Well Hello There

If you're looking for something to do this week, you're only a click away from seeing what's happening. NorthernSpin.com can fill in the blanks for folks who love Michigan and want their inside connection to Northern & Western Michigan events. Simple click here on the Event Calendar to see what's happening in your area or scroll down to see what lurks below. Thank you for checking us out and allowing NorthernSpin.com to be your source for finding all the happenings in Michigan. Be sure to put in your email so that we can keep ya updated, not in an annoying way, but through a pleasant email once in a while. Peace out my friends! - Brian Sweebe, Editor.

John Michael Montgomery Plays Coleman, MI

United by Sacrifice, an event featuring country singer John Michael Montgomery and other great local talent.  This concert event will take place in May at the Coleman Veterens Memorial in Coleman, MI.

So here's the deal, since there's some time between now and the event, you can help organziners get the word out and help by becoming a sponsor. Sponsors get all sorts of great stuff for their donation, company logo on event sponsor list, logo on T-Shirts (which I'm sure everyone will want), all media releases, 10 event passes and other great stuff.  Bottom line is this.  Step up, help a great organization do great things and enjoy a great show.

For more detail, please visit www.colemanveteransmemorial.org or contact Corey Diehl @ 989.948.2014 or Jim Johnston 989.205.1269

Do something that makes a difference.

West Bay Holiday Inn Gets a Makeover


 A multi-million dollar renovation has started at the West Bay Holiday Inn in Traverse City.  and is expected to be completed in sometime in May 2013. The Holiday Inn West Bay was recently purchased by ValStone Partners, LLC, a Michigan-based private equity firm and is now under management by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.  Stayed tuned to NorthernSpin.com for more details as they develop.

Dogs Gone Wild! @ Corson Auditorium, Interlochen

Have you ever met a talking dog, a real talking dog? Get ready when comedian and ventriloquist Todd Oliver takes the stage – he will introduce you to three of them: Irving, Lucy and Elvis. As featured on “America’s Got Talent,” ventriloquist Todd Oliver’s warm, friendly personality creates a magical family chemistry while the adorable, lovable dogs will make you howl for more!

Puppets & puppies, what a combo.  Now I haven't seen the cat before, but from all the info on the internet  You tube and other stuff, this looks like a show you DON'T wanna miss.  Interlochen presents Todd Oliver & Friends: Dogs Gone Wild! Tour this Thursday, January 24th @ 7:30PM, Corson Auditorium.  For more info call the box office 800.681.5920 or visit tickets.interlochen.org

Flogging Molly Stops in Michigan, Just for you

From their Bio - Founded in Los Angeles in 1997, Flogging Molly has always defied categorization. The infectious originality of their songs is a badge of honor and key to the band's creativity, their urgency. They infuse punk rock with Celtic instruments—violin, mandolin and the accordion—and they merge blues progressions with grinding guitars and traditional Irish music, the music of King's youth. "We're not a traditional band," explains Dublin-born King. "We are influenced by traditional music and inspired by it, but without question we put our own twist on it." Theirs is music of exile and rebellion, of struggle and history and protest. It's music of a country torn down the middle, a deeply beautiful and wounded country that knows no quit, and Flogging Molly pays homage to that resolve in every note. Whether it's a driving anthem like "Black Friday Rule" or the upbeat duet with Lucinda Williams, "Factory Girls", the band's only criteria for its music is simple and bone-deep: that it matter.

So what does this mean?  Probably not much until you actually have the opportunity to see them perform live.  Well guess what?  You can.  Two shows this week in Michigan.  First one hits the Orbit Room in Grand Rapids, Jan. 24th and the second show shifts over to the Fillmore in Detroit, Jan. 25th.  Be there or be...less than enthusiastic about this post.

Good on Paper Improv Show @ Old Town Playhouse

After all the dinner dates, early partying is done, come on down to the OTP in Traverse City for a bit a comic relief.  The Old Town Playhouse’s Good on Paper improv comedy troupe is the area’s only professional improv troupe and performs a one full hour of completely improvised comedy every other Saturday evening at 11:00pm in the Schmuckal Theater from October - May.
Good on Paper began as the Old Town Playhouse’s first ever improv comedy troupe and has now earned a distinction as the longest-running show in the Playhouse’s history.  The show is hosted by David Avis and the talented cast for the 2012-2013 season includes Bryan Boettcher, Mike Gauthier, Michael Libby, Heather Strouse, and Stephanie Young.  Each scene in the Good on Paper show begins with on-the-spot audience suggestions while audience members are also encouraged to supply random phrases for the “Can o’ Words” which are then used randomly in various scenes with unexpected results.  No two performances are ever the same! The jokes are fast and furious, the cast is quick and witty, and you’re guaranteed to laugh long and hard!  Come see what all the fuss is about this Saturday, January 19th @ 11:00.  Tickets only $5 and includes free coffee and donuts. 

Flint's Favorite; Whitey Morgan and the 78s

BIO - Whitey Morgan and the 78’s are a Honky Tonk band from Flint, Michigan. They haven’t re-invented the wheel, they just picked it up and started it rolling all over again. Emerging from the Detroit area music scene, re-creating a forgotten genre for the area, Whitey Morgan and the 78’s have toured the country spreading their sound and attitude everywhere they go. They play honky tonk tunes in any club in any town without apology—they drive their point home just like their families drove the cars they built on the line home from work. With a purpose.
In 2009, after the release of their first studio album, the band was awarded three Detroit Music Awards: Best Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Songwriter, Best Country Album.  In 2010, after the release of the self titled album "Whitey Morgan and the 78's", the band was awarded Best Country Recording.
Your chance to see them in Michigan, before they cruise the country, will be Friday, Jan. 18th @ Unwind in Alger, MI

Brian Regan Comes to Fox Theatre Detroit

Comedian Brian Regan will make his Fox Theatre debut on Saturday, January 19 at 8 p.m. Critics and peers agree: Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country. The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations.
Tickets can be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (without service charge), at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000.

Angela Josephine @ Good Work Collective

 Sketch Live Music – Come on out for a fun evening of sketching, painting or creative making of any sort while listening to great live music from Angela Josephine at The Good Work Collective. 7pm-8:30pm the third Tuesday of every month, $5-$10 Donation and/or a beverage/snack appreciated. Bring art supplies and enjoy producing work while having fun with other artists listening to music. Location: The Good Work Collective, 417 S. Union, Traverse City, Michigan.  THIS TUESDAY, JAN. 15th

Queesnryche; Gives the Word Soo a New Meaning

In the late Eighties and early Nineties Queensryche had been well established as the progressive metal gods.  Operation: Mindcrime helped put them on the map, but it was the album Empire that had the most commercial success.  As they continued to grow as a band, so did the music styles and influences. 2012 had brought the biggest change of all.  With lawsuits and raged arguments the band split, however, not in the traditional sense.  They split in two.  Currently Queensryche is touring as two different bands with the same name.  Stops include the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie, MI this Saturday, January 12th, 2013.

If you're wondering which band you'll see, well the band with the most original members.  Replacement front man Todd La Torre along with original members; Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson & Scott Rockenfield  will take stage in the Soo.  Original lead Geoff Tate along with metal bassist god Rudy Sarzo and Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer.  Two different bands, same great music.  Don't miss this opportunity to check out this historical event.  \m/ (>.<) \m/  Rock ON!

New Radio Show? Tell me About it.

ON AIR!  How cool is this, I will be sending out the world premiere of "Tell me about it" through the airwaves this Sunday @ 2:00 PM on BlogTalkRadio.  What does this all mean?  Well...starting this Sunday "tell me about it" will be airing it's show for 30 minutes an episode, giving everyone a chance to call in and chat about what's on your mind.  In most cases, each episode will have a "theme", but those who know me, knows I have a short attention span and will more than likely deviate from the topic at hand. That's OK, cause now you can run the show.  Tell me about your favorite, band, movie, event or let's chat about relationships.  Everyone has and issue they wanna discuss, right?  Anyway, tune in Sunday, Jan. 6th @ 2:00 PM and tell me about it.

Click here to be redirected to show profile.

Blues at the Crossroads 2: COH


Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson with JJ Grey, James Cotton, Jody Williamsand Bob Margolin
After a successful tour with the Robert Johnson Centennial Concerts, BLUES AT THE CROSSROADS returns to celebrate the two legends, MUDDY WATERS and HOWLIN' WOLF. Both musicians vie for the honor of the "father of modern Chicago Blues" and both are considered the key bluesmen inspiring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, John Mayall, Eric Clapton and others who brought about the 1960's British blues explosion. Though friends, Muddy and The Wolf were rivals for the top slot, and this spurred on both to top the other and create classics of the genre, including "Spoonful," "Mannish Boy," "Rolling Stone," and "Smokestack Lightning." THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS join Blues At The Crossroads 2 as the core band backing greats JAMES COTTON, BOB MARGOLIN, JJ GREY, and JODY WILLIAMS.  Feb. 8th, 2013 @ City Opera House.
Tickets starting at $28!
On Sale Friday, Jan. 4th at 10am! 

Level 3 Lounge's Rockin' New Years Eve w/ 12YR

Ben Tabor (Jesse Bishop & Brandon Dieke)

Jesse Bishop
 Level 3 Lounge, inside Turtle Creek Casino was kickin' out the jams and the cash during their New Years Celebration.  12 Year Reunion was getting the crowd riled up for the upcoming year with energy that only 12 Yr can produce.  Great music, awesome drinks and a good cigar helped get through the night.  Did I mention, Eddie Money playing just below us on the gaming floor?
Ben & Charlie

12 Year Reunion

Charlie Aldridge
Jesse belted out the tunes, jumped up and down and got the crowd moving.  While Ben (above) shows off his talented little move called "look ma, no...head?" hmmm.


Ben Tabor, at the tender age of 20, is a guitar virtuoso.  Playing Michael Jackson's "Beat it" better than Steve Stevens could originally.


A Full crowd always makes a party, and this crowd KNOWS how to party.  The poor dance floor never got the rest until after 2:00am.


This brings us to Charlie Aldridge, a man of many talents, a man who wants to bang on his drum all day.  The guy who beats the thing with the...thingies. Watch out! This guy can kill it.

All in all, this NYE was a blast!  Let's make 2013 the best 2013 ever.  Agreed?

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