The Thumb-based band “Ourselves” will be the featured entertainers Live on Stage at the Port Austin Farmers Market on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

Ourselves consists of brothers Tom and Walt Schlichting, and Lynn Surbrook. Ourselves performs Irish ballads, Americana, songs of Michigan and the Great Lakes, sea shanties, and might even throw in a couple of dance tunes or a little Hank Williams or Buddy Holly. 

The group has played many different venues over the years throughout Michigan. Tom sings lead and harmony vocals and plays guitar, harmonica, dulcimer and various backup instruments. Walt plays fiddle, mandolin, flute, mandola, concertina, tin whistle and “ukelele bass”. An incorrigible experimentalist, Walt has also built instruments, including a deerskin bodhran. Walt is the group’s multi-instrumentalist and often throws his voice into the mix as well. Lynn has a strong affinity for bluegrass and old country music and has sat in with Holy Mountain Boys and Black River Bluegrass Boys. He travels several times a year to music festivals around the country and this experience shows to good effect in the Ourselves mix. Lynn sings lead on some new songs he brought to the group, and adds guitar leads, mandolin chords and a nice new flavor to the sound. 

The entertainment runs from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. downtown at the stage adjacent to the historic gymnasium during the Farmers Market. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the free concert during Market hours. Complete information about the Port Austin Farmers Market can be found at www.portaustinfarmersmarket.com