Live Bands at Bridgefest
RustyPickle
RustyPickel was formed in 2016 by two friends who enjoy performing music together. We enjoy a wide variety of musical genres and styles, and we try to represent that diversity in our musical catalog. We attempt to offer something for everyone.
The duo features Rusty Benmark on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and vocals, and Tom Pickel on bass guitar, percussion, harmonica, and mandolin, and vocals. Rusty first started playing guitar in the late '60s and has played in a variety of Classic Rock, Blues, variety, and Contemporary Christion bands. Tom began playing drums as a young child, and first picked up a bass as a teenager. Tom has played in a variety of bands over the years. From the new wave sounds of "The New Fun Quintet", the oldies of "Pickels On Tap", blues of “The Kanivers”, and country with “High Lonesome”, Tom has performed on numerous stages around the state of Michigan.
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Hawks and Owls
Hawks and Owls string band reaches back and pulls the musical sounds
of the 19th and early 20th century into our present 21st century. Old Time fiddle tunes, and the songs of Stephen Foster, the Carter Family, Jimmy Rodgers, Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers and other greats are kept alive, lovingly preserved, and brought to modern day audiences by fiddler/mandolinist Bruce Ling. Recognized as a keeper of Traditional Music, Bruce is supported by the Wheatland Music Organization and others to teach his vast knowledge on the subject to younger musicians, those who will carry forward the traditions. Hawks and Owls duo includes world class acoustic rhythm guitarist Becca Ling, who also lends her voice to these time honored songs.
The Cheater B's
The west Michigan band, The Cheater B’s, plays an energetic brand of acoustic Americana music with influences ranging from 50’s Rock to 70’s pop. From Elvis to Springsteen, Dylan to Petty and all music in between. They are sure to play tunes that you know and can sing along with the band. They have been providing music to west Michigan audiences since 2014.
The Easy Idle String Band
The Easy Idle String Band is a group of musicians from west Michigan that have joined together to form a lively down home string band. They play bluegrass, country, folk and gospel music. They have been playing their style of music for the past nineteen years. During that time, they have added new members and instrumentation to create the Easy Idle sound. The band plays their feel good music all over the west Michigan area for a great variety of events including dances, weddings, church events, festivals and anywhere that people want to hear good music. For more information about the Easy Idle String Band visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Easyidle or call Dave at (616) 897-6220.