In 1996, the midwest's Willamena set out to combine outstanding songwriting with high-energy roots rock. The band's story-telling lyrics, seamless guitar work, and exceptional work ethic have earned critics respect with an award-winning live show.
Willamena's timely, polished sound begins with Lucas Ross (lead vocals/guitar) and Chad Hendrickson (lead guitar/vocals). The duo's songwriting brings a truly fresh approach to classic roots rock by combining smooth, grooving elements, lush guitars, and driving rhythm. With the addition of Chris Newman (bass, vocals), and Ted Mitchell (drums), Willamena amps up the classic singer-songwriter style into a big-time, high-octane, rock-n-roll experience.
After releasing their first (and well-received) CD HIGH PRICE TO PAY in 1997, Willamena gigged relentlessly, opening for such touring acts as Fishbone, Big Brother and the Holding Company, SR-71, Nine Days, and many others. Eventually, Willamena earned a reputation as the hardest-working band in Michigan, and surpassed over 140 other acts to win the Grand Rapids-based Aris Hampers/101.3FM Hometown Rock Search (2001-2002).
In May, 2002, Willamena released their second album, GHOST OF JULY, to excellent local reviews, selling out in short order. The band's second CD had a sharp focus, a rich sound, and it packed a big punch.
Willamena's third album, FAR FROM THE CURRENT, was released in February, 2004, once again to exceptional reviews (XM radio's Top Ten, Buzzplay.com's ..3, and most recently the album was the front-page feature on theindustryresource.com).
Absolutely fabulous show guys! Thanks for so many of them over the years. Bury Me is GREAT! Hope to see you down the road, and best wishes to Chad, Jess and Elise on the Great Plains experiment!
I'll be performing with Dooley Noted @ The Break Room Saturday, April 19th 9:00 pm (we play at 9) Other bands: Brother Bill, Head Trip, Shag Wagon Deluxe Tickets: $5 at the door 1359 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Ted...you must play in Grand Rapids in the springtime, it's just around the corner..can't you smell the grass growing?! eheee..I can!! The birds have begun singing once again!
If Love's a Sweet Passion from Henry Purcell's The Fairy Queen (act 3):
If Love's a Sweet Passion, why does it torment? If a Bitter, oh tell me whence comes my content? Since I suffer with pleasure, why should I complain, Or grieve at my Fate, when I know 'tis in vain? Yet so pleasing the Pain is, so soft is the Dart, That at once it both wounds me, and Tickles my Heart
Happy V Day.. I've been listening joyfully to your tunes :) always.maggie
I just made six of our songs available for download for free on Myspace and thought everyone’d want to get in on the action. (PS: You can get the whole thing on Limewire for free...no guilt involved...no, really, take it).
Yo what up! You guys need to come play chitown. I miss hearing Lucas and Chad's awful tones. Ted I missed ya the other weekend. I see how it is. Take care guys
yall sound great! I tryed to contact you Chad a while ago but no response.who ever checks the my space Id like you to tell Chad that all of us in Fl.are enjoying your music & spreading the word for your band. Your uncle Gary (my dad),Said he wishes he could be there in Mi. Every yr. around Christmas he gets the Mi. blues. Happy Thanksgiving. Mandy,Gary,Debbie,Cara and our kids.
No way!! harvey's is back???? WTF? I arrive, it closes down. I stay for 3 years, leave....and then it opens up again. Oh well, Im sure its not like its heyday yet anyhow. Good to see you guys are playin again.
First and foremost, thank you again for being our friends. We seriously and sincerely appreciate it more than you know. If you want more of us, you can now buy our brand spanking new album on iTunes. That's it, you still rawk:) And that is a very good thing.
Hey Willamena, remember us??? Some of us were yer Mackinaw Harvest friends back in the day .. but we went by Four Lincolns then...hope to see you out at a show some time...
Sarah
I've been waiting five months to tell you this......our new EP Curtain of Stars is now available on our myspace page!! Hell yeah. That's it, you rawk!!
Ok, Willamena, so I posted over 250 Music Industry Related Blogs
now you all have to read them. Yes this is for real. There will be more to come so make sure you subscribe to them.
I'll be in Kazoo the night of the corner bar, but I've already made plans to see Camera Obscura at Kraftbrau. Maybe I'll see you guys before or after???
