Kelly Jackson

Kelly Jackson a tribal member of the Lac du Flambeau Band, is a singer, songwriter, philanthropist, a tribal advocate, and of course most importantly, a mother and a grandmother.  Her music has gained admiration for its unique flare and remarkable ability to inspire and empower listeners. She composes rhythms that compliment her native roots and lyrical messages that invoke healing, self-empowerment and cultural reflection. Her debut album, Spirit of a Woman earned a NAMA for best Americana Album of the Year, Renditions of the Soul, also received international recognition. Most recently Kelly has collaborated with other inspirational artists, touching on a more alternative style pulling from spoken word, rap, and reggae with her recently nominated hit single, Wake Up for the 2017 Native American Music Awards.  The most notable addition to her work in music is serving as the co-founder of Spirit of a Woman. A nonprofit organization designed to provide personal and professional development for women and girls. Kelly Jackson and Danielle Yancey launched Indigenous Girls Rock Camp (IGRC). IGRC is a typically a 7-day empowerment music camp for girls ages 8-18 with unique programming that combines music education, performance and leadership development under the direction of professional female music instructors, girls: learn an instrument, form a band; write an original song and perform a live concert.

Michael Wilmot

Hailing from the music-rich state of North Carolina, Michael Wilmot is a multi-instrumentalist who has made a name for himself in the vibrant music scene of Madison, Wisconsin. With a passion for music that started at a young age, Michael began taking piano lessons at just eight years old and picked up the saxophone two years later. His prodigious talent was quickly apparent, and he was soon playing in bands and earning accolades such as the Louis Armstrong award in high school.

Since then, Michael has honed his skills as a versatile and dynamic musician with a knack for improvisation. He’s played with a wide range of bands, including Mudroom, Madtown Get Down, and Late Harvest, and has shared the stage with artists spanning the genres of reggae, hip hop, electronic, rock, funk, folk, blues, metal, punk, Latin, and psychedelic. Michael’s live performances are a masterclass in musicianship, blending impeccable technique with boundless creativity.

Currently, Michael performs with Kelly Jackson’s band, where he wows audiences with his saxophone, native flute, and keyboard skills. He’s also a core member of 608 Trayce’s band, where he adds his signature saxophone and synth sounds to the mix. In addition to performing, Michael is a skilled recording artist and trivia host, bringing his infectious energy and passion for music to everything he does.

Scott Dercks

Scott Dercks is an award winning guitarist currently based in NE Wisconsin. He started playing professionally in 1972, and has continued unabated ever since. He has played played thousands of shows throughout the continental United States, as well as in Hawaii and Mexico. He worked for 20 years in the Twin Cites working with many of best bands in town, including with members of Prince’s New Power Generation.

He has also played for the widest possible range of audiences. From small intimate gatherings to concerts in front of tens of thousands, from the homeless to the President of the United States and from children’s shows to retirement homes. It has always been a focus that his music not only entertains, it lifts people up.

Scott’s preferred musical genres are just as varied. From rock and blues, to funk and R+B, to all flavors of Jazz and Latin (Bossa Nova/Samba) to a wide range of “ethnic” music. He enjoys and has played it all.

Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells started performing as a bassist professionally in his home-town of Chicago. Playing Blues and R&B in smoky blues clubs as a high schooler, before attending the University of Wisconsin, where he met drummer and friend Tony Taylor, and began performing in college talent shows. Kevin together with Tony, guitarist Tom Theabo, WAMI hall of fame vocalist Janet Planet and legendary Bluesman Dave Janke, joined the R&B band, Sweet Davy J’s Body Talk.

After that, Kevin began performing with the progressive rock group Maxgain followed by a stint with the seven-piece jazz group Playtime.

Kevin then spent years as a member of the Brenda Theabo Trio and as leader of The Kevin Wells Project.

Then forming the award-winning jazz supergroup KWT4 with jazz guitar icon Tom Theabo, drummer Tony Taylor, WAMI award-winning saxophonist Tom Washatka and guitar virtuoso Scott Dercks.

As a sideman, Kevin has performed with many notable artists. Also, as an “on-call” bassist for The Lil Davy Max Band, Kelly Jackson, Big Papa Boogie, Mojo and the Flip-side, The Alex Wilson Band, The Monica Hrudik Combo, and Hip Pocket. To name a few..

Mike Barden

Raised in Eagle River, WI, Mike Barden currently lives in Stevens Point, and has been performing professionally on keyboard and piano since he was 13 years old. Experienced in a wide variety of musical genres and performance situations, Mike has been a top-call keyboardist in and around Wisconsin for decades.

Graduating with degrees in music from UW-Stevens Point and University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign, Mike has also worked as a teacher (piano, guitar, music theory, and ear training), musical arranger, composer, church music director, live and recorded music audio engineer, recording studio owner, and producer of recordings for many other musical artists. Since 1994 he has produced a number of his own recordings of original music and cover songs. His talents and musical adaptability have brought into performances all around Wisconsin and the Midwest states, as well as points beyond, including Florida, Punta Cana and Cancun and Akumal, Mexico.

As a performer, Mike Barden has had the opportunity to share the stage with Greg Koch, Janet Planet, Maynard Ferguson, Joan Rivers, Joe Piscopo, Father Guido Sarducci, and Victoria Jackson. Currently he is the keyboard player for Boogie & the Yoyoz, but in the past he has also played as a member of many ensembles including River Cities Jazz, the Justmann Band, John Check & the Wisconsin Dutchmen, Unity the Band, and Ask Your Mother.

Tony Wagner

Drummer/Percussionist Tony Wagner is known for being one of the most solid and groove oriented musicians in the music industry. His ability to bring musicians together while creating an unmistakable style of drumming has Tony as one of the most “on call” live performance drummers in the Midwest.

Tony has worked with a variety of musicians from around the Midwest and beyond. He is pleased to bring his specialized skills to central Wisconsin and is excited to take on new students.

View Tony Wagner’s bio here: https://www.tonywagnerdrums.com

Dennis Wage

Dennis grew up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he began his musical journey at the age of six, taking organ lessons on a Hammond M2. However, during high school, he found himself feeling burned out on organ literature and made the switch to piano when he entered college. In 1989, Dennis graduated with a Music/Business/Audio Engineering degree from the University of Oshkosh.

Upon moving to Nashville, Dennis embarked on a thriving music career, quickly establishing himself as an in-demand session keyboard player. He had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous country music stars, including notable figures such as T. Graham Brown, Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie fame, Jack Pearson from the Allman Brothers Band, and Leroy Parnell. Dennis also toured with Delbert McClinton from 2011 until Delbert’s retirement in 2021.

One of the pinnacle moments of Dennis’ career came at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, where he clinched the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album for his work on “Tall Dark and Handsome” with Delbert McClinton.

Now retired and residing in the Stevens Point area, Dennis continues to share his musical talents. He maintains a studio and lends his skills to artists worldwide, providing overdubs that enhance their projects with his signature touch.

Dennis has been married for almost 50 years and has 3 children and one grandchild. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and Ham Radio N9OQ.