In February, Milwaukee musician Julie Straszewski-Wooldridge passed away, and her husband of 20 years, Brian Wooldridge, was asked to organize a concert honoring her life, along with the lives of other deceased musicians.
"Julie loved playing Summerfest. So when they approached me with this concept and asked me to organize it, I said of course," says Wooldridge.
"Milwaukee Remembers" takes place at Summerfest's Aurora Pavilion on Friday, June 28, at 3:15 p.m. The concert is in remembrance of Julie, Mike Perotto, Dan Franke, James Tessier, Paul Setser, Dave Bolyard, Mark Shurilla, Dave Raeck, Sarah Kozar, Mike Hoffmann, Cynthia Zarazua, Cecilio Negrón Jr., Black Wolf, Rob McCuen, Peder Hedman and Wes Streater.
The tribute show will feature a backing band comprised of Wooldridge, Bob Eickhoff, Matt Meixner and John Carr. The line-up will include appearances by Alex Ballard, Mike Benign, Paul Biemann, Terry Hackbarth, Mary Hinderliter, Alex Hildenbrand, Louie Lucchesi, Don Moore, Liv Mueller, John and Susan Nicholson, Dan Patscot, Damian Strigens, Betty Blexrud-Strigens, Bobby Tanzilo, Chris Tishler, Joe and Jenny Vent, Paul Wall, Ward Wiesenthal and Steve Ziel.
"All these artists are friends of ours, so it seems natural to have them play," says Wooldridge. "If you ask around this group, it's clear we've all lost a lot of loved ones and friends in the past couple of years. It's important to remember them all."
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
