The first headline artists to be announced are The Steve Miller Band with special guest Joe Cocker, The Whispers appearing with Morris Day and the Time, Montgomery Gentry, and Sammy Hagar.

“With the rising cost of entertainment our job becomes more difficult, but we feel these first four concerts indicate the financial commitment we have made to the festival,” said Chair Bryon Mazade. “Our goal is to build value into the 11-day pass. Summer Celebration tickets are $9 per night.

The festival will open on Thursday, June 26, when Summer Celebration favorites The Steve Miller Band and Joe Cocker appear.  Despite appearing just two years ago, MSC officials felt this package was too good to pass up.

“The Steve Miller Band sold out two years ago and since Joe Cocker appeared in 2003 we’ve had numerous requests to bring him back,” said Joe Austin, executive director. 

With a recording career spanning four decades, the 1970’s proved to be the springboard for The Steve Miller Band’s success and continued popularity. “The Joker” and “Fly Like an Eagle” were the two huge albums that put the band over the top. To date the band has sold tens of millions of records around the world and continue to draw huge crowds wherever they perform.

A star, a rock legend, and a survivor are all words used to describe Joe Cocker. He has had charted hits in the 1960's, 70s, 80s, and 90s including "Feeling Alright," "When the Night Comes," "Unchain My Heart," "You Are So Beautiful," and his first American number one, "Up Where We Belong," the theme from the movie, An Officer and a Gentleman.  He has recorded six platinum albums.

Two R & B acts new to Summer Celebration perform on Sunday, June 29, when The Whispers and Morris Day and the Time take the stage.

The Whispers came together in 1963 led by twins Walter and Wallace Scott in Los Angeles. With over 40 years producing pop and R&B favorites, they stand out as one of the most beloved and consistently popular groups in the “old school” arena.

The Whispers have produced seven gold albums, two platinum albums, 12 top 20 singles, and over 40 charted hits. Some of their more popular songs include “One For the Money (Part 1),” “And the Beat Goes On,” “It’s a Love Thing,” “Rock Steady,” “In the Raw,” and “Lady.”

Opening for The Whispers will be Morris Day and the Time. With his dynamic dancing and smooth vocals, Morris Day was instrumental in the development of the dance/club sound of the 1980’s.  He was an original member of Prince’s band, the Time, until 1984 when he launched his solo career.  He later returned to the Time and performs with them to this day.

Country music super duo, Montgomery Gentry, returns to the Summer Celebration on Wednesday, July 2.  Since first appearing at Summer Celebration in 2001 when they were just starting their career, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry have gained millions of fans across the country and beyond.

Their straightforward lyrics about the realities of life sung with a southern rock edge have catapulted them to the top echelon of the country music world. The Montgomery Gentry hit list boasts 20 charted singles, half of which have landed in the top 10. Some of their more popular hits include, “Lonely and Gone,” “She Couldn’t Change Me,” “My Town,” “Hell Yeah,” “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Something To Be Proud Of,” and “Lucky Man.”

Long before the traditional grand finale fireworks signal the end of another festival, there will be plenty of fireworks earlier when the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar, explodes onto the stage on Sunday, July 6.

After seeking this booking for the past several years, Sammy Hagar’s Summer Celebration debut will undoubtedly thrill the audience.

Hagar began his career as a member of Montrose back in 1973. He went solo in 1976 and produced several successful albums including Standing Hampton, Three Lock Box, and VOA.

In 1985 Hagar replaced David Lee Roth in Van Halen. During his tenure the band had four multi-platinum albums and became one of the biggest rock groups of all time.  After leaving in 1996, Sammy resumed his solo career producing five more albums from 1997 through 2006.  Some of his bigger hits include, “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Give to Live,” “Mas Tequila,” “Little White Lie,” “Your Color Is Driving Me Crazy,” “Winner Takes It All,” and “Marching to Mars.”

The general on sale date for single day tickets for the concerts will be Saturday, April 5 at 9 a.m. Summer Celebration will also be offering the Sappi 11-Day Pass.   This pass will offer admittance to all of the Miller Lite Headline evening concerts on the Chrysler Jeep Dodge Main Stage. The passes will first be available at the Sappi 11-Day Pass Party on Friday, May 16, at the LC Walker Arena. 

Prices for concerts, pass prices, and any additional confirmed acts will be announced Thursday, April 3. 

Information regarding several new seating options is available at www.summercelebration.com. Individual tickets will be available at all Star Tickets PLUS outlets which include most Michigan Meijer Stores and the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are also available on-line at www.starticketsplus.net or by calling (616) 222-4000 (in Grand Rapids) or toll free at 1-800-585-3737.