If you’re like me, you can’t wait for all the summer festivities to begin. There is so much going on in Indianapolis and now Hoosiers can add another item to their list: the inaugural Midwest Music Festival.
This star-studded event will be June 6 and 7 and held at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.
This two-day concert is well worth the trip due to the fact that there are musical acts sure to please all. Following is a list of all the performers that promise to light up the stage.
June 6
Charlie Wilson
Charlie Wilson, also known as “Uncle Charlie,” is one of the most revered solo artists of our time. He was named Billboard Magazine’s No. 1 Adult R&B Artist and his song “There Goes My Baby” was named the No.1 Urban Adult Song in the 2009 Billboard Magazine. Wilson is also one of the original GAP Band members.
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan, also known as the Queen of Funk, has been an active singer and songwriter since 1972. Chaka’s wide genre of music includes R&B, jazz, funk, soul, disco, adult contemporary and gospel. It’s no surprise that Khan is a 10-time Grammy Award winner. Come spend an evening with Khan as she shares hits such as “Ain’t Nobody,” “I’m Every Woman” as well as her smash hit with group Rufus, “Tell Me Something Good.”
Lyfe Jennings
Lyfe Jennings began his colorful career in music in 2003 and is still going strong today. He is a platinum-selling R&B soul singer, songwriter and record producer. A talented performer, Jennings plays the guitar, bass and piano which he integrates into his music.
Ginuwine
Born Elgin Lumpkin, Ginuwine is an accomplished singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. Signed to Epic Records since the mid-1990s, Ginuwine has released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B’s top artists during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
June 7
Babyface
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds joins the Midwest Music Fest as a 10-time Grammy Award winner. He’s an R&B musician, singer, songwriter and record producer with over 26 No. 1 hits. Babyface is known for many hits such as “Whip Appeal,” “For the Cool in You,” and his latest album with singer Toni Braxton, “Love, Marriage & Divorce.”
Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton is an R&B singer songwriter, pianist, musician, record producer, actress, television personality and philanthropist. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards. Throughout the years, she has sold more than 66 million records worldwide establishing herself as an R&B icon.
Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album “Comin’ from Where I’m From” (2003), which featured the title track single “Comin’ from Where I’m From” and the follow-up “Charlene.” Hamilton’s new single, “Pray for Me,” is all the buzz. Last year, his album “Back to Love” was the follow-up to his 2008 gold-certified, No. 1-debuting album, “The Point of It All.”
KeKe Wyatt
Ketara “Keke” Wyatt, born in Indianapolis, is an R&B recording artist who became popular after a highly successful collaboration with R&B singer Avant. This led to her debut Certified Gold album “Soul Sista” in 2001, and a promising solo career with MCA Records. She is a skilled vocalist who successfully performs several genres of music including gospel, R&B, pop, country and opera. Wyatt is also a reality star on TV One’s hit “R&B Divas: Atlanta.”
Avant
A Chicago native, Avant was the first act signed to NBA great Magic Johnson’s Magic Johnson Music with his debut album, “My Thoughts.” His style of modern soul is likened to fellow Chicago-based singer R. Kelly. Avant is said to be a power-packed, story-telling, soulful singer/songwriter extraordinaire. He is also said to be a masterful crooner who gives his audiences a taste of new school and old school during his performances.
Midwest Music Festival tickets are available at the KFC Yum! Center box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000.
