Four Winds Casinos | New Buffalo Hotel | Michigan Casinos
Jimmy is a singer/songwriter/guitarist originally from New York who started playing guitar at age 19 and immediately fell in love with the instrument. A self-taught musician, he began by teaching himself songs by the Beatles, Bob Dylan and acoustic music of the late 60’s and early 70’s.
Over the almost 50 years of playing, he has played in all kinds of bands including folk, bluegrass, rock’n’roll, blues and jazz. One of the most remarked upon aspects of his live shows is the variety of music he performs. He is just as comfortable singing a jazz standard from the great American song book as he is singing a contemporary country or pop tune. His set list includes songs from the late 1920’s right up to current artists like John Legend and Keith Urban.
Jimmy has been fortunate enough to have played with several well-known musicians including Bela Fleck whom he played with in the bluegrass band Wicker’s Creek back in New York in the 1970’s. Another Wicker’s Creek alumni, Ray Chesna, teaches Delta and country blues and performs in the Asheville area. Ray’s 2 CDs contain several of Jimmy’s compositions. He has 3 CDs of original music including “Baby It’s Cold Outside” which is the soundtrack to a small independent film of the same.
He has also had a song, he co-wrote with Nashville songwriter Donna Britton, picked up by an LA film company for possible use in TV or film.
Jimmy now lives in St. Joseph Michigan where he performs at many local venues including wineries, restaurants and casinos as well as private parties.
Adding smooth jazz vocal stylings to a variety of genres, Chad Thompson enjoys an interactive crowd which often finds itself singing along to covers of Garth Brooks, Zac Brown Band, Neil Diamond & Billy Joel. Previously leading up the original country music bands The Road Home and Local Motive, he shared the stage with bands Exile, Highway 101, Ronnie McDowell & The Eli Young Band. Now playing solo acoustic venues, Chad enjoys free-forming on keyboard and guitar, and most of all, bringing people together.
Steve Foresman and Byron Craft have performed throughout the region for almost 30 years, building a strong following and reputation for engaging live shows. Over the course of Steve’s career, he has had the opportunity to open for nationally recognized artists such as The Beach Boys, Styx, Heart, and The Doobie Brothers. He has also produced and performed in tribute shows honoring artists including The Rolling Stones and David Bowie, both of which sold out at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan. For 12 years, he also hosted the open stage at Fiddler’s Hearth in South Bend. Byron Craft honed his musical talents at Interlochen National Music Camp before continuing his studies at DePauw University, where he pursued piano, vocal performance, and technical theater. The duo performs a dynamic mix of folk, rock, and rhythm & blues spanning the 1950s to today, tailored to connect with a wide range of audiences.
Chris Burch is an alternative rock influenced artist who has been performing to audiences across the country. His sets are like a rock n’ roll history lesson, with selections from the 50’s to today. Using a guitar as the spill canvas for his sharp song-writing, raw vocal appeal, and bravely fresh sound, Chris delivers his songs with an intensity that sets him apart from his contemporaries.
Scott and Amy Hicks are an acoustic duo from NW Indiana and have been performing in the music industry for many years. In 2023, they joined forces in both marriage and music to perform acoustic “Gen X” rock from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Their song list is ever growing and includes artists such as Natalie Merchant, Green Day, Peter Gabriel, U2, Radiohead, and Alanis Morissette. Scott and Amy enjoy performing all over the Region of NW Indiana, and can often also be found at several venues in SW Michigan and NE Illinois.
J&J Acoustic is an acoustic duo featuring Jamie Warren and Jeff Spicher. Utilizing twin acoustic guitars and vocal Harmony’s that allow for a wide variety of song selections from the old school vibe of Seals & Crofts to the fresh pop of Dua lipa, J&J Acoustic offers something for every musical taste, done in an acoustic setting.
Both Jamie and Jeff have been performing separately and together regionally and locally in various acts for over twenty five years. In addition , Jamie Warren operates Warren Guitar lessons in Mishawaka Indiana and has studied at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles California.
Jeff Spicher has been a guitar instructor at Hoosier-dads music and Home-Run music in Mishawaka. he has also recorded several albums and has contributed soundtrack music for independent film director Donald Corthier.
This experience allows J&J Acoustic to draw from a wide variety of musical styles in order to keep things interesting for the audience.
Donald Neale brings an unusual variety of musical influences into his solo and group performing. He has performed with many of the top latin jazz bands in the Chicago area including the Frontline Latin Jazz Ensemble, Conjunto, Sueños, Crosswind and many others. His solo piano repertoire focuses on Latin American classical music, especially the music of Villa-Lobos, Ernesto Nazareth, Astor Piazzolla, Manuel Ponce and other lesser known composers from Columbia and the Caribbean. He has made an extensive study of seminal Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, recording a compact disc of Lecuona’s piano music entitled “Pieces of Night”. In addition his other main focus has been on early jazz piano literature, particularly the music of Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson and Pete Johnson, combined with a growing body of advanced original piano arrangements of songs by The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Radiohead and many others.
He has been a staple of Chicago’s society orchestra scene for 25 years now, but has also worked extensively in Chicago’s world music, jazz, blues and gospel worlds. He worked for many years as music director for the Wellspring Christian Center on Chicago’s south side and was nominated for song of the year by the Black Theater Alliance for his gospel song “Weep No More”. He also worked for fifteen years as music and choir director at the Third Unitarian Church of Chicago.
He is currently on the faculty of Columbia College Chicago where he teaches contemporary piano and keyboards.
Mike has played over 1,000 live shows, including opening for “Styx” and “Kansas”. Mike is known for having one of the most extensive “covers” repertoires spanning over six decades of some of the best loved classics. From Louis Armstrong to Coldplay, Johnny Cash to Pearl Jam, Mike’s energy and love of music transcends style or genre. Mike is a finely seasoned performer who delivers an unforgettable performance each and every time he takes the stage.
Bill Cessna is a Chicago based pianist paying homage to the great tradition of jazz piano- playing iconic repertoire, as well as presenting original material in the same idiom, with a mission to present memorable musical experiences for listeners of all ages and nationalities.
In 2009 Bill began his jazz piano studies on scholarship at Columbia College
Chicago. After graduating he quickly became part of Chicago’s Jazz and Salsa scenes, while also working as a chorale director, educator and clinician – conducting numerous jazz/improvisation master classes in Chicago, China, Korea, Myanmar and Singapore.
Since then he has become highly in-demand both as a sideman and bandleader performing in venues and festivals such as The Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Green Mill, Winter’s Jazz Club, Merriman’s Playhouse, Chicago Theater, Blue Note Beijing, JC Club, Old Town School of Folk Music, Hard Rock Café, House of Blues, Grant Park, the Chicago Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival and more.
While still working as an in-demand sideman, Bill has also begun leading his own trio throughout the Midwest. He just recently graduated from Western Michigan University with his masters’ degree in music.
“Doug n Jim from Small Town”
Doug n Jim are with the Tribute band Small Town “A John Mellencamp Experience”
When they are not on the stages performing the hits of Mellencamp, they are doing upbeat, fun acoustic shows all over the Midwest!
With over 20 years in the music industry, Doug n Jim have put together an acoustic show that will have everyone singing a long and or dancing along to their favorite hits from all genres!!
This acoustic show is an engaging fun experience for all ages!!
Chris and Lou have been performing throughout the Chicagoland Area together for over twenty years. Their skillful musicianship combined with vocal harmony is the key when it comes to creating acoustic versions of classic music from the 60s and beyond.
The duo covers all of your favorites from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin.
Tracy Boucher from Logansport IN and
Angell Morgan from Carmel IN
Play a variety of music, spanning decades. Music from the 90s through modern rock and pop country of today. Inspired by bands. Such as Matchbox 20, Oasis, The Cranberries, Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Luke Combs, Britney Spears. And many more
Pamela Rocha has been playing piano, singing vocals, and loving music since the 1980’s when she was just a kid. She has competed in piano competitions at a young age and has played with various musical acts throughout northwest Indiana over the past 30 years. Pamela also composes music and has also taken part in different recording projects. Along with loving performing, Pamela also enjoys teaching piano and music theory. Music is a way to communicate with others on a deeper level and that is what Pamela enjoys most about what she gets to do!
Monster Bash begins with DJ H2 when the doors open at 7 p.m. Eastern and will feature live music from the band, Libido Funk Circus from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.! $800 in prizes will be awarded to the best costumes of the night. First place will receive a $500 Four Winds Gift Card! A $200 Four Winds Gift Card will be awarded to second place and a $100 Four Winds Gift Card for third place! Costumes should not have masks, face paint, weapons, or props that look like weapons.
© Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Must be 21 years of age. Please play responsibly. Four Winds Casinos are Equal Opportunity Employers.