STURGEON BAY, Wis. — Blues with a good grove: That’s how Cathy Grier and The Troublemakers describe their brand of music.

You might find also find a message in some of the lyrics.

“I’m about happiness, good feelings and maybe poking the bees nest a little bit — not to get people stung — but to be aware,” said Grier.

She moved to Sturgeon Bay from New York City five years ago. She’s since put down her roots — both personally and artistically — in the Door County city of about 9,000 people.

That includes a band: The Troublemakers.

“The band is all about that same concept of feeling good: Really good songs that have a bit of a message maybe, even if it’s just Happiness Blues,” Grier said. “You can have the blues and be happy at the same time because the sun comes up somewhere in the world.”

Tony Menzer is the bass player in The Troublemakers. He was rehearsing with Grier on a recent Wednesday night.

Playing with the group confirmed for him that he's right where he needs to be.

“I feel like I did when I was 13,” he said with a laugh. “It’s like, ‘This is it. This is what I need to do.’”

Menzer said the connection to Grier and the other musicians runs deep.

“The first and foremost thing is we’re all deep friends and we all love each other and we all look out for each other,” he said.

Grier and the band are veterans of Summerfest having played it in the past. That doesn’t diminish the excitement of the upcoming gig on the Generac Stage at 2 p.m. on Sept. 16.

“It’s gives us the chance to really do our show,” she said. “Those stages are made for shows and to connect with the audience in a way that’s different than playing in an intimate club or a bar. It means to me, to be asked back, that we’re doing our job."