Strait. Detroit Dixie have played all over the state of Michigan and will be a welcome addition to this great event.

The fun rock n' rolls right into Saturday, August 3 with the Billy Davis Band, featuring Mighty Michael playing at 4:00 p.m. The Motown feel and tone of Detroit based and Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Billy Davis is immediately recognizable. Wowing audiences over the years on many different occasions, Davis has the experience of playing alongside some of the cities greats. Mighty Michael is a child prodigy who's sings and plays the Harmonica and has been preforming with local area Blues musicians and bands since he was 7 years old.

From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the event will showcase performances by the Randy Brock Group. The Randy Brock Group is a blend of the best Blues, R&B, and Rock combinations . The Randy Brock Group has been a staple of the Detroit live music scene developing their style and talent and have gained a reputation as one of the hardest working bands in Detroit. In addition to local venues, Randy and the band have played all over the country and opened for some of the most legendary names in music such as Journey, Ted Nugent, Eddie Money and CCR.

Saturday's headline act is a collaboration between Blues, Brews, and BBQ favorites The Kenny Parker Band with legendary Motown favorite, Jim McCarty, who will take the stage from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Kenny Parker is a legendary Detroit blues guitarist and writer who recently had an album reach the number one blues spot in Michigan. The band generates a loyal following and excitement where ever they perform. Jim McCarty is a local legend who has performed in many different bands of all genres but specializes in high energy rock rhythm and blues. Jim McCarty has had the privilege and ability to constantly tour with artists ZZ Top, Bob Seger, REO Speedwagon, The Who, and the Cars. Jimi Hendrix was even a fan of McCarty and played alongside him for a brief period of time.

When the music stops, stick around for the All American Firework Show, beginning at 10:00 p.m. You can get more event information on Blues, Brews and BBQ by visiting the Blues Brews BBBQ Website

For more information, contact Kathy Suchora, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Western Wayne Fire Association firefighters collaboratively serving the Cities of Wayne and Westland are licensed paramedics who responded to over 13,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds if shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, on of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more that 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

Westland's philosophy is that government should embrace good business principles. Providing oversight over the City's operating budget of $60 million dollars, Westland is the only community in Wayne County with a 3-year balanced budget and an approximately 10 percent budget surplus.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.