DETROIT LAKES — Dolly Parton, Cher, Linda Ronstadt, Janis Joplin, Heart, Stevie Nicks, Madonna, Pat Benatar ... this is just a sampling of the iconic female artists whose music will be highlighted during "Wild Angels: The Women of Rock, Pop and Country," a new tribute show coming to Detroit Lakes' Historic Holmes Theatre this Friday, Nov. 11.
Singer-songwriter Pamela McNeill, whom many Holmes Theatre regulars will remember from past appearances at shows including "Rock & Roll Christmas," "Rumours and Dreams" and "What's Goin' On," will be joined by Mary Jane Alm and Aimée Lee to headline the show, which starts at 7:30 p.m.
“The three of us are best friends and you can hear that in our harmonies," said McNeill, who serves as the show's producer. "We know each other inside and out, and it’s like we can read each other’s musical thoughts.
"We all have different strengths that we bring to the show," she added. With that in mind, "Wild Angels" is a unique blend of musical genres.
"I’ve always wanted to do a show where we could feature many of the greatest female artists of our generation," McNeill said. "I really wanted it to be not just one genre, but to hit the whole gamut — country, rock, pop, blues ..."
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One night, when the three women were at McNeill's home to celebrate her birthday, they were cleaning up after the party when a favorite song of theirs, Adele's "Someone Like You," started playing and they were singing along with the track.
"Someone picked up the cell phone and recorded it, and put it up on Facebook," McNeill recalled. Though they were just having fun, laughing and singing along with the music, the reaction on the social media platform was so positive that they decided to begin making plans for the show that eventually became "Wild Angels."
"That was about 10 years ago now," McNeill said. "It's just been a real joy to perform."
Though each of them takes a turn in the spotlight, she added, "The harmonies are the star. It's really fun for us to sing together. We all know each other's voices so well."
The trio will also be backed by a seven-piece band of A-list Minnesota musicians, known collectively as The Handsome Devils. The band features some of the Upper Midwest’s finest, including:
- Boyd Lee – acoustic guitar, banjo and vocals
- Jay Graf – electric guitar
- Brian C. Peters – pedal steel and electric guitars
- Richard Kriehn – fiddle and mandolin
- Michael Dripps – keyboards
- Dik Shopteau – bass guitar
- Ben Kaplan – drums
"We have a really smoking band," McNeill said. "They're incredible."
She added that the show is perfect for a "girl's night out," but also for a "hot date night." It consists of two hour-long sets, with a short intermission in between, though sometimes the second set runs longer depending on how many encore songs they do.
"It's just a really fun, uplifting show," she said. "If you’re looking for something that will make you smile and feel good, with great harmonies, this is the show for you. We're excited to be bringing it to Detroit Lakes."
If you go
What: "Wild Angels-The Women of Rock, Pop and Country"
Where: Historic Holmes Theatre, 806 Summit Ave., Detroit Lakes
When: Friday, Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Who: Featuring three of Minnesota’s most beloved singers — Pamela McNeill (“RRXS Rock and Roll Christmas Spectacular,” “Rumours and Dreams – A Fleetwood Mac Tribute,” “What’s Going on – Songs from the Vietnam War Era”); Minnesota Music Hall of Fame Inductee Mary Jane Alm and Aimée Lee (“Rainy Days and Mondays – The Music of The Carpenters”) — who are backed by a phenomenal 7-piece band, “The Handsome Devils.”
How: Tickets are available online at
dlccc.org/holmes-theatre.html
, by phone at 218-844-7469, or in person at the Holmes Box Office, open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday as well as for two hours prior to every show. Cost is $28 for adults and $14 for students.
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Before you go, stop by the art show
The show "Wild Angels" will be preceded by the second day of the 19th Annual Holmes Art Show. The show, which runs Nov. 10-12, takes place in the ballroom that's located just across the hallway from the main theater.
"We have over 30 artists from our region signed up," said show coordinator Carmen McCullough. "We’ll be showcasing a lot of talent in our newly remodeled ballroom.
"We have some returning favorites: Brakken Rourke, Carmen Bruhn, Kurt and Deb Anderson, Bonnie Juma, Deanna Nelson and more," she continued, "and we are also excited to feature new (to the show) artists including: Kara Schumann, Val Voigt, Maggie Peterson, Mary Bratrud, Marie Williams and more."
For a full listing of artists, visit dlccc.org/artcellar.html . The artists will be selling their work during the show.
"Also new this year, we will be having artist swag bags," said McCullough, adding that a drawing will be held on each of the show's three days to give away a new bag of artist-provided goodies.
Show hours are as follows: Thursday, Nov. 10, 4-7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission to the art show is free of charge.
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