All-Stars Bring Down The Barn

Perform on a hot, humid evening
Monday, 2 July 2018

(Jeff Kiessel, Asst Managing Editor, Ludington Daily News, Page A07)

HAMLIN TWP. — Even on the hottest of days, music can bring people together, a message driven home Saturday at the Ludrock All-Stars showcase at Shagway Arts Barn.

As temperatures reached into the 90s, about 100 people gathered in a field at Shagway Arts Barn to celebrate music, friends, fellowship and ice cream at the fourth annual showcase, which serves as a kick-off to the Ludrock concert this weekend.

“This is about building a community that cares for each other,” said Ed Santarelli, Ludrock president and founder. “Music can unite us; our differences only serve to separate us.”

Ludrock All-Stars have grown in popularity and Saturday’s concert comes one week before the 2018 Ludrock two day concert event held this year at Waterfront Park in Ludington.

Every year, artists are selected to participate in the All-Stars concert. This year, those artists included Barney Betka, Chad Rushing, Carrie Rangel, Julie Sherlock, Fremont John and Chris Craft.

“Every year we ask different artists to be enrolled in this project, and one of the attractions to them is that it gives them a chance to step out of the box, and give people a different view of them as artists,” said Santarelli.

This year, those singers were backed by the Ludrock All-Star band of musicians that included Mike Luusua, Anthony Dziabuda, Dennis Fisher and Dale Horowski.

“I never imagined that Ludrock would become a place for so many looking to belong,” Santarelli said. “We’ve learned to keep our arms open, welcome all and embrace our differences positively.”

The concert was free of charge, which was a way for Ludrock to give back to the community for all that they do. Hotdogs, bags of popcorn and ice cream were also handed out throughout the evening, some even hand-delivered by Santarelli himself.

“There are so many special moments — the music, the performances, big smiles, long hugs and ice cream,” said Santarelli. “I will never be able to say thanks enough to so many for allowing me to be part of this all.”

The artists put on quite a show on Saturday, one that even had the crowd chanting for an encore.

“The All-Stars delivered,” he said. “Ludrock has become a fellowship. Our community and the people who live here are responsible for all Ludrock’s success.”