BackStage Pass returns to TV in the capital region on Saturday, September 16 at 10 p.m. on local PBS station WKAR.
Joshua Davis, international touring artist and 2016 finalist on NBC's The Voice, opens up season eight of this award-winning WKAR original series. The season rolls on through hip-hop, blues, indie rock and more, all recorded live at concerts and festivals in mid-Michigan.
In the season-opening episode, Davis plays "Let Me In," "The Little Things," and more from his newest album, "The Way Back Home." Backing up Davis is a group of top-notch musicians familiar to fans of live music in Michigan, including Drew Howard, pedal steel guitar; Mike Lynch, keyboards and accordion; Dominic John Davis, bass; and Michael Shimmin, drums and percussion. The episode was recorded in front of a capacity audience at WKAR Studio A on the campus of Michigan State University in March 2017.
Also appearing in season eight: Mama Sol and Tha N.U.T.S. (Sept. 23), Danielle Nicole (Sept. 30), Off the Ledge and Stella! (Oct. 7), Nicole New (Oct. 14), Bobby Murray (Oct. 21), Lowdown Brass Band (Oct. 28), The Crane Wives (Nov. 4), The Accidentals (Nov. 11) and a Best Of collection (Nov. 18). Artists and schedules are subject to change.
New Day and Time
Each hour-long episode premieres Saturdays at 10 p.m. on WKAR-TV (23.1, Comcast 4 & 1013, WOW 9 & 462). Followed by Austin City Limits at 11 p.m., the new time slot gives viewers a solid two hours of music from national and Michigan-based artists.
Streaming Full Episodes
Full episodes are available for streaming beginning with each first broadcast. View on iPad/iPhone, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox 360 and at video.wkar.org.
Partners and Support
JazzFest Lansing and Michigan BluesFest recordings are a co-production of WKAR at Michigan State University, Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art, and MessageMakers.
Supported in part by
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs
National Endowment for the Arts