By Jennifer Champagne
Managing Editor
When Vicki Tikkanen first approached Chad Hintsala about forming an acoustic duo, she wasn’t sure what would happen.
The two musicians came from completely different musical worlds.
Tikkanen grew up immersed in jazz, blues and R&B. Hintsala leaned more toward rock and ’80s influences. On paper, it shouldn’t have worked.
A year later, the duo known as Copy That is proving otherwise.
The pair will perform at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, as part of Munising’s 32nd annual Concerts in the Park series at Bayshore Park.
“It took me probably five to six years” to find the right musical partner, Tikkanen said. “With a duet, there is nothing being covered up. You have to have a connection.”
That connection has become the foundation of Copy That’s sound.
Both musicians bring more than two decades of performing experience, but rather than sticking to a single genre, they’ve built a set list that jumps effortlessly between decades and styles. Audiences can expect everything from The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Eagles to U2, Fleetwood Mac, Green Day, Gordon Lightfoot and even Depeche Mode.
“We did not like the same music at all,” Tikkanen said with a laugh. “But somehow we have chosen songs that we’re really working on to make them our own.”
The duo’s goal is to create a show where nearly everyone hears something familiar.
Their performances blend acoustic guitar, two lead-quality voices and rich harmonies while putting fresh spins on well-known songs. The result is a musical mix that avoids easy categorization but keeps audiences engaged.
“We’re trying to find a niche that we’re just really somehow meshing with,” Tikkanen said. “It’s a strange mix that we both have, but we both are passionate about our own music, so we’ve been able to incorporate it.”
While this will be Copy That’s first appearance in Munising’s summer concert series, Tikkanen is no stranger to local audiences through her longtime work with Black Pearl.
She said returning to Munising is always a highlight.
“I love Munising,” she said. “Lake Superior in itself is breathtaking. I just really like the community. I love that they support live music.”
That support is one reason she looks forward to performing at Bayshore Park.
“I’m always appreciative when a community supports live music,” she said.
Concerts in the Park performances are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of live music overlooking Munising Bay.