Island Resort & Casino announces headline acts

Michigan’s Island Resort & Casino – home to the brand new Sweetgrass Golf Club – has announced a series of national touring acts scheduled to headline the Island Showroom.

Kicking off the schedule will be the Oak Ridge Boys – long known for hits such as “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Dream On” and “Thank God for Kids.” The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs kick off the holidays with the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Celebration 2008. Shows are December 12 through 14.

“We’re extremely excited to have the world-renowned Oak Ridge Boys headline the holiday season here at the Island Resort & Casino,” says General Manager Tom McChesney. “Guests have grown accustomed to seeing the finest touring acts in the country – such as Huey Lewis & the News, Martina McBride and the Blues Brothers – and that won’t stop. 2009 is already shaping up to be a banner year in the Island Showroom.”

January is highlighted by the appearance of Styx (Jan. 30 and 31), while February features Creedence Clearwater Revisited (Feb. 13 and 14) and March goes out like a lion with George Thorogood and The Destroyers (March 27 and 28). June will mark the return of actor/ comedian Brad Garrett (June 5 and 6).

“We cannot be more pleased to begin the year with such an explosive lineup of dynamic stars,” says Marketing Director Susan K. Harris. “Everyone is familiar with these groups. They’re some of the greatest rock artists ever and Brad Garrett is absolutely superb.”

A platinum recording group, Styx is known for familiar hits like “Lady,” “Come Sail Away” and “Blue Collar Man.” Their music possesses the full vocal and instrumental power that continues to draw new fans to their pure sounds.

With two original members, Creedence Clearwater Revisited is the latest chapter in a now four-decade long journey that began in the 60s with classics like “Suzie Q,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Run Through the Jungle” and “Who’ll Stop the Rain.”

George Thorogood & The Destroyers, complete with 30-plus years of a hard-charging mix of rock-blues, have spawned such classics as “Bad to the Bone” and “Born to Be Bad.”

Emmy-award-winning actor Brad Garrett, perhaps best-known for his sitcom role on Everybody Loves Raymond, is also an award-winning stand-up comedian who got his start by winning the $100,000 first-place prize as Grand Champion comedian in 1984’s Star Search. That led to his first appearance on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and, eventually, to his appearing with such headliners as Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra and Smokey Robinson. Garret’s performances are for mature audiences only.

Owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, the Island Resort & Casino has drawn international attention this summer with the introduction of Sweetgrass Golf Club, designed by Paul Albanese.

Located in the unspoiled beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Island Resort & Casino and Sweetgrass Golf Club are easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette.

Tickets for shows (all shows 8 p.m. EST except the Friday George Thorogood show, which begins at 9 p.m.) can be purchased at the casino.

For more information on the Island Showroom, the casino or Sweetgrass Golf Club, log on to islandresortandcasino.com.