By Samantha Meyer
Beacon Correspondent
Fans of classic rock and country music can look forward to an evening of familiar favorites as Angels & Outlaws returns to Munising for another performance in the Alger Parks and Recreation Department’s Concert in the Park series.
The band will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Bayshore Park. The free community concert invites residents and visitors to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy live music on the bay.
The three-member band has been entertaining audiences for more than a decade, bringing a mix of older rock ’n’ roll and country to communities throughout the Upper Peninsula. Bass guitarist and vocalist Lori Erickson said Angels & Outlaws has found its niche by playing songs that many audiences grew up with but don’t hear performed live as often.
“There’s not many groups that play the older stuff that we play anymore,” Erickson said. “It’s good to see people out there enjoying it and singing along.”
While guitarist John Roman has written original music over the years, the band focuses on cover songs that audiences know and love. Along with Roman on guitar and vocals and Erickson on bass and vocals, Jeff Oman rounds out the trio on drums.
Although Angels & Outlaws has performed together for about 11 to 12 years, Erickson said her musical partnership with Roman stretches back much farther. The band has become a regular part of Munising’s Concert in the Park series, returning each summer and making other appearances in the community throughout the year.
“Munising has a great crowd,” she said. “They sing along, they are very receptive, they participate, they clap, they dance. You’ve got a great sound man over there. Jim [Supanich] makes everybody sound so good.”
While some performances this summer have been canceled because of the wildfire smoke, the group has continued to stay busy throughout the season, playing at community festivals, fundraisers and local events across the U.P.
One of the band’s favorite things is to encourage audience participation throughout each performance. Erickson said concertgoers are invited to request a song, artist or even genre, and the band enjoys taking on the challenge whenever possible.
“We encourage people to request songs if they want,” Erickson said. “Even if we have an inkling of how to play it, we’ll attempt it. It might not come out sounding the best, but it gives people what they want.”
Requests often include artists such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Linda Ronstadt, Trisha Yearwood and Chris Stapleton, whose hit “Tennessee Whiskey” has become one of Erickson’s most frequently requested songs. Movie favorites like “East Bound and Down” from “Smokey and the Bandit” are also common requests.
For Erickson, the band’s goal extends beyond simply playing music.
“That’s what we’re there for,” she said. “We’re there to make sure the crowd has fun.”