Of course Traverse City rocks, and just to prove it we caught up with a handful of locals who push paper or sit at desks by day, but let their hair down and hit the stage come Friday night.

Curbside
Being a rock star in a local band might be something to brag about. But in the beginning Tom Barrons, co-owner of Byte Productions, kept his alter-ego under wraps.

“It was intentional when we first started the business,” says Barrons. I wanted to be taken seriously so I definitely kept it guarded. Now after almost 20 years in a successful business, I don’t worry if somebody knows.”

Barrons is one of the lead singers and bass guitarists for Curbside, a local cover band. The band performs at northern Michigan bars, where Barrons will sometimes run into a client.

“Their reaction is typically one of surprise,” says Barrons. “But that goes both ways. I’m usually playing in a loud, dark, rock n’ roll bar, seeing my clients cut loose in that context can be equally surprising for me.”

Song of the Lakes & Wild Sullys
As a family therapist he’s known as Michael J. Sullivan, but in his band, Song of the Lakes, he’s called “The Average Guy.”

“My other three band mates are so colorful, that I’m the person people forget about the most,” says Sullivan who sings, plays guitar, and writes many of the band’s songs. “I’m like George of the Beatles.”

The band specializes in folk music and has been together more than 25 years. In addition to performing thousands of concerts in the TC area, it has also played for crowds in Europe, including a jazz festival in Switzerland where it opened for Van Morrison and the Pretenders.

Sullivan, who says his brain is wired to play music, started another band four years ago. Wild Sullys plays a combination of Irish and Motown music. Sullivan says he would never quite his day job where he helps people and could also never give up his music career where he entertains people. “The jobs compliment each other. One is a world of reality, and the other is a world of pretend.”

Judy Harrison & Swing Shift and ReBooted
During the day, you can find web developer Clark Harner of Cadence Digital banging away on his computer keyboard. But come the weekend, he lets loose and bangs away on his drums for Judy Harrison & Swing Shift and ReBooted (formerly High Impact).

Swing Shift debuted 13 years ago at the TC Opera House and plays mainly swing, jazz, and Latin music. ReBooted pumps up the volume and plays country and classic rock music and has opened for several national shows including Alan Jackson.

Harner, who began playing drums at the age of three, has been performing in one band or another for the past 27 years. He says he’s not expecting to be signed by a major record label anytime soon, but admits he could always be swayed to give up the daily grind of his professional job if he had the chance to make it big.

“As a company owner I’d probably still keep the business, but I would definitely have to find someone to take over operations.”

SoulKast
Their music style has been compared to Dave Matthews, Bare Naked Ladies, and Beck. SoulKast is made up of five professional guys from the Traverse City area. The band was formed five years ago when two former bands (Full Kast and Soul Digger) merged.

Dave Crater is a business entrepreneur and plays the guitar and sings for the band. He has also written all but one of the group’s original songs.

Crater says when his clients find out he’s in a band, it can be an icebreaker.

“It really sets a relaxing tone. People love to know that you are in a band and always want to be entertained by live music.”

He says he’s living out a dream-- businessman, husband, and father by day and rock star by night. To him, it’s the perfect combination in the perfect place.

“We live in the most amazing town, get to play the best clubs, pursue our art and passions and being around an amazing group of guys. We feel we have already made it big when you look at pure lifestyle and satisfaction.”

Upcoming Performances:
Curbside:
Sept. 3 & 4
The Villa in Frankfort

Song of the Lakes:
Sept. 10
TC Opera House

Judy Harrison & Swing Shift:
Sept. 3
Swingshift and the Stars 2010 Kick-off event at TC Opera House

SoulKast:
Sept. 3
Union Street Station in TC