JACKSON, MI – Thirty years ago, Jackson-area native Don Middlebrook took a trip to Saugatuck, strummed a guitar by the beach and had a revelation.
“It all just felt right,” said Middlebrook, a Michigan Center High School graduate.
Now, he tours the state and the country with his tropical-rock band The Pearl Divers. He’s playing across Michigan this summer, including a 7 p.m. concert on Wednesday, June 19, in Jackson’s Cascades Falls Park.
“It’s always good to be back home,” he said. “I’m very much looking forward to a reunion with all of my Jackson friends.”
Middlebrook has opened for Jay Leno, performed with two members of Jimmy Buffet’s band and won “Album of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year” awards from the Trop Rock Music Association.
Besides playing with Greg “Fingers” Taylor, who played harmonica in Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band for 26 years, as well as the band’s current steel guitarist Doyle Grisham, Middlebrook also has played with Bob Seger’s horn section, The Motor City Horns, and Verve Pipe drummer and Saginaw native Donny Brown.
Middlebrook also is currently working on a new album with Steppenwolf lead guitarist Michael Monarch, he said.
“I’ve been very blessed," he said. “I was always surrounded by so many characters and special moments that I was able to write a lot of material.”
Family Fun Night
Middlebrook’s concert is one of the many summer events planned for Cascades.
Weather permitting, there is a concert every Wednesday from May 25 until Aug. 31. Concerts on July 3 and Aug. 31 will also include fireworks. Gates open 6 p.m. for shows with fireworks displays and 7 p.m. for shows without fireworks.
Admission for shows with fireworks cost $7 per adult and $5 for kids. Kids 3 and younger get in for free. Shows without fireworks cost $10 for up to eight family members.
The Aug. 14 show is also “Disney Night," with Disney princesses dressed up and at the show.
Other upcoming shows include:
- June 26 – Kev Nichols and the Blue Tuesday Band
- July 3 – Brian Randal Band, fireworks display
- July 10 – The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute
- July 17 – Flyte
- July 24 – The New Rule
- July 31 – All Directions Band
- Aug. 7 – Denise Davis and the Motor City Sensations
- Aug. 14 – Karen Kidder and the Alibi Band, Disney Night
- Aug. 21 – The Showdown
- Aug. 31 – Act III, fireworks display
The Cascades Rotary Community Bandshell Summer Concerts Series
Weather permitting, all concerts start at 7 p.m. and are free to the public.
Upcoming shows are :
- June 15 – Roots Vibrations: rock, country and folk
- June 22 – Rhythm Ramblers: jazz and swing
- June 29 – The Aimcriers; Americana: alternative country and folk rock
- July 13 – Big Foot Bob: R&B
- July 27 – Trent Harris: organ quartet
- Aug. 17 – Gary Niemenski: guitar and keyboard
- Aug. 24 – Ray Champion: jazz, Latin, country and blues songs
Paloozas at the Falls
Weather permitting, all concerts start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per person and $4 for seniors 65 or older. In addition to live music, there are food trucks and a beer tent. A light show at Cascades Falls follows the music act.
Upcoming shows are:
- July 6 – Mobile Dueling Pianos
- Aug. 3 – The Phoenix Theory: classic rock and dance