Country musicians making a name in Wisconsin
They call themselves Wisconsin's best-kept secret. However, after winning the FM 106.1 Battle of the Bands contest and earning a Summerfest appearance and opening for Sara Evans at the Racine County Fair last year, 4 Lane Hwy's secret is getting out.
The local country band was a top finalist in the Wisconsin Association of Music Industry Peoples Choice Award for Southeast Wisconsin and a 2010 Battle of the Bands Hodag Country Pick-off. The band's schedule this summer is quickly filling with appearances at Mukwonago Lions Club Summerfeste on June 18, the Hodag Country Music Fest in Rhinelander July 19 and the Racine County Fair on July 31.
Weekends are filled with performances, but the band wouldn't have it any other way.
"This is what I love to do," said Al Kittelson, a 1976 East Troy High School graduate. "I like to entertain people and make them have fun."
Al started playing country at a young age. He started 4 Lane Hwy several years ago and convinced his high school buddy Jeff Brinkman, a 1976 Mukwonago High School graduate, to play country music with him. A rock musician at heart, Jeff had never played country but didn't want to close this door opened by his friend without knowing what was on the other side.
The switch from rock to country opened doors to the biggest shows with the best band Jeff said he's ever played in.
"If it had not been for Al, I wouldn't be here," Jeff said. "It would have never happened if I had said no to country."
Lead guitarist Beau Keckeisen of Milwaukee led the group to the newest member of the band, Adam Van Koningsveld of Racine. Pete Scheckel of Salem takes the lead for male vocals, and when the group met Angie Walker, "it just came right down to it, she had to be part of the band," Al said.
Known as "Lucy" in the band - a nickname she picked up playing softball - Angie and Pete provide good chemistry and offer the band versatility for songs requiring either lead male or female vocals or duets. Both church singers, the two complement each other with a wide range of high and low notes. They are both good at listening as they perform.
"We try to complement each other and not overpower each other," Angie said.
When fans ask the lead vocalists if they are married, the two respond, yes, but to other people. They both credit enormous support from their spouses and families who allow them to enjoy "the best hobby you could ever have," as well as Angie's fans from her Seniorcise class - a group of 20 to 30 seniors ages 55 to 90.
As the band came together, Al's brother Mike Kittelson stepped in as the backbone of the group handling the sound equipment, the band's website, Facebook page and bookings. After working for big production companies and now owner of his own production company, Crowbar Productions, stepping into the role for 4 Lane Hwy was easy.
"It's so easy to do good sound for a whole stage of professionals," Mike said. "It's easy when you have a good band."
While the group sings a variety of country favorites, they haven't had time to sit down and arrange any original songs.
"We're having fun playing other people's songs," said Al.
Visit www.4lanehwy.com to see the band's schedule, or visit the group's page on Facebook.
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Photo of the Week by Scott Ash:
MANY HATS - Kathy LaShelle from the Town of Merton tries on a handmade hat from Jo's Feltz at the Delafield Winter Market on Sunday, Jan 15. The market is an indoor farmers market and craft fair located at the Delafield Fish Hatchery on the third Sunday of each month through April.
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