The Sturgeon Bay Memorial Bridge on Michigan Street has long been an object of controversy in Door County, Wisconsin. Time after time, the 80-year-old landmark has had to prove its worth to avoid the wrecking ball. Since 2005, songwriters from across the United States have come to Sturgeon Bay on the second weekend in June with one purpose in mind: to save the old bridge. The Construction Zone is a week of collaborative songwriting that is part of the annual festival. Writing takes place in motel rooms, coffee shops, down by the waterside, and all over town. Internationally known artists like Jackson Browne and Jane Wiedlin hang out with local and emerging musicians, including national acts. The Steel Bridge Songfest has rapidly become a new Door County tradition, and now more people seem to be loving that old bridge--now recognized by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Steel Bridge Songfest, with its infusion of new songs written solely for the event is truly a first-of-its-kind festival, merging musical inspiration with historic preservation and creating the world's largest collection of music inspired by a bridge.
The writers and artists all volunteer their time, energy, and creativity to this project. Royalties are donated to the Steel Bridge Fund. Songs by: Chris Bishop, Emilie Rose Bishop, Tony Brown, Landon Capelle, Lumberjack Cash, ellen cherry (Kristin Putchinski), Jentri Colello, Kacy Crowley, Victor DeLorenzo, Danielle Gasparro, Kata Rhe Gillispie, Louise Goffin, Dixie Jacobs, Mike Mangione, Ellie Maybe, Dan Mayhew, Jeremiah Nelson, Lynda Kay Parker, John Pippus, Seth Raddatz, Pete Ress, Chris Simmons, Jim Troglin, Zak V, Corinna Wanish, Sara Wasserman, Dustin Welch, and Rick Younglove