Please enter a different email address, or use the forgot my password link to retrieve your password.
Please try entering your information again, or use the forgot my password link to retrieve your password.
Please Log In or Sign Up to access that portion of 'My Mile'
Ring in 2019 Mile-Style!
Still contemplating your plans for New Year’s Eve? Think about it this way: you can stay home and try your darndest to keep your eyelids from closing until the ball drops OR you can put on your party hat, live it up a little and be part of an unforgettable calendar-flippin’ celebration coming to Downtown Appleton on December 31!
We’ve put together this handy guide to show you what makes the sixth annual New Year’s Encore Eve concert event your ticket to a memorable start to 2019 with a jam-packed night of music, entertainment and all-around merriment.
In true Mile fashion, we like to bring back the artists who really knock our fans’ socks off at the summer festival. One of the names we hear over and over again? Dan Rodriguez! Fresh off his sold-out holiday show at the Lawrence Memorial Chapel, Rodriguez will serve as Master of Ceremonies throughout the evening, guiding us toward the midnight hour with his wit, charm and mesmerizing vocals between performances. Although he’s not slated for a full set, you can expect some songs – and maybe a collaboration or two – from the Minneapolis-based crooner who’s performed and wowed at every Mile since 2014!
She received rave reviews last summer at Mile 6 and now Tae is returning to serenade us with her powerful (just 20-year-old!) voice. She’ll be performing before the start of the 8 p.m. concert event from about 7:15-7:45 p.m. to greet guests and will join us again later for a few more songs. Adding to the pop-up performances, popular duo Kyle Megna (vocals, guitar) and Ross Catterton (saxophone) will hop on the acoustic train and share some of their musical magic.
We put an incredible amount of effort in to searching for standout talent to play at Mile of Music, and for many of the artists who come in August, hearing them once just isn’t enough! We’ve invited four Mile 6 favorites – acts who’ve really turned our heads – back to Appleton and must say we feel pretty ecstatic that all of them have chosen to ring in the New Year right here with us.
C2 & the Brothers Reed
Hailing from the Bluegrass State, this four-man group (technically five) first met for a jam session in 2013, opened for a band just a few days later and set out on the road in an old Astro van without looking back. The combo of Cameron Clark (vocals, bass), Kelly Reed (guitar), James Weishar (keys) and Kody Reed (drums) has worked since day one, creating a smooth sound of gritty rock ‘n roll meets 1960s/1970s soul. By year two, C2 was putting on 250-plus shows across the U.S., and the group has since shared the stage with Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), Moon Taxi, Eddie Money and Warrant. Oh, and that fifth member? That’s Paul Thunderhawk. He’s an honorary mannequin mascot who travels with C2 and proudly sits on stage during every show. SNEAK PREVIEW: Check out their video for “Karma”
Chestnut Grove
Calling the small Pennsylvania town of Perkiomenville (which also doubles as the title of the band’s first album) home, this group of best friends met in high school and found a common bond in their love for rock ‘n roll. The band got its start on the local music scene and quickly formed a following, branching out to headline shows in Philly and across the U.S. on bigger stages like the Trocadero and World Café Live. Busy touring in support of the EP “Black Champagne,” Chestnut Grove features the musical talents of John Tyler, James Daniels, Dee Gerhart, Zach Winkler and Gary Geers. The band has shared the bill with acts like The Hooters, Cyril Neville & the RSB and Mile of Music favorite Wild Adriatic. SNEAK PREVIEW: Check out Chestnut Grove’s video for “Newspaper Hats”.
The Brothers Footman
It’s a sound they like to call “rockhopfunksoultry” or simply “summa music” … some of this and some of that. Indianapolis-based brothers Dikembe, Gerald (G), Michah (Sauce) and Joshua (Bubby) were surrounded by and always experimenting with music as kids, and the thing that really sealed the deal for their future pursuits was when all four siblings received instruments for Christmas. Unapologetically themselves with an authenticity that comes through in every song, The Brothers Footman are joined by Zach Craft on guitar and Don (Tank) on drums. They set out on a nationwide tour in 2018 with a stop at CMA Fest in Nashville and some major buzz surrounding their hit singles “Clear Country Sky” and “Lil Mo Time.” SNEAK PREVIEW: Check out their video for “Clear Country Sky”.
Elliott Blaufuss
Fast forward from the days when Blaufuss started out singing in the dingy basements of small, Minneapolis area bars to a more recent gig at Radio City Music Hall where he was the musical director and multi-instrumentalist for Eric Hutchinson. He’s covered a lot of ground since his music career first took off! Currently working on his third solo effort while he calls Nashville home, Blaufuss has blended his vocals with guitar, keys, bass, Hammond organ and squeezebox to perform in some of the dirtiest clubs to the ritziest hotels around the world. His touring schedule has included stops with Hutchinson in support of Kelly Clarkson and Pentatonix as well as shows with Matt Nathanson and Phillip Phillips. SNEAK PREVIEW: Check out their video for “The Palm of Your Hand”!
Featuring newly renovated spaces throughout, the Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley has served as the perfect place to put on a party since New Year’s Encore Eve first began! The headlining bands will perform inside the beautiful Grand Ballroom and pop-up performances will take place in the Hotel’s festive lobby area. Check out other spaces, too, as the Clubhouse will once again feature A-Town Unplugged and dinner reservations can be made at the legendary Vince Lombardi’s Steakhouse.
That ball drop on TV’s got nothin’ on the midnight festivities planned for our guests at New Year’s Encore Eve! Prepare to welcome the New Year with a countdown, balloon drop, midnight champagne toast and special rendition of Auld Lang Syne from the artists. Plus, jump in the new-and-improved photo booth and capture some of the first moments of 2019, thanks to Wisconsin Photo Booth Company!
Craving a dessert or need some caffeine to keep you going as the clock ticks on? Stop by the Trilliant Coffee & Chocolate Lounge to consume some complimentary year-end calories … there’s no guilt involved when you indulge in some delectable treats from Crazy Sweet.
See if your name gets randomly selected for a spin on the Mile Prize Wheel. Every spin wins! We don’t want to spoil all of the details, but we’ll give you a hint. Think gift certificates from local businesses and Mile of Music merchandise.
Here’s the kicker: you get EVERYTHING that’s listed above for just $35 ($25 if you’re a Music-Maker!). That includes nearly FIVE hours of live music! It’s not too often that you can even see one artist for less than two Andrew Jacksons these days, so four headliners + two pop-up acts + one favorite artist turned emcee = an exceptional value!
Why should all the fun end at midnight? Stay over at Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley with room packages for two starting at $179 plus tax. Along with accommodations, you’ll receive New Year’s Encore Eve tickets (2) and breakfast on New Year’s Day (2). Book this package and add another night for as little as $69.
If you haven’t already discovered this at past festivals or other year-round events, Mile fans are pretty cool and bring a great energy that’s highly contagious. Combine a fun crowd, some fun artists and a whole bunch of extra touches and there’s really no better way to ring in 2019!
See you on December 31!
Leave a Reply