Josh Rose and Karisa Wilson at Acoustic Saturday Night GRFAS April 11, 2009

It's musical alchemy. Read the next two paragraphs, mix gently and vigorously, simmer, stew, bake and cook up a powerhouse entertainment experience!

Pushing the boundaries between folk, pop, and roots music, Josh Rose has never been big on labels. Growing up in the sparsely populated and culturally deprived Upper Peninsula of Michigan almost forced him to forge a musical identity all his own. Since moving to Grand Rapids, Josh decided to strike a new path in the local singer songwriter scene, but also celebrate the exceptional tradition that is already here. Josh has blazed ahead on this path with songs that stick with you and seep into your subconscious like the lingering April snows of his youth. Yet with all the questions and all of the labels, what his music boils down to is a thought: sometimes edgy, sometimes collective, and sometimes romantic.

On the web: http://www.josh-rose.com
Forged in the disciplined fires of her classical violin training, Karisa Wilson's musicianship has blossomed into a rich and beautiful flower of sound. After releasing her debut album 'Little Girl' to a sold out Wealthy Theater in August 2007, she went on to bring home the 2008 WYCE 'Best New Artist', as well as the coveted 'Album of the Year' Jammie awards. She presents a soulful blend of blues, latiny jazz and folk tones woven together in her unique Karisa fashion.

On the web: http://www.karisawilson.com/

Official Website: http://www.grfolkarts.org