Article Contributed by Dan Ward
Published on 2026-10-12
Chicken Wire Empire | The Livery | Benton Harbor, MI - photos by Dan Ward
The fall weather is as predictable as ever here in the Midwest. Morning and evening temperatures can feel worlds apart, and tonight the mercury is climbing back toward 80 degrees. Is it a warm Pacific breeze or the peppery Wisconsin band waiting in the green room?
One thing is certain: Chicken Wire Empire is as hot as asphalt in August.
Tonight they've packed The Livery in Benton Harbor to the rafters. The pizza is hot, the beer is cold, and all signs point toward an epic night.
The band hits the stage at exactly 8:30 p.m., and from the first note until the set break they never let up. Seventy-five straight minutes of some of the finest bluegrass this side of the Blue Ox. These grassers are the real deal.
Ernest Brusubardis IV on fiddle and vocals takes command immediately, blazing through “Going Across the Sea” with fiery fiddle work and energetic vocals. Starr Moss on guitar and vocals steps into the spotlight next on “Likes of Me.”
A cascading run of scales launches a trio of tunes: “Lonely Night,” “Ocean Tiger,” and “Cazadero,” with Jordan Kroeger on bass and vocals delivering strong lead vocals throughout. Jon Peik on banjo and vocals adds rich harmonies to every song, helping create the band's signature sound.
The group rolls through “Can't You Hear Me” before Carter Shilts on mandolin and vocals takes the lead on “Fiddling Around,” a newer tune written just a year and a half ago.
The first set closes with “Say Goodbye,” “I'll Be Gone,” “High Lonesome Sound,” “Still,” and “Salt Creek,” each performed with precision and heart.
The highlight of the set came when Ernest played an entire strain using natural harmonics. By lightly touching the strings, he coaxed out ghostly notes an octave higher than expected. The sound was haunting and beautiful, sending a chill through the room and leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
By intermission, the room has been superheated by blistering instrumentals and nonstop dancing. It's the perfect excuse for a cold pint and a stroll out back to cool off in the evening breeze.
Nights this close to Lake Michigan are always special, but autumn adds its own magic. The setting sun splashes the sky with shades of orange and pink, and the crew at The Livery often keeps a fire crackling for anyone looking to take the edge off the cooling air.
After a brief break, the band returns with another barn burner, opening the second set with “Another One More,” “Fiddle and Song,” and “40 West.” Their energy never fades. The runs are crisp, the harmonies are spot-on, and they play with the freshness of musicians who have just stepped onstage.
The set continues to build momentum with their stellar version of “Steam Powered Aero Plane.” Then they ease off the throttle with “Manz Vibez,” which flows seamlessly into the eerie beauty of “Manzanita.” The pairing is downright magical.
They keep the mood mellow with “Let Him Go On, Mama,” a new traditional song that feels far older than its years. Before long, the temperature rises again with “If You Are Ever in Oklahoma,” followed by the spirited “Ballad of Dan Toe.”
The journey heads back to Wisconsin for “Northern White Clouds” before the band tackles “Ship of Fools,” a performance they deliver with remarkable confidence and finesse.
As the evening winds down, Chicken Wire Empire serves up more of the feel-good tunes that have become their trademark. Fans crowd the dance floor, bringing the historic venue to life and proving once again that bluegrass is best experienced shoulder-to-shoulder with a room full of smiling people.
The band is wrapping up a tour and heading home to Wisconsin. If you ever find yourself in the Badger State, make a point of looking them up.
You'll be glad you did.
