DETROIT – WDIV-Local 4 announced today the “Detroit Duets” line-up for the broadcast of “The Ford Fireworks” presented by The Parade Company.
“Detroit Duets” will showcase some of the Motor City’s most diverse and engaging musicians on this summer’s highest rated Detroit special. The Ford Fireworks will be broadcast and streamed exclusively on Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit on June 26 starting at 8 p.m.
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“Working musicians are the backbone of Detroit’s entertainment industry. We wanted to celebrate those talented singers who make their living gigging across metro Detroit, the state and even nationally and internationally,” said Jamie Kaye Walters, creative services and programming director. “It’s always exciting to watch two musicians perform a song together and experience how they each approach the music and performance.”
“Detroit Duets” will be performed on the sponsored by Motor City Casino Hotel stage. Featured artists are:
Jill Jack and Devin Scillian
Jill and Devin have been friends and performed together for more than a decade.
Jill is 38-time Detroit Music Award winner and longtime fixture on the Detroit music scene. Having opened for major music acts like Bob Seger, John Waite, Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Dan Fogelberg, Marshall Crenshaw, Chris Isaak, and Loretta Lynn, Jill has determined staying power.
Devin is best known for his first love of journalism and as the anchor of Local 4 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., but writing music is a close second. Devin’s latest Nashville recorded CD “Letter from London” helped to earn him a 2017 Detroit Music Award nomination. He has released four albums of his original songs and his band, Arizona Son, makes frequent appearances on the summer concert circuit. He’s opened for the likes of Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, and LeAnn Rimes.
Beth Griffith-Manley and Tony Frost
This is the first time Beth and Tony have sung together.
Beth is the daughter of Johnny Griffith, the Funk Brothers’ heralded keyboardist. Growing up in the belly of the Motown sound helped shape Beth’s musical view but her talent is all her own. She’s had the distinct opportunity to sing on “Dancing with the Stars” and recently, she joined Aretha Franklin on stage in a tribute to the Queen of Soul.
Tony grew up singing in the church and that love of gospel music has influenced his musical career. Even though he comes from a family of singers, he didn’t take singing seriously until his early twenties. Apart from singing, Tony gets the most joy when he’s writing songs. His CD “As Long As I Live” was released in 2012.
Christina Chriss and Joey Fava
Christina and Joey are not only bandmates but best friends. They are two members of the five member hard pop rock band Kaleido that has gained huge notoriety in the Detroit music scene. Kaleido was named Best Band in Detroit by “Real Detroit Weekly” in both 2013 & 2014, and they also had the most winning song of all time on 89x FM. The band has opened for Kid Rock, Aerosmith, Slash and Sammy Hagar, and just returned from 27 dates opening for Seether on their U.S. tour. The band won two Detroit Music Awards in 2015 for “Outstanding Rock/Pop Group” and “Outstanding Rock Recording” for their second independent EP “Unbreakable.” Christina recently worked with Grammy-Award winning producer Detail on a solo project. This is not the first time Christina and Joey have performed as a duo but they always bring the energy of a Kaleido show into every performance.
Trey Simon and Olivia Millerschin
A Rochester Hills native, Trey found music as an outlet to deal with the things going on around him: struggling with his racial identity, his parents’ divorce, and at one point, homelessness. He started booking local shows, and eventually he worked his way up to opening for the likes of Andy Allo, Nick Thomas, Andy Grammer and Andra Day.
Olivia’s colorful folk, pop and soulful sound helped her make it to the quarter finals of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and win a John Lennon Songwriting Award. A Michigan native, her songs have been featured in national and indie movies and TV shows. Olivia spends most of her time on the road, on nationwide tours opening for artists like Sawyer Fredericks.
Thornetta Davis and Evrod Cassimy
Thornetta is known as “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues.” Winner of more than 30 Detroit Music Awards, Thornetta is the epitome of Detroit soul. Inducted into the “Detroit Music Hall of Fame,” she’s a multi-talented international singer and songwriter who once opened the VH1 Vogue fashion awards at Madison Square Garden with Detroit country-rocker Kid Rock. Thornetta recently released her latest album, “Honest Woman.”
Weekday mornings, Evrod is the guy giving you your news. Since 2013, he’s been the co-anchor of “Local 4 News Today.” Always a vocalist, Evrod is thrilled to be singing with Thornetta Davis, and to share a different talent with viewers.
In addition to the exciting singers lined up to perform, one lucky viewer will win $2,500, courtesy of WDIV-Local 4, just for watching “The Ford Fireworks” broadcast. Another viewer will win a $500 Somerset gift card.
“The Ford Fireworks” will be broadcast live on Local 4 and streamed on ClickOnDetroit.com beginning at 8 p.m. on Monday, June 26.