For those of you who live in northern Wisconsin, you understand that Spring is a relative term. I grew up in Chicago. Spring there involved the snow disappearing, with maybe an occasional sprinkle in early March. 

Here we still have over a foot on the ground and the melting is gradual because the nights are still below freezing. Signs of spring here consist of the following:  Maple syrup season, snowmobile trails close, and a lot of businesses close up for at least a week in April, if not the entire month, and prepare for the fishing opener the first week of May -- when hopefully the ice is out on all the lakes. 

For us musicians, spring becomes a time when our summer calendar starts to fill up! So, without further adieu (aren’t I fancy?), here is our upcoming schedule, thus far: 

Saturday, April 27th: Big Road at the Great Dane in Wausau, WI from 9 pm – 1 am. 

Friday, May 10th:  Red Hot N Blue at CTs Deli in Rhinelander from 5 – 9 pm. BTW, if you have never been to CTs Deli, you MUST go. Besides the fabulous food, you’re really made to feel like family. CT (chef Tom) doesn’t just have a deli, he has a community that’s an integral part of the larger Rhinelander community.   

Saturday, May 18th: Big Road at Mud Creek Saloon in Eagle River, WI from 9 pm – 1 am. (Fun fact – my first gig ever was here with Mark in October of 1990. We called ourselves “The M & M Blues Band.” If anybody is interested in hearing the story of how it happened, I’ll include it in a future newsletter. It involves horror movies, a good friend who told a tall tale, and a chili cook-off! 

Friday, May 24th:  Big Road at The Pines Restaurant and Beer Garden in Mercer, WI from 7 to 11 pm. The bonfires (and the music) will keep you warm, but dress for the weather. 

Saturday, June 1st:  Big Road at the Great Dane in Wausau.  If the weather permits, we’ll play OUTSIDE from 6 to 10 pm. Otherwise, inside from 9 pm to 1 am. 

Saturday, July 6th:  KNW Band at The Vine in Minocqua. Start time is 8 pm. Ending?  With Kim, you never know. This is another outdoor event. They have a lovely little garden out back with a stage. If it rains, we set up tarps. The show must go on. 

Saturday, July 27th:  Big Road at The Rock in Merrill, WI from 7 to 11 pm. Another outdoor gig. This place is right on the Wisconsin River. We always have a lot of fun here. Great party, great scenery, and great people! 

Saturday, August 3rd:  KNW Band at The Minocqua Brewing Co. 8 to 11 pm. 

Sunday, August 4th:  KNW Band at Party in the Park (Torpy Park, Minocqua) from 3 to 6  pm. 

Saturday, August 17th:  Big Road will be in Valparaiso, IN for the Prairie Magic Music Festival. The headlining band is Los Lobos – this is a band that Mark & I love! If all you know of them is their cover of La Bamba, then you are really missing out on one of the great American bands. Yes, Mexican and Latin Music is part of their repertoire, but they also play blues and rock. True Americana in the absolute best sense of the word. Their musicianship is first-class and they are the most down-to-earth bunch of guys on a stage that I have ever seen (although I would put Megadeth on the same plane. Different music, I know, but both bands let the music speak for itself. To me that’s a mark of true musicianship. 

Saturday, September 14th:  Big Road at Pik’s Pub in Tomahawk, WI from 2 to 6 pm. Yes, the infamous Fall Ride! 

Saturday, October 5th: Big Road at the Black Bear Bar in Minocqua, WI  9 pm to 12:30 am. 

Saturday, October 12th:  Big Road is back at the Great Dane in Wausau from 9 pm to 1 am. They really like us there. We really like them. 

Friday, November 29th:  Top off your Black Friday shopping trip to Wausau with Big Road at – wait for it – The Great Dane in Wausau!  Or skip the shopping and just come see the show.  9 pm to 1 am. 

That’s it, for now. I know our summer schedule will continue to fill up. I’ll post updates as they come along.  

If you have a question for us, let us know! We can always be reached at thebigroad@yahoo.com. Don’t be shy. We love to hear from music lovers, musicians, family, friends, and strangers. 

Keep rockin' on down the big road!  Michelle