Live Music to be Part of 2014 Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show

Attendees of the 52ndannual Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis will be able to not only get the latest information on what is available in home improvement and remodeling, but they will be able to experience live music while strolling the Show aisles.

Singer/songwriter Joe Richter will perform from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 14 and Sat., Feb. 15. At an early age and soon after seeing Billy Joel perform, Richter was inspired to teach himself to play piano, guitar, and harmonica. Currently performing as a solo artist, Richter was influenced by Van Morrison, Billy Joel, Marc Cohn, and Elvis Presley. His blend of acoustic folk/rock and pop led to the release of an acoustic EP, “Grace” in Feb. 2012.

The Show’s Outdoor Living Area will feature live entertainment presented by Dimension Design, Build, Remodel on Sat., Feb. 15 and Sun., Feb. 16 in the afternoon with the Tommy Greywolf and Liam Ford Duo.

A four-time Wisconsin Area Music Industry Instrumentalist of the Year with more than 30 years of performing, Greywolf toured two years with Brooks & Dunn, and he has performed in bands that have appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, and at the American Music Awards and the Country Music Awards.

Ford and his band won the 2008 and 2009 Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award for Best Rockabilly Band, plus was nominated in 2010 and 2011 for best band in the Americana Category. In addition to being a mainstay in the Milwaukee area music scene, Ford spent 10 years in Los Angeles, where he earned local recognition as the hard-rockin' leader of "Big Bang Theory", as well as other regional bands. Besides his dynamic vocals, Ford also delivers a high energy guitar performance along with on-stage charisma. He has recently gained state-wide recognition performing a Johnny Cash tribute, "The Twenty Greatest Hits of Johnny Cash" with Mark Shurilla and the Greatest Hits Band.

Cosponsored by the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council, Inc., and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the 2014 Show will provide Milwaukee/NARI, the area’s leading home improvement and remodeling industry resource for more than 52 years, with the opportunity to have its members demonstrate for consumers how they can “Put A Little Love in Your Home,” the theme for the Show.

More than 700 booth spaces covering the entire exposition center will feature providers of thousands of home improvement products and services, including kitchens, decks, cabinets, windows, bathrooms, siding, lighting, landscaping, media rooms, wall coverings, lower levels, roofing, fireplaces, and much more.

During the Show, educational presentations by home improvement experts and media celebrities will be held, including presentations on the A. Fillinger Seminar Demonstration Stage by Alison Victoria of HGTV’s “Kitchen Crashers” on Feb. 15 – 16, sponsored by Waste Management of WI, Melinda Myers, The Plant Doctor, Gus Gnorski, Lis Friemoth, “The Garden Hoe”, and Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, presented by J&B Construction. The Cooking Demonstration Stage will feature area chefs and national cooking celebrities, including Mad Dog & Merrill, the grilling buddies.

In addition, the Show will also feature an Outdoor Living Area with a “Wisconsin Wilderness” theme, an Interior Design Room Display contest between college students from four area colleges presented by Nehmey Construction, the “Get Your Motor Runnin’” garage display sponsored by American Garage Builders, the Schlossmann’s Automotive Group vehicle display, Captn Bob & Arlo appearances presented by Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio, a tablescape design competition, the Milwaukee/NARI Foundation fundraising raffle, a Kid’s Creative Zone presented by Special Spaces Wisconsin, live music Fri. – Sun., a mascot basketball game featuring Gerry, the Milwaukee/NARI Carpenter Ant mascot on Feb. 15 at 1:00 p.m., and more.

Hours on Thurs., Feb. 13 are noon – 8:00 p.m., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 14, and Sat., Feb. 15; and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 16. Admission is $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Tickets for those 60 and older are $5.00, with a special price of $4.00 at the door on Thurs., Feb. 13, for Senior Day sponsored by Callen Construction, Inc. Children 16 and younger and all military personnel with a military photo ID card will be admitted free.

For more information, visit www.milwaukeenari.org or call 414-771-4071.