Entertainers

Wixie Harrington has quickly become a crowd-pleaser. Melissa's vocal stylings paired with Mark's instrumentals will leave you speechless. This duo can really get the boat rocking and it won't be long before you're dancing and singing too. 

Paul is a longtime Island favorite entertainer who's performed at the Pink Pony and other venues. He plays his acoustic guitar while rocking out to your favorite hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

DJ Mike is certified by the American Disc Jockey Association & has entertained Mackinac Island visitors for almost 20 years with his fantastic people skills & phenomenal music selections.

Chris Calleja performs a wide variety of your favorite songs. Chris departed metro Detroit for Nashville in 1995 to pursue musicianship full-time as a member of various bands. He’s since moved to northern Michigan to share his solo performance talents, and this is your opportunity to catch him live!

Michelle Chenard is a veteran singer/songwriter who has been continually voted a favorite in Northern Michigan as Best Solo Performer, Best of the Best and more in Northern Express, Northern Michigan’s largest newsweekly. She released her first music video, Blade, with critical acclaim and to a packed house at City Park Grill, a well-known music venue in Petoskey, Michigan, in the spring of 2012. The same year she scored a Michigan Emmy® Award for the musical score on the TV documentary Sacrifice and Honor: A Tribute to our Northern Michigan Veterans. She continually performs hundreds of shows statewide each year. In addition to her ambitious performance schedule, Michelle founded Mackinac Island Songwriters Workshop with her brother from another mother, Pete Kehoe; has been writing and recording with country artist Julianne Ankley; and performing with her band, Blood Sisters.

Singing and playing guitar since she was seven years old, it’s no surprise that Chenard has garnered such respect and accolades.

Charlie has been playing music all of his life. Meeting and sharing the stage with many national acts, most notably Willie Nelson, has given Charlie a very exciting career. After singing and playing drums with Uncle Ugly for over 20 years, he went solo. Charlie can be found playing guitar and singing throughout the Straits area. 

Mike is known throughout Michigan for his great live performances in popular local taverns. This talented performer's song parodies are always well crafted and highlight his musicianship. His interactive music sets are guaranteed to be the life of the party. It is always a night to remember when Mike Ridley is in town. Want to hear the parody song that fits your city and/or your college? Want to have some good laughs and hear some good music? Ridley is your Michigan Man. Get your Attitude Checked here!

Gabi June is an energetic musician who loves to engage with those around her as she incorporates all genres, decades, and styles of music into one entertaining acoustic set. Playing your favorites from country to classics and everything in between, she is a versatile musician known for her fun performances and funky style from the shores of the Great Lakes to the Pacific. 

Will Springsteen is a local singer/songwriter. While he mostly plays in the Straits of Mackinac region, he can be heard occasionally at various venues, festivals, and events throughout the state and the country. Will's jams include rock, country, and folk, including hit favorites and original material. Outside of his solo performances, you may have seen him playing with The Springsteen Brothers and The Moon Howlers. Native to St.Ignace, Will’s been a local favorite on the Northern Michigan music scene since 2008.

Mark Bowen attended Musicians Institute right out of high school in Hollywood, California.  Over the years, he has developed numerous styles of singing a wide range of music genres, including jazz, blues, classic rock, pop, classic country, modern country, and top 40 hits.  His musical range is so eclectic he always keeps the crowds guessing at what he will sing next

Emily Springsteen brings you, "Acoustic Variety & Tie-Dyed Soul!"  In 2012 she jumped off a tall ship and spent 6 years singing with her guitar in Key West tiki bars and resorts.  A Higher Calling moved her on to Panama City, FL in 2019, and now she's back home in Michigan, making music on the inland seas.  Flavored with a little bit of everything, she brings you folk, rock, feel-good beach music, Grateful Dead jams and more.  Her earth conscious and praise & worship themed originals have aired on radio and television between Key West & Panama City. 

Emily Kenyon is a singer/songwriter from Savannah GA. She landed on Mackinac Island in 2019 and has spent her summers here since, playing acoustic covers that span genres and decades.

From the time Melissa Wickson was born, she was destined to become the accomplished vocalist she is! Both her mother and father were traveling gospel singers along with her uncles, aunt's and most everyone else in her family. Fact is, she grew up with music in her blood and it shows! Her early years working as a waitress in Northern Michigan, afforded her exposure to some of it's local musicians and a few in particular that immediately recognized that this girl had something special! Since those early days, she has been involved in multiple recording projects and performed in many prestigious venues from Michigan to California and back! She spent several years singing with Northern Michigan's" Yankee Station" after which she traveled for 8 years with national act "Magic Bus" sharing the stage with such groups as America, The Grass Roots, Vanilla Fudge and many others! Melissa can be found on the Island playing with duo “Wixie Harrington” during the summer months! Now as a full time resident on Mackinac Island you will find her performing on The Sip and Sail Cruise along with most of the islands restaurants and clubs and believe me, you will want to find her! Her amazing voice and light-hearted approach will leave you with the same impression it leaves everyone with. She is one of the best!

Jay Krueger is a man of many styles. He had played throughout the upper peninsula with Uncle John’s Band, the Jaybrids, and now a solo act. His deep and varied guitar style ranges from blues and folk to classic rock and contemporary. Whether he’s playing blues, jazz infused classic rock, or some original songs, his musicianship and vocal stylings will make for a wonderful evening.