About Me
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).
My Blog
WILLAMENA CD RELEASE SHOW: SATURDAY, JULY 5, AT BELLS
After almost four years, we've finally finished the CD. "Diamond in the Rust" and its 11 (maybe 12; we haven't decided yet) songs will be for sale at the show. Finally! This isn't the only reason t...
Posted by on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:22:00 GMT
Live in K-zoo this Friday, April 11
Hey all-I wanted to let you all know that Willamena is playing at Harvey’s in downtown Kalamazoo this Friday, April 11. We’re playing all night, from about 10pm to 2am, and it’s FRE...
Posted by on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:05:00 GMT
Those who live in Lansing...we salute you.
The weather sucks...really sucks. February in Michigan is simply depressing.So I offer up a palliative to your seasonal affective disorder: a rock show! Actually, two in a row! Alright, enough with...
Posted by on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:10:00 GMT
New tunes, new shows, album update
Hey fans-After a period where I was barely able to keep up with any Myspace stuff, I decided to add some new songs to our profile. We now have 6 tunes up: 3 are live recordings from Bell's Beergarden...
Posted by on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:57:00 GMT
spam from our Myspace site
I wanted to apologize to anyone (I assume all our Myspace friends) who received spam comments from this site. I saw at least two different spam messages, one of which involved a pair of scantily clad...
Posted by on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:37:00 GMT
We’re alive!
And we're playing live again. We have two shows coming up in the early winter. We're playing Juke's in Grand Rapids on Nov. 24 and Harvey's in K-zoo a week later, on Dec. 1. We hope to also add a...
Posted by on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 06:09:00 GMT
show at The Dollar (Thurs., Feb. 22) is cancelled
By order of the Ingham County Health Commission, The Dollar is closed, so we won't be playing a show there this Thursday. I guess it doesn't have the nickname "The Dirty Dollar" for nothing.
Posted by on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 18:37:00 GMT
Parrot's Jan. 19th show cancelled
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to cancel the Jan. 19 show at Parrot's in Holland. Don't fret; we'll do our best to play the Lake Michigan coast soon.
Posted by on Sat, 06 Jan 2007 00:17:00 GMT
some new shows
After a bit of a hiatus due to travelling and baby birthing by band members, we'll be playing some shows again beginning in January. As of now, we have two shows scheduled: Jan. 3 at Blind Pig, Ann A...
Posted by on Fri, 24 Nov 2006 10:54:00 GMT
A peak at the next album
The new album will be done when we get the money to finish it. Check out "Cryin'". It's a rough mix, but will at least give you an idea of some of the material on the next album.
Posted by on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:54:00 GMT
