"Gravity Wont hold us down, we'll rise above this town"

1000 Watt Prophets are a Michigan-based roots-funk powerhouse blending Americana, New Orleans groove, and soul-forward rock into a high-energy, deeply musical live experience. Featuring veteran players from the Midwest festival circuit, the band delivers songs that feel both road-worn and urgent, driven by deep pocket rhythms, rich harmonies, and a relentless commitment to the groove.

1000 Watt Prophets is a band that has always strived to rise above. Born out of a 20+ year friendship and musical alliance between Zak Bunce (vocals/guitar) and Denny Richards (bass/vocals), the group has worked its way up from duo shows at small venues to a full-band lineup playing festivals and concert series throughout their home base of Northwestern Michigan.

2025 became a banner year for the group. They began taking a more serious approach to songwriting, drummer Sean Reisig (drums/vocals) passed the tenured mark, ending what had been a rotating lineup, and the band added multi-instrumentalist Brett McDowell (fiddle/sax/keys/vocals) to bring some extra musical color to the mix.

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The 2026 'Music in the Air' Summer Concert Series

Relax and enjoy free live music all summer long on the lawn of the Old Art Building. Our sixth season of Music in the Air summer concert series will consist of 8 bands, all with different music styles and moods.

Don't forget to pack a picnic dinner and bring your lawn chairs or blankets!