Annabelle Road To Perform Thursday At Saline Summer Music Series

Annabelle Road – described as a “Carrie Underwood-meets-Johnny Cash-by way of-Skynard trip” – performs 7 p.m. Thursday for the third in the Saline Summer Music Series of free concerts on South Ann Arbor Street between Michigan Avenue and Henry Street. In the case of rain, the concert may be moved to Liberty School, 7265 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline. 

The band – also styled as “trucker hats and big hair in a chopper shop, moonshine on steel wheels”  – features vocalist Amanda Bailey, guitarist Jeremy Temple, bassist Larry Craft and drummer Donovan Tarjeft, fusing rock and country in a performance that appeals to everyone from rockers to honky tonkers. Saline native Jake Knickerbocker will play fiddle with the band.

“This is the first time Annabelle Road is playing Saline and we’re excited to be there,” said the band’s agent Joe Bellanca. “We’re honored to be welcomed into the community. As far as what people can expect? Fun. A lot of fun. We encourage everybody to get up and dance and we'll jump into the crowd to join you!”

Since the band’s self-titled CD release show last year, Annabelle Road has been touring in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois, and headlining fairs and festivals around the Midwest, he said. “But it's always great to be playing near home. Fans all over have been awesome, but there's something about the hometown crowd that gives us that extra rush.”

The young country band, nominated for three Detroit Music Awards – Outstanding Country Artist, Outstanding Country Recording and People’s Choice Song of the Year for “Love At First Sight,” performed at the 2011 Detroit Music Awards Ceremony with Mayer Hawthorne, The Vandellas and I.C.P.

The band has made television appearances and performances on major networks in many markets, headlined the “Lower Stage” at the 2011 WYCD Downtown Hoedown, performed on the nationally-syndicated Mitch Albom Show, and has opened for Steel Magnolia, The Eli Young Band, Lonestar, John Rich, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Easton Corbin, and Justin Moore, among others.

The June 30 concert will feature the Detroit-based band Remedy. The Saline Big Band will perform July 7 and on July 14 Time Machine will play its brand of 70s classic rock. National recording artist Justine Blazer brings her brand of country sound mixed with rock ‘n’ roll to Saline on July 21 and Six Foot Poles will round out the series on July 28 with their blend of vintage rock and Motown.

The Two Twelve Arts Center in Saline is partnering with the music series and providing children’s activities: bubbles, chalk art, removable tattoos and more.

In the event of bad weather, performances will take place in the gym at, 7265 Saline-Ann Arbor Rd.

For more information, visit www.besaline.com and http://annabelleroad.com.