We at OnMilwaukee.com like Summerfest just as much as our readers.
That's why, in our 10th year, we're proud to be an official associate sponsor of the Big Gig. This year, we'll look forward to seeing you at our stage, The Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage & Pavilion with Miller High Life and OnMilwaukee.com.
"There are so many perks to running a company like OnMilwaukee.com," said co-owner and publisher Andy Tarnoff. "But one of them is working with groups and organizations that we all feel so close to. We're really excited to have a Summerfest stage in 2008 -- check that off our list of company goals."
Here is a closer look at the acts booked for the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage & Pavilion with Miller High Life and OnMilwaukee.com:
Cowboy Mouth, 11 p.m. on June 26 -- What better way to kick off a party? If you've never seen a Cowboy Mouth show, be prepared to be amazed by the energy and antics emanating from the stage. Drummer / front man Fred LeBlanc never has an off night. Cross Canadian Ragweed will open the show at 6 p.m.
Marcia Ball, 10 p.m. June 27 -- Born in Texas and raised in Louisiana, Ball carries on the boogie woogie tradition of Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, James Booker and others. Marcia Ball. Terrance Simien opens a night of zydeco / swamp blues.
James Hunter, 10 p.m. June 28 -- After winning critical acclaim with his 2006 release "People Gonna Talk," Hunter returns next month with "The Hard Way." This is a night for soulful vocals. Boston singer Eli "Paperboy" Reed will open for Hunter. Reed and his band, The True Loves, will have folks jumpin,' jivin' and wailin' from the first notes of the first number.
Miranda Lambert, 9 p.m. June 29 -- At the age of 16, Lambert began appearing at the Johnny High Country Music Review in Arlington, Texas, the same show that helped launch LeeAnn Rimes' career. Lambert's albums, "Kerosene" and "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" showcased her talents and became big hits.
Indigenous, 10 p.m. June 30 -- Mato Nanji, who fronts this Native American blues-rock outfit from South Dakota's Nakota Nation, has crawn comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana. That should be enough to captivate the guitar worshipers in the audience. Check out "Chasing the Sun" to get a feel for the sound.
Zappa Plays Zappa, 10 p.m. July 1 -- You've got to be a pretty talented musician to pull off a Frank Zappa tribute. Of course, it doesn't hurt if you're the man's son. Dweezil Zappa put together a new band for the "Tour de Frank" and you can expect scorching versions of his father's songs.
Marty Stuart, 9 p.m. July 2 -- Owner of one of the more famous hairdos and clothing collections in country music, Stuart has produced a slew of hits including "Little Things," "Burn Me Down" and a duet with Travis Tritt "The Whisky Ain't Workin."
The Wailers, 10 p.m. July 3 -- Reggae royalty hits Summerfest in the form of Elan Atias (vocals), Al Anderson (guitar), Aston "Family Man" Barrett (bass), Keith Sterling (keyboards), Drummie Zeb (drums) and Marcia Griffiths (vocals).
Slightly Stoopid, 10 p.m. July 4 --Discovered by Bradley Nowell of Sublime, this group from Ocean Beach, Calif., mixes acoustic rock, blues reggae, punk and hip-hop into a satisfying skateboarding stew.
Steel Pulse, 10 p.m. July 5 -- David Hinds formed one of U.K. reggae's longest-lived and most influential bands in Birmingham, England, in the mid-1970s. Steel Pulse debuted at Summerfest in 1982. In 1993 Steel Pulse was the first reggae band to play at a U.S. presidential inauguration.
Jakob Dylan and the Gold Mountain Rebels, 10 p.m. July 6 -- After five records and countless shows with The Wallflowers, Dylan will release a solo record "Seeing Things" and is embarking on a tour with the Gold Mountain Rebels. He'll warm up for the Summerfest gig with a stop at Bonnaroo and a festival in Michigan.
