FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  Rory Block, Ember Swift Trio, Willy Porter & Melissa Ferrick Confirmed To
  Perform Porcupine Mountains Music Festival 2006

    March 17, 2006 - (TXT) (DOC)

   Organizers of the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival are pleased and
   excited to announce that acclaimed guitarist, singer and songwriter,
   Telarc recording artist RORY BLOCK has signed on as Saturday's headliner
   for the 2006 Porcupine Mountains Music Festival. The festival will take
   place Friday, August 25th through Sunday, August 27th in the ski
   hill/chalet area of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park located
   on the south shore of Lake Superior in Ontonagon County -- the heart of
   Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula.

   Heralded as "a living landmark" (Berkeley Express), "a national treasure"
   (Guitar Extra), and "one of the greatest living acoustic blues artists"
   (Blues Revue), Rory Block has committed her life and her career to
   preserving the Delta blues tradition and bringing it to life for 21st
   century audiences around the world. A traditionalist and an innovator at
   the same time, she wields a fiery and haunting guitar and vocal style that
   redefines the boundaries of acoustic blues and folk. She brought home W.C.
   Handy Awards four years in a row - two for Traditional Blues Female Artist
   of the Year (1997 & 1998), and two for Best Acoustic Blues Album of the
   Year ("When a Woman Gets the Blues" in 1996 & "Confessions of a Blues
   Singer" in 1999). Rory was also inducted to the CAMA Hall of Fame in 1997.
   Her latest recording is "From the Dust" (2005).

   Other performers confirmed for this "not to be missed" Upper Peninsula
   music event to take place August 25th -27th include:

     EMBER SWIFT TRIO: Canadian Indie music sensation Ember Swift's
     particular brand of politically charged folk-jazz-funk music has
     garnered ardent fan frenzy and rave critical acclaim from across Canada,
     the U.S., and Australia.

     WILLY PORTER: Hailing from the swamps of Milwaukee, WI, Willy Porter is
     a seasoned solo performer who honed his songs and his chops traveling
     across America and Europe playing to captive audiences everywhere. His
     songs are equal parts muscle and intimacy, and reveal a rarely achieved
     relationship between an artist and his craft. Porter has forged a
     connection to his fans from his earliest performing experiences that
     would continue to reverberate even when opening for the audiences of
     artists like Tori Amos and Paul Simon. Porter's latest release is titled
     "High Wire Live".

     MELISSA FERRICK: A folk artist that is both a powerhouse vocalist and
     masterful guitarist with a constantly deepening catalog of songs. In
     2000, Melissa launched her own label, Right On Records.

   Don and Linda Kermeen, festival founders are proud to have Rory Block
   headlining this year's festival. Don said about Rory Block, "her
   reputation precedes her music and accomplishments. We are also pleased to
   have Ember Swift returning and welcome Willy Porter and Melissa Ferrick.
   Once again we will offer a wide variety of music in a beautiful and
   natural setting." Booking Coordinator, Zach Miller explains, "As a
   frequent tourist to this little slice of paradise, I am so excited to
   bring these amazing musicians to the Porkies. Sitting on the ski hill
   surrounded by hundreds of wonderful people, listening to great music,
   while watching the sunset over Lake Superior was a highlight for me.
   Experiences like that make the hundreds of hours spent organizing the
   festival worthwhile."

   Visit the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival website at
   http://www.porkiesfestival.org/ for more information, including updated
   performance schedules, venue and ticket information. Tickets for the 2006
   Porcupine Mountains Music Festival can be purchased through the website or
   at the following Ontonagon area locations: mBank, Ontonagon County
   Historical Museum, Superior Shores Resort and Peterson's Cottages. Take
   advantage of this LIMTED TIME OFFER: ACT NOW and receive a 20% DISCOUNT on
   weekend passes. For more information on the Porcupine Mountains Music
   Festival including sponsorship and to find out how you can donate or
   volunteer your time, visit the website or call Linda or Don Kermeen at
   1-800-344-5355.

   Contact: Linda or Don Kermeen                            
   Friends of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park 
   800-344-5355                                             
   festival@porkiesfestival.org