DETROIT, MI. (Motown Records) - The
Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee announced today that Motown Winter Blast, created as the backdrop for Super Bowl XL, will feature an incredible line-up of national musical acts performing the Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights before the big game. Scheduled to perform on the Sprint Stage atop Premier Garage near Campus Martius are Motown star KEM, country music powerhouse Clint Black, blues and rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, new soul duo Kindred The Family Soul, alternative rock hit makers
Smash Mouth, classic rock pioneer Mark Farner, and others.
"We are pleased to present these nationally known performers which represent a very diverse line-up of music," said Susan Sherer, Executive Director of the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee. "From country music superstar Clint Black to rock chart topper Smash Mouth to KEM and Kindred The Family Soul - two of today's hottest R&B hit makers - this will be an incredible backdrop for Super Bowl XL."
Happening February 2-5, Motown Winter Blast will occupy 14 city blocks in the heart of downtown, and features dog sledding, a 200-foot-long snow slide, ice sculptures, as well as performances by Olympic figure skaters, 60 musical acts and more than 40 restaurants. The event also features hip and fun outdoor entertainment zones, including the General Motors Ice Garden, Ford Motor Company Family Fun Zone, Chrysler Jeep(R) Dodge Taste of Detroit; and the michigan.org Winter Experience. The event is free and open to the public from 4 p.m. - 12 a.m. Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Sunday.
"We've stepped up our game by expanding Motown Winter Blast and bringing even more excitement to downtown Detroit," said Jonathan Witz, Motown Winter Blast Producer and President of Jonathan Witz & Associates. "Come Super Bowl Sunday, we expect people to not only talk about which team they're cheering on but also the great time they had at our outdoor extravaganza."
Motown Winter Blast's national music line-up, performing on the Sprint Stage, includes:
KEM
Motown recording artist and Detroit-native KEM is known for his smooth R&B lyrics and soothing vocal style. Radio & Record magazine recently named him number one adult R&B Artist of the Year and named his hit single "I Can't Stop Loving You" number one Urban Adult Contemporary Song of the Year.
Clint Black
Country music artist Clint Black has been churning out No 1 hits since 1989. With hits like "A Better Man," "Nobody's Home" and "Walkin' Away," this country music singer, songwriter and producer has delivered six top selling albums and, in 2003, formed his own record label, Equity Music Group.
Smash Mouth
The California alternative rock band's notable singles include Top 10 hit "Walking on the Sun" and the No 1 hit single "All Star." The band was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000. Vocalist Steve Harwell currently appears in the sixth installment of VH1's The Surreal Life.
Kindred The Family Soul
This husband-and-wife team emerged from the Philadelphia neo-soul movement to produce some of the most inspiring musical combinations of soul, R&B, hip- hop, funk, pop, smooth jazz, and soft rock. Their debut album "Surrender to Love" includes such radio favorites as "Stars" and "Far Away."
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
This twice Grammy Award nominated Blues and Rock musician is one of the most acclaimed guitarists of his generation. Kenny Wayne Shepherd has released four albums, including his most recent work, "The Place You're In," which includes him doubling as lead vocal.
Mark Farner
Mark Farner is a founding member of the original Grand Funk Railroad with whom he had a series of hit singles. After touring with Ringo Starr's All- Star Band and the Northwest Airlines All-Stars, Farner enters his 35th year as a professional musician with his new band Nr'G.
Black Bottom Collective
This eight member, Detroit-based hip hop, spoken word and soul group has won several Detroit Music Awards and was named as one of America's Best Unsigned Bands in 2004 by Budweiser True Music Live. The group also features DJ Invisible, who also DJ's for rapper Xzibit.
Reefermen
Detroit favorites and masters of bar-boogie blues, the Reefermen preach the gospel of the electrified Chicago style. In 2002, Reefermen were nominated for several Detroit Music Awards including Outstanding Live Performance, Outstanding Rock Artist/Group and Outstanding Rock Instrumentalist.
Sprint Stage Performance Schedule
Thursday, February 2
Reefermen 6:00 p.m.
Mark Farner 7:30 p.m.
Smash Mouth 9:30 p.m.
Friday, February 3
Black Bottom Collective 6:00 p.m.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd 7:30 p.m.
Clint Black 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 4
TBA 6:00 p.m.
Kindred The Family Soul 7:30 p.m.
KEM 9:30 p.m.
Motown Winter Blast attracted more than 200,000 people for its debut last year and is expected to entertain more than 250,000 Detroiters and visitors celebrating Super Bowl XL weekend. Nearly 1,000 volunteers will bring the event alive as one of the biggest festivals in Detroit history.
Motown Winter Blast sponsors include General Motors Corporation; Ford Motor Company; DaimlerChrysler Corporation; michigan.org; AAA Michigan; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network; BlueWater Technologies; Chase; Comerica Incorporated; Coors Brewing Company; DTE Energy; Fifth Third Bank; Gillette; Grabber Performance Group; LaSalle Bank; Lear Corporation; Meijer, Inc; Motorola; Pepsi; Sprint; Visa and Visteon Corporation.
Media sponsors include Arab American News; Chum Group; Clear Channel Broadcasting; Comcast Cable; Crain's Detroit Business; Detroit Free Press; Greater Media Detroit; Journal Register Company; Infinity Broadcasting; Metro Times; Michigan Chronicle & Michigan FrontPAGE Newspapers; Observer and Eccentric Newspapers; Radio One; WDIV-TV Local 4; WDVD - 96.3 FM; WJBK-TV FOX 2; News/Talk 760 WJR-AM and WXYZ-TV Channel 7.
For additional information on the Motown Winter Blast, visit https://www.motownwinterblast.com or call 313.963.8418.
The Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee (https://www.sbxl.org ) is a private, self-funded non-profit organization serving as the official liaison between the National Football League and the metro Detroit community to prepare for Super Bowl XL in 2006. Coordinating efforts with the hospitality, government and corporate officials, the Host Committee was formed as part of the bid process specified by the NFL and crafted to suit metro Detroit's needs.
