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Band History
 In 1996, the midwest's Willamena set out to combine outstanding songwriting with high-energy roots rock. The band's story-telling lyrics, seamless guitar work, and exceptional work ethic have earned critics respect with an award-winning live show.
Willamena's timely, polished sound begins with Lucas Ross (lead vocals/guitar) and Chad Hendrickson (lead guitar/vocals). The duo's songwriting brings a truly fresh approach to classic roots rock by combining smooth, grooving elements, lush guitars, and driving rhythm. With the addition of Chris Newman (bass, vocals), and Ted Mitchell (drums), Willamena amps up the classic singer-songwriter style into a big-time, high-octane, rock-n-roll experience.
After releasing their first (and well-received) CD HIGH PRICE TO PAY in 1997, Willamena gigged relentlessly, opening for such touring acts as Fishbone, Big Brother and the Holding Company, SR-71, Nine Days, and many others. Eventually, Willamena earned a reputation as the hardest-working band in Michigan, and surpassed over 140 other acts to win the Grand Rapids-based Aris Hampers/101.3FM Hometown Rock Search (2001-2002). 
In May, 2002, Willamena released their second album, GHOST OF JULY, to excellent local reviews, selling out in short order. The band's second CD had a sharp focus, a rich sound, and it packed a big punch.
Lucas (Luke) Ross
Lead vocal, guitar, songwriting.
 Born in Alma, Michigan, Lucas went to Gull Lake Schools. In addition to his natural affinity for control of fire, Willamena's lead vocalist has a firebrand style and unusual control within his vocal range.
Perhaps the most extroverted member of the band, it is difficult not to find a way to laugh in his presence. His musical history, for example, is most unique. "At the age of fourteen, a traveling salesman traded me a singing frog for my favorite hat. The frog educated me classically using the Frösh method. He died tragically in a freak accident involving a cinder block and a bowl of cherries, leaving my training only partially completed. Due to the training I received, I pursued guitar and harmonica to make up for my inadequate vocal education."
In the past, he has played with bands such as Fluorescent Yellow Rubber Band, Tomfoolery, the Supercool, and numerous Silvio Rodriguez cover bands."
Among his favorite things: hammocks, gypsies, nymphs, candy, TV, genetic manipulation (Pre-Cambrian) and happy trails. And true to his name, he has spent many hours in front of an X-box playing Star Wars.
Chad Hendrickson
Lead guitar, vocals, songwriting.
 Chad's guitar inspirations are easy to pick out; The Edge, Peter Buck, Neil Young, Elmore James, and Dickie Betts; but his songwriting influence a bit more diverse; old Dylan, Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Sex Pistols, Roger Miller , and Chuck Berry.
His music career began in 1990 in the original rock band Focal Point, and moved on to the very successful 10-piece soul band called the Velvet Groove Cats. Both of these projects allowed him to experiment with very diverse forms of songwriting.
Afterwards, he formed The Druthers, an alternative R&B band, before forming Willamena in 1996. Willamena allows Chad to "meld original rock, R&B backbeat, and old soul music."
Chad wraps up the "Willamena experience" by relating what he feels he's gained from the band. "We've played all over the place in a variety of very cool venues and parties, including a parade float, an old cemetary house (where it all started for Willamena), and in converted churches. I don't think I could ask for a better time than I've had with Willamena.
"Keep On Rockin' "
Ted (Teddy) Robert Mitchell
The band's "Right Hand Man" at the Percussion.
 The runt (both youthfully and in raw size) of the band, Teddy Mitchell, was born as a self-described "sickly premie" at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. If his father (Ted Sr.) hadn't won the battle (against a fully drugged Gladys) in naming Teddy, we might be calling him Kevin.
Little Teddy grew a bit during the next 18 years in Newaygo, MI., a country town known for its fishing and hunting tourism. Unbeknownst to each other until much later, Teddy grew up just a few miles from Chad Hendrickson's similar hometown of Hesperia. In this youthful time, Teddy decided to take up drumming. His first memory of flirtation with the percussive arts was at age 2, when he beat in rhythm on the side of our dishwasher with a rubber dog bone toy.
He knew he was a drummer since before he could remember. His parents were all too aware of this fact. Trying to soften him up so he didn't become "some guy who beat on stuff, surrounded by a bunch of musicians," they made him take piano lessons from his neighbor/spinster, Eva McCann. Hating every minute, he learned one important thing - how to read music.
In Newaygo Middle School at age 10, Teddy got to bang on his first real drumkit. His band director, Jim Engemann, taught him some basics and then unleashed him on the world by hooking him up with two-year stint as drummer for Grand Rapids Catholic Central's Junior Jazz Band.
In high school, he became more deeply entrenched in the burgeoning Newaygo County music scene. Drumming in the marching, concert, and jazz bands under the direction of Jeff Ayres, Teddy continued his beat. Practicing in his basement with the bebop/cool jazz outfit The People Under the Stairs, as well as the rock bands Child Support and Chubb (two members now in the metal band Drench), he honed his talent. High school lead to his love of jazz, metal, grunge, and prog rock, and an increased technical ability thanks to the instruction of Greg Secor and Tim Froncek.
Heading off to the University of Michigan, Teddy didn't let academics sterilize his musical interest. His first stint with original bands included 'pop' outfits Double Parked and Rarely Seen. He ended his undergraduate career with the indie/punk/grunge band Fell in a Well. Degree and teaching certificate in hand, he left Ann Arbor for Kalamazoo and his first teaching gig. The teaching was a blast, but initially he didn't have much luck with the local music scene. Moving to Chicago to tackle teaching at Chicago Public Schools in fall of ought 02, Teddy was ready to begin anew.
But something in Kalamazoo was still calling. Actually, it was a call from Willamena guitarist and songwriter, Chad Hendrickson. Willamena needed a drummer; and Teddy was happy to oblige. Teddy got to know Chad and Lucas, and then auditioned. Needless to say, despite his distance, Teddy won out. Teddy's out-of-state status and the burdensome commute for Kalamazoo practices and shows is a sign of his committment to the music and the great time he has playing with Willamena. Teddy has also used his Chicago presence to help the band in its new focus on playing in the Windy City.
According to Teddy, "As long as we keep playing great music and have a hell of a lot of fun doing it", he'll keep on racking up the miles.
Chris Newman
Bass Guitar, vocals
 Like life, biography still being written. Like all Newman's, this Newman is still a mystery. MC. |
