The Wheatland Music Festival is a music and arts festival organized by the Wheatland Music Organization, a non-profit organization specializing in the preservation and presentation of traditional arts and music. Community outreach services include programming for Senior facilities and schools across mid-Michigan, year-round instrument lessons, scholarship programs, Jamborees, Traditional Dances, and Wheatscouts - a free program educating children through music, dance, storytelling, crafts and nature. Each year, the organization holds its annual Traditional Arts Weekend the weekend of Memorial Day, and its annual festival during the second weekend in September in the unincorporated community of Remus in the state of Michigan, in the United States.
The first Wheatland Music Festival was held August 24, 1974.
In the early seventies a small group of Mt. Pleasant Food Co-Op (now the GreenTree Cooperative Grocery) members and local musicians were staging free concerts and benefits around the Big Rapids and Mt. Pleasant, MI areas. Common sites were city parks and public halls. Proceeds enabled the food co-op to pay rent and utilities. Meanwhile, founders of the Wheatland Music Organization were organizing about two conerts a month during the summer.
The First Wheatland Bluegrass Festival was held as a benefit for the Mt. Pleasant Food Co-Op, August 24, 1974. It was a one-day event held on the Rhode family farm, located four miles east of Remus on M-20. June Rhodes' utility room became festival headquarters, her backyard was the backstage area, and her sister-in-law's yard across the road was the parking lot. The flatbed trailers were in place along with the first-aid tent, a sound system, and a hotdog stand.
Several hundred people attended the First Wheatland Festival. Perhaps the single most important attendee was the local postmaster. Before the first festival was even over he had already offered the use of his farm for the next year. The one improvement he could offer was a hayfield instead of corn stubble and dirt. All in all he knew just what the festival idea needed.
Who was that postmaster? And why would he want hundreds of strangers sleeping across his 160-acre backyard? What would his wife have to say about this? Mark and Gladys Wernette were contemplating taking a big step towards an uncertain future. But like their parents, Mecosta County's Alsatian pioneers, Mark and Gladys were committed to what they thought was their civic responsibility and offered to lend a hand.
By 1975 Wheatland was born. Elections were held and the board of directors was established. Many of the first directors are still active in the organization. This can be attributed to their faith in each other, their commitment to community service, and passion for preserving and presenting traditional music and arts.
1974
1st Wheatland Music Festival (one-day event on Aug 24th)
1975
Board of Directors Established (May 13)
Articles of Incorporation filed as "Wheatland Music Organization" (May 29)
Festival moved to Wernette Farm
1976
Wheatland Music Festival becomes a 2-day event
Information tent was born: rented from the Beal City Knights of Colombus
1977
Wheatland Bylaws are ratified/amended
Non-Profit Status is awarded
1st Wheatlan Music Festival album is produced
1st WMO Reunion is held at Central Michigan University
1978
1st "Main Stage" is built
1979
"Our Front Porch" radio show is developed
Costabella Cloggers make 1st appearance at Wheatland Music Festival
Public Transportation 1st used at Wheatland Music Festival
1980
Day-long textile arts workshops held at Wheatland in March
6 Albums are now on Wheatland's Record Label
1st Grant was received to host a Community Education Program in October
1981
1st WMO Newsletter is established
1982
WMO purchases their 1st computer
WCMU Begins taping the music festival
1983 Land purchase: WMO puts $100 down on Gunnison Property
WMO Sponsors 1st Music Conference
WMO Begins Old Time Country dances in Mt. Pleasant
1984
"Our Front Porch" radio show is offeered to National Public Radio
Land Contract signed to purchase 20 acres from Mark and Gladys Wernette
1985
Wheatland Cabin is built
Kids Hill Playhouse is built
1986
More work done at Kids Hill: 5 picnic tables built along with a wood framed swing and fenced in area for sheep
1987
A recycling program is introduced at Wheatland
Ice made available for sale on site for first time
Wheatscouts program for children begins at Wheatland
WMO monthly Jamboreed begin at Wheatland
1988
"Third Stage" Dance Pavilion is built
WMO added "Inc." to its name
WMO Logo Trademarked/Patented
Teen Dance at the Festival is established
1989
Elyce Fishman Scholarship established
1st Wheatland Dance Camp is held over Memorial Day Weekend (May 26–28)
WMO collaborates with MSU to produce "Michigan In Song" Michigan performers cassettes
WMO Presented with "Ambassador's Award" by Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce
1990
140 Acres purchased from Mark and Gladys Wernette
WMO Board develops revised mission statement, bylaws and organizational goals
WMO Copyright registration process begins
The Gladys Wernette Classroom Building is built
1991
Kitchen Building is built
Wheatland Memberships begin
Mark and Gladys Wernette celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary
1992
Information Building is built
Electricity became available at all work stations and lighting is added to the campgrounds
Orientation Workshops begin for campground volunteers
"Peace Train" added to Kids Hill
1998
Original "Main Stage" is moved to Kids Hill
The structure now known as "Main Stage" is built
2001
The Hospitality Building known as the "Post Office" is built in honor of Mark Wernette
"2014" whoo-hoo!! 40th. Anniversary Wheatland music festival. "Carry it on" dance project. To hopefully another 40 years.
2013
Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn
La Bottine Souriante
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
The Duhks
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Billy Strings & Don Julin
Carry it on... Dance Project
The Revelers
The Boxcars
Run Boy Run
The Waymores
Henrie Brothers
Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers
The Appleseed Collective
Bennett
Steppin’ In It
The Palooka Brothers
Michigan Songwriters: Rachael Davis, Kitty Donohoe, Michelle Chenard
2012
Eric Bibb Stringband
Hoots & Hellmouth
Cedric Watson & Bijou
De Temps Antan
Ruthie Foster
Hogwire Stringband
Gibson Brothers
Deke Dickerson
Paul Thorn
Good Foot Dance Ensemble
Drew Nelson and Highway 2
The Crane Wives
Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys
Black Jake and The Carnies
Planet D Nonet
2011
The Freight Hoppers
Abigail Washburn & the Village
Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry
Los Texmaniacs
Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band
Rhythmic Circus
The Starlight Six
Ray Bonneville
Wayne “The Train” Hancock & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith
An Dro
Black Jake and The Carnies
Blue Water Ramblers
Jessie Nieves & Nic Gareiss: Life After Limerick
Shades of Grey
The Laws
Old Foresters
Red Sea Pedestrians
Michigan Songwriters: J. Oscar Bittinger, Karisa Wilson, Kirby & Susan Harrison
2010
Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women
Joel Mabus Trio
Big Medicine
BeauSoleil
Rory Block
Laura Cortese
Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys
The Hotmud Family
Genticorum
Nic Gareiss & Friends
The Paschall Brothers
Slide Ireland
Jeff & Vida
The Cornfed Girls
Ralston Bowles
Open Range
Davis vs. Davis
The Red Sea Pedestrians
Seth and May
The Wild Turkeys
Starlight 6
Steppin’ In It
Michigan Songwriters: Jill Jack, Barbara Jordan, John Latini, Josh Rose
2009
Crooked Still
The SteelDrivers
Aubrey Ghent Band
Red Stick Ramblers
Ruthie Foster
Rhythm in Shoes
Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys
The Radiators
The Deadly Gentlemen
De Temps Antan
The Wilders
Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz
Sam Amidon
Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group
Bruce Olsky and Big Hoedown
Detour
Drew Nelson
Michigan Songwriters: Dave Boutette, Robin Lee Berry, Michael Camp, Dan Hazlett
2008
Crooked Still
David "Honeyboy" Edwards
The Pine Leaf Boys
The Freight Hoppers
The Tarbox Ramblers
The Ragbirds
Dale Watson
Cheryl Wheeler
The Cherryholmes Family
The Chicken Chokers
Tim Graves & Cherokee
The Refugees
Sole Impact
Slide
Bichini Biz Congo Dance Theater Co.
Michael Smith
The Jeremy Kittell Band
Lost World String Band
Nic Gareiss & Friends
Madcat, Kane, Schrock & Shimmin
Curly Miller and Carole Anne Rose and the Old 78′s
The Rhythm Billies
Michigan Songwriters: Jen Cass, Jen Sygit, John Lamb, Michael Camp
2007
Eric Bibb
Uncle Earl
Aubrey Ghent
The Duhks
The Gimbles
GiveWay
The Lost Bayou Ramblers
Orpheus Supertones
Seth Bernard & Daisy May Erlewine
Mountain Heart
Earthworks Music
The Tarbox Ramblers
Rusty Blaides
Rhythm in Shoes
Tom Russell
Like Water Drum & Dance
Detour
The Great Lakes Ceili Band
The Milroys
The Schrock Brothers
Floyd King and the Bushwhackers
Michigan Songwriters: Drew Nelson, Rawlston Bowles, Jen Sygit, Jen Cass
2006
Seth Bernard and Daisy May
Ira Bernstein and Riley Baugus
The Biddies
Calvin Cooke
Detour
The Duhks
Foghorn Stringband
Freshwater
Grada
Green Grass Cloggers
Whit Hill and The Postcards
Hurry The Jug
Jay and Molly and Their Family Band
Jive At Five
Randy Kohrs and The Lites
Lafayette Rhythm Devils
Los Bandits
Pat Madden
Mamadou Diabate Ensemble
Michigan Songwriters in the Round
Mountain Town Moonshiners
Tim O'Brien
Sally Potter
The Ragbirds
Rootstand
2005
Charivari
Hillbilly Idol
Robert Jones
King Wilkie
Laurie Lewis
Maria Muldaur and Her Red Hot Bluesiana Band
Pierce Pettis
Red Stick Ramblers
Rhythm In Shoes
The Rockinghams
Steppin' In It
Le Vent du Nord
The Wilders
2004
Campbell Brothers
Footworks
Whit Hill and The Postcards
King Wilkie
Louisiana Red
The Mammals
Mollie O'Brien and Jive At Five
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Darrell Scott
Solas
Dale Watson and His Lone Stars
The Wilders
Robin and Linda Williams and their Fine Group
2003
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Charivari
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Donna the Buffalo
Door Nails
Grasshoppah
Josh Graves and Kenny Baker
Jive At Five
The Mammals
Tim O'Brien
Ramble Shoe
Red Clay Ramblers
Rhythm In Shoes
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Dick Siegel
Chris Smither
Rodney Sutton
Blake Travis
Vishten
2002
Aztec
Eric Bibb
Norman and Nancy Blake
Clayfoot Strutters
Geno Delafose
Rachael Davis
Johnny Gimble and the Hot Club of Cowtown
Buddy and Julie Miller
Millish
Melvin Mosley and The Spirit of Memphis
Mountain Heart
Rhythm In Shoes
April Verch
2001
Balfa Toujours
Barachois
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Blue Highway
Calvin Cooke Sacred Steel Ensemble
Chief O'Neill's House Band
Guy Clark
Stacey Earle
Footworks
John Hammond, Jr.
Ill-Mo Boys
Tom, Brad, and Alice
The Whites
2000
Howard Armstrong Trio
Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers
Ira Bernstein and Company
Blue Highway
Blues Swingers
Guy Davis
Fat City String Band
Hillbilly Idol
Lynn Morris Band
Tim O'Brien and The Crossing
Los Pleneros de la 21
Claudia Schmidt
Tongue and Groove
Volo Bogtrotters
1999
Los Bandits
Barton and Sweeney
Blues Swingers
Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers
Cephas and Wiggins
Guy Clark
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Footworks
Freight Hoppers
Hillbilly Idol
Improbabillies
Patty Larkin
Claire Lynch
1998
Ira Bernstein
Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers
Continental Divide
Critton Hollow String Band
De Dannan
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Iowa Rose
Jive At Five
Joel Mabus
Tim and Mollie O'Brien with Jerry Douglas
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Rhythm In Shoes
Sally Rogers
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Samite
Robin and Linda Williams and their Fine Group
1997
Bone Tones
Continental Divide
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Footworks
Freight Hoppers
Johnny Gimble
Jive At Five
Los Bandits
Larry Penn
Rhythm Rats
Paul Rishell and Anne Raines
Schryer Triplets
Solas
Rosalie Sorrels
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
1996
Mac Benford and His Woodshed Allstars
Benoit Bourque and Gaston Bernard
Ira Bernstein
Bing Brothers
Burns Sisters
Johnny Gimble and Texas Swing
Laurie Lewis and Grant Street
Raisin Pickers and Crows Feet
Red Mules
Rhythm In Shoes
Peter Rowan and Jerry Douglas
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Dick Siegel
Pop Wagner and Glenn Ohrlin
1995
Amaryllis
Critton Hollow String Band
Del McCoury Band
Footworks
Jive At Five
Si Kahn
Los Bandits
Kate MacKenzie
Tim and Mollie O'Brien and the O'Boys
Open House
Raisin Pickers
Renegades
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women
Samite
Second Opinion
1994
Kitty Donohoe
Gospel Warriors
Indian Creek Delta Boys
Jive At Five
John Hartford
Kapelye
Lonesome River Band
Poodles
Rhythm In Shoes
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin
Thundering Cannonballs
Claude "Fiddler" Williams
1993
Ira Bernstein
Bone Tones
Critton Hollow String Band
Dry Branch Fire Squad
Feltliners
Fiddle Puppets with Rodney Sutton
Heartbeats
Lonesome River Band
Joel Mabus
Peter Ostroushko and Dean Magraw
Utah Phillips
Red Mule String Band
Peter Madcat Ruth and Shari Kane
Reunited Gospel Echoes
Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt
Trian
Volo Bogtrotters
Robin and Linda Williams with Jim Watson and Kevin Maul
1992
Ira Bernstein
Bone Tones
Bryan Bowers
Cephas and Wiggins
Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer
Ginny Hawker and Kay Justice
Hoosier Humdingers
Tim and Mollie O'Brien
Tim O'Brien and the O'Boys
Old time Missouri Fiddlers and Dancers
Pashami Dancers
Porkypines
Red Mule String Band
1991
Howard Armstrong and Ray Kamalay
Mac Benford and His Woodshed Allstars
Bone Tones
Cobb Brothers
Drummers and Dancers
Fiddle Puppets
Holmes Brothers
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Lost World String Band
Tim and Mollie O'Brien
Old Time Missouri Fiddlers
Robin Petrie and Danny Carnahan
Ranch Romance
Saginaw Ojibwe Singers
Dick Siegel
1990
Birmingham Sunlights
Ralph Blizard and The New Southern Ramblers
Kevin Burke, James Kelly, and Gerry O'Beirne
Critton Hollow String Band
Drummers and Dancers
Henrie Brothers
David Holt
Santiago Jimenez, Jr.
Laurie Lewis and Grant Street
North Carolina Blues Revue
Maura O'Connell
Rhythm In Shoes
Saginaw Ojibwe Singers
Dick Siegel
Song Sisters
Volo Bogtrotters
1989
Ira Bernstein
Ralph Blizard and The New Southern Ramblers
Delton Broussard and The Lawtell Playboys
Cephas and Wiggins
Fiddle Puppets
Henrie Brothers
Johnny Gimble
Howard Levy
Laurie Lewis and Grant Street
Joel Mabus
Memphis Beck and the Red Hots
Millie Ortego
Song Sisters
Sukay
Wildcats
Robin and Linda Williams
1988
Ralph Blizard and The New Southern Ramblers
Greg Brown
Chicken Chokers
Les Danseurs de la Rivière-Rouge
Fiddle Puppets
Johnny Gimble
David Holt
Heartbeats
Iowa Rose
Laketown Buskers
Nashville Bluegrass Band
LaVaughn Robinson
Terrance Simien and The Mallet Playboys
Song Sisters
The Tannahill Weavers
Dick Tarrier
Volo Bogtrotters
1987
Chicken Chokers
Lotus Dickey and Bob Lucas
Kitty Donohoe
Fairfield Four
Fiddle Puppets
Folktellers
Green Grass Cloggers
The Horse Flies
Denny Jones, Paul Kovac, and Clear Fork
Kentucky Warblers
Red Clay Ramblers
Peter Madcat Ruth
Johnny Shines, Peter Ostroushko and the Mando Boys
Volo Bogtrotters
1986
Ira Bernstein
Ken Bloom
Bob Brozman and Brownie McGhee
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Lost World String Band
Reel World String Band
Riders In The Sky
Peter Madcat Ruth
Savoy-Doucet
Howard "Sandman" Sims
Skylark
Rosalie Sorrels
Pete Sutherland
Dick Tarrier
Uncles and the Footnotes
Robin and Linda Williams
1985
O.J. Anderson
Dewey Balfa
Ira Bernstein
Costabella Cloggers
Critton Hollow String Band
Percy Danforth
Sheila Dailey
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Doug dillard Band
Eclectricity
Fiddle Puppets
Cathy Fink
Friends of Fiddlers Green
The Horse Flies
Hot Rize
Iowa Ros
Ray Kamalay
Joel Mabus
Malone, Carroll, Keane and O'Connell
Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers
Rugcutters
Dick Tarrier
1984
O.J. Anderson
Beausoleil
Ken Bloom
Canebrake Rattlers
Costabella Cloggers
Double Decker String Band
Dave and Kay Gordon
Hot Rize
Iowa Rose and Riff Raff
Ira Bernstein
Si Kahn
Kinvara
Red Clay Ramblers
Red Hot Peppers
Claudia Schmidt
Shuffle Creek Dancers
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Dick Tarrier
Trapezoid
1983
Beausoleil
Sandy Bradley and The Small Wonder String Band
Major Contay and the Canebrake Rattlers
Costabella Cloggers
Jean Denny
Robert Dodson
Double Decker String Band
Fiddle Puppets
Foot Loose
Day and Kay Gordon
Henrie Brothers
Hot Mud Family
Lost World String Band
Joel Mabus
Na Cabar Feidh
Reel Union
Sally Rogers
Claudia Schmidt
Mike Seeger
Dick Tarrier
1982
Blue Velvet
Boreal String Band
Dan Brandon, Rex and Letha Raymond
Bryan Bowers
Costabella Cloggers
De Dannan
Fiddle Puppets
Hotfoot Quintet
Hot Mud Family
Lost World String Band
Mulligan Dancers
New Pairie Ramblers
Northland College Voyageurs
Utah Phillips
Riders In The Sky
Sally Rogers
Dick Tarrier
Will White and Paul Gifford
Robin and Linda Williams
1981
Bosom Buddies
Wilma Lee Cooper and the Clinch Mountain Clan
Dance All Night
De Dannan
Rick and Maureen Del Grosso
Fiction Brothers
Fiddle Puppets
Henrie Brothers
Hot Mud Family
Ken Bloom
Mulligan Dancers
Na Cabar Feidh
Percy Danforth
Red Clay Ramblers
Sally Rogers
Dick Tarrier
John Turner and the Fiddletree Band
Whetstone Run
Williams Family
1980
Backwoods String Band
Tony Barrand
Costabella Cloggers
Hazel Dickins
Fiction Brothers
Fiddle Puppets
Henrie Brothers
Si Kahn
Lost World String Band
Michael, McCreesh, and Campbell
Quackgrass
Reel World String Band
Jim Ringer and Mary Caslin
Roustabouts
Sweet Corn
John Turner
Whetstone Run
Robin and Linda Williams
1979
Backwoods String Band
Costabella Cloggers
Patrick Couton
Dekalb
Dutch Cove String Band
Green Grass Cloggers
Gypsy Gypo String Band
Henrie Brothers
Hot Mud Family
Lost World String Band
Joel Mabus
Port City Bluegrass Boys
Quackgrass
Red Clay Ramblers
Reel World String Band
Jean Ritchie
Roustabout String Band
Tracy and Eloise Schwarz
Mike Seeger and Alice Gerrard
Sinclair Bros.
Carl Story
Williams Family with Jay Round
1978
Patrick Couton
Kitty Donohoe
Fall City Ramblers
Flat Pickers Local No. 169
Green Grass Cloggers
Highwoods String Band
Hot Mud Family
Lost World String Band
Joel Mabus
Wade Mainer
Martin, Bogan and Armstrong
New Pine River Valley Boys
Quackgrass
Quality Quinn
Red Clay Ramblers
Sinclair Bros.
Swamp Cats
Jay Ungar and Lynn Hardy
Vice Versa
Williams Family
1977
Bluegrass Extension Service
Bluegrass Reunion
Cabbage Crik
Alice Gerrard
Hot Mud Family
McLain Family Band
Red Clay Ramblers
Jean Ritchie
Mike Seeger
Sounds of the South
Williams Family
1976
Cabbage Crik
Easy Pickins
Highwoods String Band
Pine River Valley Boys
Mike Seeger
Stillhouse String Band
Sweet Corn
Williams Family
1975
GLA Grass
Kathy Ann and the Sounds of the South
Kentucky Grass
Pine River Valley Boys
RFD Boys
Stillhouse String Band
Don Stover and the White Oak Mountain Boys
Sunset Express
Williams Family
1974
Bean Town Valley Ramblers
Easy Pickins
Kentucky Grass
Roy McGinnis and the Sunnysiders
Pine River Valley Boys
Tennessee Valley Boys
