CAROLYN WONDERLAND

By BRENNAN WHITE

For The Daily News

MARQUETTE — Award-winning blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Carolyn Wonderland is coming to Marquette for the 18th annual Bluesfest at Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

The event, sponsored by the Marquette Area Blues Society, features three days of music, food vendors, a beer and wine tent, free workshops and assorted arts and crafts booths.

Wonderland was recently nominated for two Blues Foundation, Blues Music Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist and Song of the Year for her song “Fragile Peace and Certain War.”

“I was very angry,” said Wonderland about what inspired her to write the song. “I find that when I’m angry its better to explore why and then to try and see it from someone else’s perspective. I put myself in the shoes of people in situations that would be so desperate to do something that I disagree with.

“So I locked myself up in my room for about three days, it was the same process as a crack in the wall. I pretty much locked myself up in a room and (my husband) would come by with a sandwich every now and then like ‘hey, doing okay?'”

The song was released on Wonderland’s 2021 album titled “Tempting Fate.” The albums release comes after a long season of touring with blues legend John Mayall.

“John is the best boss ever,” said Wonderland. “You learn so much just from watching him do everything he does and not being the one in charge was really cool to see; this is how this runs as opposed to the way you always do it cause this is what you do. Its like, okay, here’s a chance for some improvements, make life easier for folks in my band, it makes me happy to know.”

Wonderland first joined as Mayall’s guitarist in 2018 and left only when Mayall announced his retirement from touring in 2021.

With 12 studio albums released, a successful back surgery in the past and recently signing for Alligator Records there are no signs of Wonderland slowing down anytime soon.

“The chance to get more music (excites me), we’re planning on hopefully getting to go in and record the new record early next year, we’ve got Dave Alvin again and so I’m super excited.”

The full Blues Fest Schedule is as follows: (All times are Eastern time.)

Today: Open to the public, free admission.

Gates open at 5 p.m.

6 p.m. — The Jimmys

8 p.m. — Biscuit Miller

Saturday: ticketed event

1 p.m. — Graham Brothers and the Hownlin’ Rythm

2:30 p.m. — Whiskey Ryan

4 p.m. — Crossroads Resurrection

6 p.m. — Tail Dragger, featuring Johnny Burgin & Marie Martens

Sunday: ticketed event

1 p.m. — Jake and the Fireside Band

2:30 p.m. — The Wallens

4 p.m. — Jennifer Westwood & The Handsome Devils

6 p.m. — Reverend Raven and the Chain-Smokin’ Altar Boys with Westside Andy

8 p.m. — Vanessa Colliers

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday can be purchased in advance at www.nmu.universitytickets.com or via phone at 906-227-1032.

Tickets are also available at the Northern Michigan University’s Berry Event Center, Marquette Wallpaper & Paint and Yooptone Music.

Brennan White can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is bwhite@miningjournalnet.