Some Kind of Wonderful

Grand Funk Railroad stops at Good Life Festival

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Grand Funk Railroad laid the groundwork for mentees Foreigner, Journey, Van Halen and Bon Jovi with its signature rock sound and soulful vocals.

The Flint, Michigan, band’s legacy lives on with songs like “We’re an American Band,” “I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home,” “Locomotion” and “Some Kind of Wonderful” — all of which have been further covered by myriad acts. Grand Funk Railroad has collected 13 gold and 10 platinum records.

“I think the music we created way back in the ’70s is just honest rock ‘n’ roll,” says Don Brewer, founding member, vocalist and drummer. He wrote “We’re an American Band.”

“The songs touch people. They’re uplifting, and I think people relate to that. I love the fact that we get onstage and sing ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ every night and there are four generations of people and they’re all singing along to that song.”

Grand Funk Railroad will make a stop at the Shea Homes Good Life Festival at Schnepf Farms on Saturday, March 19, along with Jefferson Starship; Fran Cosmo and Anton Cosmo, formerly of Boston; and Phoenix’s Nate Nathan and the Mac Daddy-O’s.

Sunday, March 20, sees Buena Vida Festival presented by Subaru with Latin artists El Coyote y Su Banda Tierra Santa and Lupillo Rivera.

Good Life Festival also features preconcert wine, craft beer and bourbon tastings, and a local food and boutique marketplace.

Joining Brewer is co-founder Mel Schacher, singer Max Carl (formerly of 38 Special), lead guitarist Bruce Kulick and keyboardist Tim Cashion. Grand Funk will soon embark on a tour with fellow Michigander Kid Rock, who claims it’s his last jaunt.

“It’s a great band,” Brewer says of the current iteration of Grand Funk Railroad. “We’ve been touring with this band for 22 years. It’s a great show. It’s an uplifting show. It’s a very high-energy, rock ‘n’ roll show with all the Grand Funk hits, as well as song Grand Funk staples.”

Grand Funk Railroad is, from left, guitarist Bruce Kulick, bassist Mel Schacher, vocalist Max Carl, drummer Don Brewer and keyboardist Tim Cashion. (Photo by Allen Clark)

Shea Homes Good Life Festival schedule Saturday, March 19

Gates open at 2 p.m. with food, beverages and a boutique marketplace to enjoy. Concert lineup and schedule includes: 3 p.m.: Nate Nathan and the Mac Daddy-O’s 4:30 p.m.: Fran Cosmo and Anton Cosmo 6 p.m.: Jefferson Starship 7:45 p.m.: Grand Funk Railroad Tickets: $100 to $150 for reserved seating; $75 for general admission. VIP tickets are a $46 upgrade add-on and feature access to separate bar and upgraded restroom facilities. Tickets limited at thegoodlifefest. com. Glamping: $300 (sold out); RV campsites: $150. For details, visit https://bit.ly/ GoodLifeSchnepfFarms. Beverage tasting passports: $25, available online. Passports provide 10 samples of wine, craft beer and/or bourbon tastings. Regular bars will be available for full drink purchases for those 21 and older.

Sunday, March 20

Gates open at noon with food, beverages and a boutique marketplace to enjoy. Concert lineup and schedule includes: 1 p.m.: Lupillo Rivera 2:30 p.m.: El Coyote y Su Banda Tierra Santa Tickets: $60 to $95 for reserved seating; $45 for general admission; free for children ages 12 and younger. VIP tickets are a $46 upgrade add-on and feature access to separate bar and upgraded restroom facilities. Tickets limited at thegoodlifefest.com.

Glamping: $300 (sold out); RV campsites: $150. For details, visit https://bit.ly/ GoodLifeSchnepfFarms.

Beverage tasting passports: $25, available online. Passports provide 10 samples of wine, craft beer and/or bourbon tastings. Regular bars will be available for full drink purchases for those 21 and older. General parking is $10; premium parking is $40. Handicap parking is available with a valid placard or license plate. Walking distance from lots to event site can range from 100 yards to 250 yards, depending on arrival time and resulting parking location.

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