A simple invitation to a party deep in the Manistee National Forest, that is how it started. Brandon Tabor’s (The Smokin’ Dobroleles’ Bassist) family owns a beautiful tract of land south of Baldwin, Michigan where the band throws their yearly Halloween party. This
year they opened the party to their fans and the results couldn’t have been better. Fans and family dressed for the occasion as witches, wizards, and hippies, arrived to a blazing fire and an impromptu potluck. Inside the garage, another fire warmed the interior while Brian Oberlin (mandolin player with Full Cord) finished the sound check. An additional tent has been set up to roughly double the size of the garage; this will be a big party.

First up is the incomparable Full Cord. The Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition-winning band doesn't know how to put on a bad show. Every song is blessed with the magic of Brian Oberlin’s mandolin, Eric Langejan’s guitar, Todd Kirchner on bass, and Grant Flick on fiddle. The band's first set included many originals like "Train (Carry Me Away)," and some of the best of the past including "Gainesville Rain," "Amos Moses," and "Eastbound and Down." The crowd huddled into the garage and tent squeezing close to
get a glimpse of the fabled band pulling pure gold from steel strings.  

At the set break we all gathered around the fire outside as Beaver Crossing and Cookie Lovegood of Those Guys (Grand Rapids) played tunes as the folks joined in. The music and good times are rolling along and I get a minute to chat up Abe Kurzer. He tells me
the story of his group's birth. His Grandfather was an accomplished pedal steel player, and his Grandmother wanted him to play around the campfire so she bought him a Dobro. When the couple passed away the Dobro came to Abe. It sat in his closet for
years, until fate brought him to an Infamous Stringdusters concert and he was enchanted by Andy Hall's fingers as they danced across the Dobro. He exclaimed to his wife that he was going to learn how to play and start a band on the way home. We are all the
luckier for that concert.  

The second set started off with Luke Gitchel joining the group. Luke is an amazing flat picker and he and Eric traded licks raising the temperature in the garage by pure friction. The band wowed the crowd with Merle Haggard’s "Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to
You," "Little Maggie," and "Panama Red." 

Back at the fire, we warm up as the bands trade set-ups. The folks from Beaver Crossing and Cookie are joined by others and the good times are apparent. I catch up with Todd Kirchner to ask about where the band is heading next. He is pleased that they will be
kicking off the New Year at The Intersection in Grand Rapids with Echoes of Pink Floyd, the event being referred to as Lazer Grass. The band has also just finished two new tunes. He teases that they are both slated for release soon; one is a Christmas Song, so
keep your eyes peeled.

Back in the garage Luke and Tyler Gitchel have tuned up and are ready to set the place ablaze. Tyler is Luke's son and the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. The young man can play the guitar like a natural and has a voice built for country. Tyler has already won the 2023 Male Vocalist of the Year and the Entertainer of the Year at the North American Country Music Association (NACMA) competition. The two are joined by the unstoppable Brian Oberlin and come out swinging. "Behind Closed Doors," "Diggin a Hole," "Why Won’t My Dreams Come True," and the fan-favorite "Dark Hollow." The set is over, except Tyler's grandmother has a request, Rodney Carrington’s, "Momma’s Got Her Boobs Out." With a chuckle and a grin Tyler belts it out and the crowd goes wild.

I take a moment to gather our chairs as my wife and I have a three-hour ride back to civilization. Sometimes it is easy to forget how amazing the forest is. Here amongst the endless trees and pitch-black night suddenly I realize how many stars are visible as I gaze up at the Milky Way. A voice next to me brings me back, it's Tyler and I ask what his plans are. He has upcoming gigs at Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill, Grand Rapids, and the Gun Lake Casino. Keep your eyes on him; he’s already heading for the stars.  

Finally, Abe Kurzer on Dobro, Mike Renna on the ukulele, Brandon Tabor on bass, and John Ellsworth on drums, known collectively as The Smokin’ Dobroleles take the stage. Joining them will be Cosmic Knots’ Tom Wall and together they rip the roof off that old garage. The band is dressed to slay and nothing is held back on tunes like Shady Grove, Howl at the Moon, and Slide on In. The crowd loves every minute and the band is driven for more. They rock out to Mountain Jam and the happy vibes are thick in the air. 

It has been an incredible night of music and merriment. The night sky is brilliant with the twinkling stars as the terrestrial stars play into the night. All of these musicians are worth seeking out, capture some of their light now so you can say you knew them when.

Check out more PHOTOS from the weekend!