Music on Beaver Island, Michigan, has always been essential to island life, but it also draws the interest of outsiders such as musicologist Alan Lomax, for its unique color, which draws from a history of Irish American fiddling, songs and ballads of the Great Lakes, and a Grand Ol Opry set list established in the 30s, 40s and 50s.
Mandolinist Mike Compton will travel from Nashville, Tennessee to perform Saturday evening at the Cooper's Glen Music Festival. The festival takes place February 15 and 16 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo and is put on by the Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association.