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.

Where Will You Bring In The New Year?

Where will you be on New Year's Eve?  Perhaps you enjoy a quiet evening at home or prefer the excitement of 10,000 of your closest friends living it up outside, there is something for everyone.  Traverse City has the CherryT Ball Drop; an event created for a cause to one of Northern Michigan's most beautiful towns, while doing something great for the community.  Midland is offering Midnight on Main, the "Largest Ball" drop in the state and Grand Rapids has some of the best entertainment to offer.  Whatever you decide, please be safe, play fair and enjoy!  Happy New Year from all of us at NorthernSpin.com

The Verve Pipe Comes to GR With Domestic Problems

Dec. 27th @ The Intersection
The Verve Pipe is back with its first proper rock album in 13 years, “Overboard,” due out June 17. Listen to the title track, co-written by acclaimed actor Jeff Daniels below. 
On the new song, the Grand Rapids, MI, band leads listeners along a dark tale with gentle instrumentation and a narrative that that grows troubling. Singer and songwriter Brian Vander Ark explains the track started as a love story about a girl swimming in “lovely” Lake Superior and then turned more somber. 
“‘There's a girl in Michigan, up in Lake Superior,’” he says, reciting the start of the song’s chorus. “The puzzle as a songwriter was: Why do we care?  (Read more)

Time to 'Get a Little' in Wayland, Michigan Next Week.

West Michigan's local band heros come home for the holidays.  Currently on tour and promoting their new album featuring the hit single "Get a Little".  Come check out the band WAYLAND Thursday, December 18th at McDuff's in, none other than, the town of Wayland.  A great time with great music and an opportunity to help out the kiddos in your home town.  McDuff's is collecting toys for the little ones this Christmas season.  Come on down and be merry.  Rock on!

What To Do While In Grand Rapids This Weekend

It's been nearly 20 years since Jackyl shot out of Georgia with its wild, untamed and uncouth approach to rock 'n' roll.  Equal parts rock, heavy metal and Southern rock, Jackyl formed in 1991 and brought back rock 'n' roll -- back to its down-to-earth, wild, fun-loving origins.  Full of spit and swagger -- and a "dirty" sense of humor to boot -- Jackyl quickly earned a deal with Geffen Records.  Jackyl's live shows were already legendary before the ink dried on the Geffen contract.

By now I'm sure most of you reading this, have seen Jackyl once or twice, and if you have, great!  Go see them again.  If you are one of the less fortunate folks to not see them, NOW is the time.  Jackyl will preforming this Saturday, Dec. 7th @ the Intersection in downtown Grand Rapids.  This, of course, is a show you don't wanna miss.  \m/ (>.<) \m/

The Season is Upon Us. Celebrate With Art Hop.


The season is quickly approaching and the city of Wayland can't wait.  Volunteers and the promotion committee has been planning a weekend of great activities, Including the lighting of the tree downtown, a parade, a progressive art fair as artists can be seen inside the local businesses, hay rides, carolers and live entertainment.  An event for the entire family and it's community.  So come on over to downtown Wayland, Friday December 5th and Saturday December 6th.

GWAR! Makes Two Stops in Michigan!

GWAR is hitting the state of Michigan full boar.  With stops in Detroit on November 22nd at Harpo's and in Grand Rapids on November 23rd at The Intersection, these shows are guaranteed to surprise and satisfy your thirst for American thrash metal.

The loss of  Oderus Urungus (Dave Brockie) the GWAR warriors had taken a quick hiatus.  But since October, the army of fans won't have to "give their left nut" to  see another show because it is ON!  If ya haven't been to a GWAR show yet, YOU NEED TO GO and make sure you get front row seats for the "full effect".  Rock on my fearful friends.

Domestic Problems To Hit ArtPrize in Grand Rapids

Hometown favorites, Domestic Problems will be performing during this year's ArtPrize in Downtown Grand Rapids at Rosa Parks Circle.

Short Show starts @ 7p, Full Show @ 9:30p - 11:00p

Domestic Problems are a six piece Rock / Pop band based out of Grand Rapids, MI. Having been playing for over two decades, they have built a national fanbase and have shared the stage with Barenaked Ladies, Neil Young, Rusted Root, Pat Benatar, Joe Walsh and Blues Traveller.

Great Scott! It's...Great Scott! Sunday: Gun Lake Casino

JenQPhotography
Love these cats!  More than a wedding band, casino entertainment or local bar band, it is a compilation of some of the best musicians around.  Great Scott!  will spend hours entertaining you with all of your favorite hits and even by request at times.  Be sure to check them out at the Gun Lake Casino this Sunday.  If you're still a little shy about what to expect, check out this video.  It just might help.  [Click Here]

Slaughter Headlines Along With Local Michigan Bands

Get ready for a rockin' good time. Join us for our 5th Annual Middle of the Mitt Music Festival. An entire day of rock n' roll, exclusive giveaways, and more! This year's headliner is hard rockers Slaughter with co-headliner Sahara Steel. Also performing is early AC/DC tribute band Let There Be Rock, Dies to Rise and Brothers in Music. 

Your ticket purchase entitles you to enter exclusive giveaways throughout the festival for adults and children. You could win great prizes including overnight stays at Soaring Eagle, gift cards, concert tickets and more! Must be present to win. No exceptions. Proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society.

More band info click here.

A Must See Show: Echoes of Pink Floyd, Saturday

THIS SATURDAY AUGUST 9TH! A very unique EOPF show. Outdoors in downtown Kalamazoo with our amazing lasershow, and lots of great Pink Floyd Hits and Classics. It's a new lineup for the group since the last time we were in Kzoo, but with the same high level of musicianship. The guitarists are all some of Michigan's best. It's looking to be a really nice day Saturday so come join us and some Pink Floyd. Show starts at 9PM, after the sun goes down.


Rascal Flatts Brings the Crowd to The Soaring Eagle Casino

Since their musical debut in 2000, Rascal Flatts has over 22.5 million albums sold and over 28 million digital downloads and delivered 15 #1 singles to the top of the charts.  Rascal Flatts is the most awarded Country group of the past decade, earning over 40 trophies from the ACAs, ACMs, AMAs, CMAs, People's Choice Awards and more.  As one of the hottest-selling acts on tour in any genre, they have sold over 7 million concert tickets, and counting. (read more)

Now is your chance to see them live at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI - Thursday, July 31st.



Guess Who. Yep and Starship too.

Get ready this Thursday for some great classic rockin' memories.  The Guess Who, along with Starship, will be "gracing" our presence.  Well maybe not with Grace but with some old classics that will keep you feeling the good ol' days for hours.  Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds in Traverse City is the place to be.  For ticket and more concert info. be sure to visit www.tcconcertseries.com
Tickets on sale now.  General Admission is $25 - festival seating.  No chairs provided but feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket.  VIP seating is $50


Main Street Celebration in Wayland, MI

A one day event with a year long anticipation.  Local and surrounding residents gather together for a day of music, car shows, beer tents and family activities.  Something for everyone.  This year's headliners are non other then the town's local favorite and now national recording artist - WAYLAND.  Come down and join us. We'll leave plenty of lights on for ya.

The CULT, Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) in One Weekend!? Streeter's Has It!

Most us remember The CULT for it's hard hitting, guitar ripping, drum crushing, edgy music from the 80's.  With songs like "Love Removal Machine", "Lil' Devil", "Sun King" and "Fire Woman" The CULT has been an underground favorite.  I've waited over 25 years for this.  The CULT is coming to Traverse City and playing at the hottest, best music venue in all of Northern Michigan.  Streeter's Ground Zero Nightclub is hosting some awesome shows the Summer.  With The CULT playing Friday, Aug. 8th and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) performing Saturday, Aug. 9th, this will be a weekend you do NOT wanna miss.  For our Detroit friends, they are also playing in Royal Oak at the Music Theatre Thursday, Aug. 7th.  No excuses!

Billy Strings and Don Julin Going National?

Yesterday Billy & Don signed with Crossover Touring from Atlanta GA. Crossover artists include some of the best touring bands on the festival scene including Del McCoury, Hot Rize, Victor Wooten, and many others. They will still play around Michigan a lot this summer, but this fall they will start to see some changes in their touring schedule. Congratulations to Billy Strings & Don Julin for a well deserve achievement. Best to you guys.

This week is as follows: 
Tuesday June 10 - Music in the park in Fenneville Mi 7pm
Wednesday June 11 - Kevin & Piper Gills 20th anniversary celebration.
Thursday June 12 - Little Bohemia in TC 8:30-10:30pm
Friday June 13 - Nor'easter Festival in Mio Mi
Saturday June 14 Nor'easter Festival in Mio MI

Queensryche: With or Without Tate

With a few shows in Michigan it's getting a bit confusing which Queensryche band is playing and where.  Some might be saying, "what do you mean which?".  For those who aren't keeping up with the drama from the band and it's former lead singer Geoff Tate, there has been countless back-n-forth spats (including legal actions) between the two.  The band claims Geoff is not entitled to use the name when he tours.  Checking out the website for Queensryche is just as confusing as the silly lawsuit.  Anyway,  I won't bore ya with the details.  If ya want more do some research online, but get your charts and graphs ready.
Here's who's playing where:

May 15th @ The Intersection in Grand Rapids, MI is (drum roll please)...Geoff Tate's Queensryche
June 6th @ Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI is ...the band Queensryche (without the Tatester)

Either way both shows should be checked out and since they are so close in date and proximity, I say compare the two and let us know who's worthy of the name. Rock on my peeps!

The Voice: Ryan Whyte Maloney, Back in Michigan


A voice heard all over the world once started out in a little (now bigger) town called Traverse City, in Northern Michigan.  Playing with his hard hitting rock band selected weekends at Union St. Station.  A local favorite and much requested talent.  Ryan later settled in a little town (much, much bigger now) called Las Vegas.  Most recently Ryan Whyte Maloney was able to live out one of his dreams of performing in front of millions of people.  The Voice on NBC has given Ryan the push he needed to continue living out his dream.  This weekend Ryan Whyte Maloney is coming to Royal Oak, MI to perform and show his love to all who supported him at the same time pick up some new admirers as well. This Saturday, May 10th at Stagecrafters in Royal Oak, MI

Mega 80s Hits the Magic Bag

I have had the incredibly awesome opportunity to check these dudes out in Traverse City for an 80s party we put together.  I must tell ya, no one, and I mean NO ONE can bring you back to the 80's memory lane like they can.  I relived my childhood and young adult life all over again thanks to this band.  It doesn't matter where you're hanging out in the state of Michigan I recommend you track these cats down.  But if you're in the Detroit area, be sure to catch them at the Magic Bag.  They have a pretty good hold on several dates there.  Here's a little snippet I took directly from their web site to fill all ya Mega 80's virgins out there.

Take a handful of your favorite 80's songs, a splash of some retro fashion, a pinch of panache and an eye-popping video spectacle in the background and what do you get? The Mega 80's, of course! Since their emergence onto the Detroit music scene, the Mega 80's have taken southeast Michigan by storm. Now veterans of the 80's cultural milieu, they are still rocking as hard as ever. The proof is in the pudding. They've since been bestowed with awards such as: the Real Detroit's "Best of..." Best Live Production in 2003, '04, and '05. Best Cover Band in 2006-07, Best Live Performance in 2008, and Best Cover Band in 2009 and 2010. Hour Detroit's best local band, 2009. The Knot: Best of Weddings 2010 pick and one of WDIV's "4 The Best" top 5 bands two years running. This also includes playing at the Palace of Auburn Hills and being highlighted on Mitch Albom and Fox 2 News.

The band features some of the greatest players in the Detroit area. Drummer Jason Gittinger is a musician that can do anything. Jason's talent has been spotlighted many times, such as: TV specials with Kevin Bacon at the Fox Theater, recording international advertising campaigns for companies such as Cadillac, as well as extensive european tours with local and national acts. Guitarist Mick Khzouz, an accomplished musician that can play just about any guitar style, loves the positivity that the 80's era has brought back. 
Performing at the Magic Bag, Friday, May 2nd

Old Friends: A Simon & Garfunkel Spectacular

Nick Foresman & Jason Elsenheimer have been playing music together for over 26 years. Friends since the 7th grade, they began their musical careers by performing Simon & Garfunkel songs for family and friends at various social gatherings.

When Nick & Jason decided to put together a Simon & Garfunkel tribute show, it seemed so natural that they wondered why they hadn't thought of it sooner. They had already been singing these songs for over 25 years and that’s almost as long as the real Simon & Garfunkel.

So after a year of talk and nearly 2 years of rehearsing, refining the songs and working with some of most talented musicians available they were able to put together an amazing live show complete with a full 7 piece band; drums, bass, electric guitars, piano/keyboards and horn section. Nick was even able to locate and purchase the exact acoustic guitar model that Paul Simon used in the 1981 concert.

There is no other Simon & Garfunkel tribute show that even comes close. Old Friends pays ultimate homage to this amazing American duo in their most memorable performance ever and stays true to the beauty of their timeless songs. Nick & Jason's warm, blending harmonies, crisp guitar work and attention to every detail make Old Friends the premier Simon & Garfunkel tribute show.


Must see event Friday, May 2nd @ Griswold Auditorium in Allegan, MI

Click here for the band's web site.

Live Music in Traverse City: Summer 2014

Blue October - NorthernSpin photo
Over the past few years, Traverse City has changed immensely. NEW & IMPROVED - Now with more music than ever! There's some new venues and some old venues as well as reintroducing some old venues.
Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds will be host to at least three concerts events this Summer.  Of course everyone is looking forward to the Interlochen Concerts series schedule and who's gonna play the National Cherry Festival this year.  Some newcomer venues include the FlintFields in Williamsburg (Home of Horse Shows by the Bay) and various locations around the Village of Grand Traverse.
Here's a list of some concerts scheduled this Summer in TC.  For a complete list be sure to check out the Event Calendar page.

May 3 - Puddle of Mudd @ Ground Zero Nightclub
May 23 - Blue October @ Ground Zero Nightclub
May 28 - Theroy of a Deadman @ Ground Zero Nightclub

June 26 - Bret Michaels (of Poison) @ Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds
June 28 - Saving Abel @ Ground Zero Nightclub

July 11 - Justin Moore @ National Cherry Festival
July 19 - Traverse City Symphony Orchestra @ The Village
July 24 - The Guess Who & Starship @ Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

August 8 - Lyle Lovett @ FlintFields
August 9 - Sebastian Bach (of Skid Row) @ Ground Zero Nightclub
August 14 - Eddie Money & Night Ranger @ Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds


Lansing Microbrew & Music Festival in April

[Fox 47 News Reports] Lansing, MI – Craft brew, music and culinary lovers will gather at Adado Riverfront Park in downtown Lansing for the inaugural Lansing Microbrew & Music Festival scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19.

The festival will feature 50+ carefully selected Michigan, national and international craft breweries, 250+ craft beers, ciders, meads and wines as well as more than 100 musicians, marching bands, Homebrewer’s Challenge, food and brew pairings, rare and sour beer tours, and local food vendors.

Rockville, Maryland, band O.A.R. and reggae and hip hop musicians Dirty Heads will headline the Lansing Microbrew & Music Festival, festival producers announced today. Dirty Heads will play on Friday, April 18, and O.A.R. will perform on Saturday, April 19. Read more

Orange Barrels: "I Can See For Miles and Miles..."

Even though Winter never seems to want to leave us, our roads are already mapped out for construction.
This interactive map shows Partial & Future Construction along with Total Road Closures.  Click on the Camera Image icon to the left and it will map out where you can see images of progress.  A pretty snazzy map to help avoid surprises for those who get road rage every time they set out for a trip across the state only to find orange barrels everywhere.
This map also offers Active Incidents in real time to help avoid further frustration.  This is the kind of technology that truly does make life easier.  I hope you find this as interesting and as helpful as I did.

We have decided to keep this as a featured service to our guests.  Simply click on the map to the right.  We'll be here whenever you need some Summer travel planning. Plus the Live Camera Feeds are cool for checking out weather, road conditions, traffic or watching where the next big movie is being filmed.

Two Stops in Michigan For Bryan Adams

Thirty-Eight years in the business and still playing "Straight from the Heart".  Taking a break from his career in photography,  Bryan Adams will grace us with his presence in Michigan twice in one weekend. This Saturday, March 29 in Saginaw at the Dow Event Center and Sunday, March 30 in Grand Rapids at DeVos Hall.  With his huge success in the 80s & 90s Bryan is now touring the country playing all his hits from every era of his music career.  Mr. Adams This will be a concert event you don't want to miss.

Starfarm is Planting Some 80s Music Seeds in G.R.

The Wiggles of the 80s?  No, and don't let that scare ya.  Starfarm is a great 80s band from East Lansing, MI, complied of  five grown ass people who enjoy the best decade for music.  These talented cats play hits from New Order, Violent Femmes, Michael Jackson, Sir Mix-A-Lot Rod Stewart, Journey and many many more.  An evening of flashbacks, a trip down memory lane and a night of remembering what you may have forgotten.
Check the band Starfarm out at the B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids this Friday, March 21.

Sinbad Brings the Laughs to Grand Rapids Sunday

Laugh Fest - Actor and Comedian Sinbad arrived on the comedy scene with a “hit-em in the face” style of comedy that has kept audiences laughing in the aisles for the past two decades. He freely admits that he doesn’t know any jokes, except for the ones that his dad told him “back in the day”. Sinbad tells stories, and boy does he tell stories! The basis of his humor comes from everyone he’s met, everything he’s seen, and everything he’s done. Ranked by Comedy Central as one of the top 100 stand-up comedians of all time, Sinbad has built a loyal following by taking audiences’ painful trials or embarrassing tribulations of day-by-day life, throwing them back in their faces, and causing an uproar of comedic hysteria. He can also make it sound profound without being profane. - Read more 

Sunday, March 16th - Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids, MI

Jim Gaffigan Comes to Grand Rapids For Laugh Fest

Laugh Fest - JIM GAFFIGAN has proven himself a major talent beloved to a wide range of audiences, achieving accolades and awards for his stand-up comedy, acting, and writing. His clever, quiet style has made him one of the top five most successful touring comedians in the country today and his CDs and DVDs have reached platinum sales. Gaffigan has had an unprecedented number of appearances on late night’s Letterman and Conan. Gaffigan has had breakout guest appearances on many comedies and dramas ranging from Portlandia to HBO’s cult hits Flight of the Concords and Bored to Death to dramatic roles in all three versions of Law & Order. In recent years, Gaffigan has also become a mainstay on the big screen with memorable roles in Going the Distance, Away We Go and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. Further broadening his career, Gaffigan starred in his first Broadway production, That Championship Season. As part of the highly acclaimed play, Gaffigan appeared in the ensemble alongside Chris Noth, Brian Cox, Jason Patric, and Kiefer Sutherland. - Read more 

Yo! Time to Spring it Forward

Let's move it forward an hour.  This Sunday, March 9th,  begins the Daylight Savings Time or DST for those in the know.  What does this mean?  Well, y'all gonna lose an hour of sleep.  Make sure you set your clocks before you go to sleep Saturday night so you're not late for Church.  But hold the phone, cuz if you forget to do that, your phones will automatically reset themselves.  Ain't that cool?  Let's bring in Spring one hour at a time.

Community Kickoff; World Record Attempt


It’s the news you’ve all been waiting for! Drum roll please…
It’s time for you to find out what world record LaughFest will need your help breaking on Thursday, March 6. And we hope you like to wear your sunglasses at night because we want to break the Guinness World Record for the most people wearing sunglasses in the dark!
We’re going to need your help so join us at Rosa Parks Circle starting at 6:00pm for the pre-kickoff activities including giveaways, an MLive photo booth, and to grab your official LaughFest sunglasses, which are being supplied by Baudville for the first 2,500 participants (you’re also welcome to bring your own shades, if you wish!). At 7:00pm the world record practice and instructions begin and then the official attempt starts at 7:15pm!
The current Guinness World Record for largest number of people wearing sunglasses in the dark was achieved in July 2012 by 1,642 participants at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill.
So go and tell all your friends, family, community, or random strangers that we are going to need everyone’s help to break this record!  Remember that this is a Family Friendly event – so bring the kids along to participate!

Laughs Keep Rolling Into March, Up North



Share an evening with some the best Saturday Night Live characters around.  Rob Scheinder (aka Duece Bigalow) was a cast member on SNL from 1990-1994. After four short years he quickly became a house hold name and making several appearances on the big screen.  Chris Kattan (aka Corky Ramano) maybe best known for his crazy antics on SNL from 1996-2006, a 10 year run with a big success on the big screen as well.  Perhaps his most famous movie was "A Night At The Roxbury" when he teamed up with Will Ferrell.  Tim Meadows (aka The Ladies Man), spent nine years with SNL, 1991-2000.  Just like Rob & Chris, Tim has done many movies and TV appearances.  Each one of these cats will bring and evening of laughs and utter excitement to the Leelanau Sands Casino, near Traverse City.  Be sure to get your tickets now.  Seating is limited and this will be a Full House...get it?  Full House?  Because it's a casino? Ok whatever.

What's So Funny About This Winter Anyway?


Nice segway from one festival to another. Music and BEer to Comedy.  How can anyone be upset with this time of year.  Traverse City does everything they can to help you escape the Winter blues.  
This Weekend will kick off the the annual Winter Comedy Arts Festival. Fred Willard, Rosie O'Donnell and Michael Ian Black will be here to help us cope with the cold.  

Here's a couple shows you also don't want to miss:
*TJ and Dave - Straight from their sold-out shows at the Barrow Theatre in New York's Greenwich Village, this comedy duo has been anointed as the best in the U.S. by the New York Times (read this extraordinary article from last week). I promise you, you'll never see improv this smart and this amazing - don't miss it!!
*Michael Ian Black - What more needs to be said about this comic genius? I've seen his show and I've seen his films and I'm encouraging you to come see him here in Traverse City. You won't be disappointed. 
*Tig Notaro - Tig is huge on the coasts, one of the most sought-out comedians working today. There is no show like this one. You will not see someone like Tig Notaro again in Traverse City until that guy who rides up and down Front St. waving a large Confederate flag becomes a Buddhist. 
*Mike Toomey - Hey guess what -- we're finally offering a "clean" comedy show! No swearing! No unnatural body sounds! Come see Mike Toomey, a brilliant comedian who relies on his wit and smarts instead of the F-bomb. Now that's historic! You'll see this show as a sweet oasis in the middle of a crazy weekend. Come join me in seeing Mike Toomey. 

For a complete list and scheduling info please check the website www.wintercomedy.org

Turn Winter Blahs Into Winter Brews

Cold enough for ya?  No, I'm talking about your beer.  Perfect weekend to chill out and rock out with some of the area's best microbrews and music.  I can't think of any other place you need to bee this weekend but in Traverse City. 
An urban winter wonderland will greet craft brew, music and culinary lovers at the Fifth Annual Traverse City Winter Microbrew & Music Festival scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2014, in downtown Traverse City. - TCM&MF
Check out their site for ticket info and more details www.microbrewandmusic.com Cheers my friends...and be cool, don't over drool.


All Bad Things Must Come to an End

Signing the "Sensation of Touring" Document
At a press conference held at 3:51PM EST, Motley Crue has announced their plans to retire the band after this tour.  Keep in mind this is NOT a farewell tour but a FINAL Tour.  What's the difference? Farewell tours have a tendency to have bands coming back.  The Crue is adamant about this being the last stop for the band.  When asked why now, Nikki Sixx said "Because we're on top, we want to leave a legacy behind..."  He didn't want to mention any names, but he feels it's embarrassing what's going on in the music biz today.
How serious are they?  Well, Vince, Nikki, Tommy, & Mick have all signed into a contract that will keep them from touring after this.  It may take a year or two to finish the World Tour because they want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to see them one last time.

So what's their plan after the tour?
Vince: Stay in the restaurant biz and continue to sing in various venues.
Nikki: Continue with his band SIXX A.M. and his radio show.
Tommy: Some big surprises he can't discuss right now.
Mick: Work on his solo music and finish his book he's writing.

Look for more details about tour dates at www.motley.com.  Rumor has it they will be stopping in Michigan at the Van Andel arena in Grand Rapids wsg Alice Cooper.

Made in Detroit; Grammy Style

With the Detroit Auto Show going on it's easy to think of Detroit as the Motor Capital of the World, but do you ever stop and think about how much music has been produced by this same "beautiful" town?  The talent, in the music industry, is endless. Alice Copper, Bob Seger, Madonna, Romantics (Flint), Stevie Wonder and all the Motown folks.  The list goes on and on.  What's my point?  Well, Detroit is a city in the beginning stages of rebuilding, but through all the rumble, one thing is clear.  Detroit not only spews out filth into the air, it bellows musical talents throughout the air waves.
"At least 38 Grammy Award winners and nominees from the past five years have a Detroit connection." - Stateside Staff
So say yes to Detroit.  Next time your driving and you hear a catchy tune or a rockin' rif, just remember, chances are the vehicle and the song was "Made in Detroit"! Embrace the beauty this town has been offering you for decades.  \m/ (>.<) \m/

Stone Thrown @ McDuff's in Wayland This Weekend

It's nice to see, strike that, hear young musicians appreciate some great blues and rock. Boy can these boys play. Such a tight sound played with passion and focus. This Grand Rapids area based band is a must check out talent, and with this weekend only a few days away, you'll have an opportunity to check them out live at McDuff's in a little town South of Grand Rapids, called Wayland, Michigan.  Stop on down and check these cats out this Friday and Saturday

Drop 35 Performs at H.O.M.E., B.O.B.'s New Addition


To the live music lover (be it jazz, rock, country or blues), The B.O.B. would like to say,"Welcome H.O.M.E.!" The House Of Music & Entertainment is Grand Rapid's newest venue for outstanding live music. In the tradition of Sweet Wallace's and The Loading Dock, The B.O.B. is going back to its roots on the first floor. The room is rustic and casual, perfectly reflecting the warehouse origins of The B.O.B., while providing an appropriate atmosphere for the most beloved American musical genres. And speaking of classic Americana, don't forget H.O.M.E.'s new Bourbon Bar, featuring a limitless supply of bourbon and whiskey. With an easy going atmosphere, approachable menu, classic beverage list, and musical styles for everyone, H.O.M.E. is like your favorite old pair of jeans - it just fits! Fri - Sat: 8:00pm - 2:00am

This weekend - Drop 35 has to be the most versatile band in and around Michigan. From weddings to parties they are the best. Country music, rock, hip hop, anything, they can perform it.

Look Who's Coming to The Intersection

One might call them “cautionary tales” long before the term “saints” ever came to mind; however, there is something devout about their bayou rock, a dirty, distinct sound they’ve zealously refined on their debut full-length, Death Letter Jubilee. Alternating between raucous melodies and slow-burning odes to the devil in his many forms, Ben Ringel (vocals/dobro), Dylan Fitch (guitar), David Supica (bass), and Ben Azzi (drums) explore themes of difficult love, the wanderer’s high road, and the moral low road using their unconscious fascination with the classical elements – earth, air, fire, and water – as a natural vehicle for their briny narratives. ~ By Emily J Ramey The Intersection welcomes Blackberry Smoke wsg The Delta Saint, Sunday Jan. 26th.  Doors open @ 6:30p Show starts @ 7:00p

Jeff Daniels returns to City Opera House in Traverse City

Jeff Daniels, the actor known for his cerebral roles in such programs as The Newsroom and his slightly less-than-cerebral turn in the film Dumb and Dumber, won’t be appearing at the City Opera House in Traverse City this January. Well, technically, Daniels will be onstage and performing at the Opera House.  But it won’t be in his guise as a thespian, versed in and successful in movie, television and theatrical roles. Nor will Daniels the playwright or director be in evidence. It will just be Jeff Daniels with his guitar, singing his songs.
Well, that’s not really true. Daniels will be performing the songs he’s written and recorded over the past several years, but he’ll bring all the skills he’s honed over the course of his career as an entertainer into play. That includes his ability to memorize lines and improvise at the same time. As an illustration, he tells about his performance at the CMA Awards several years ago.
“Five or six years ago, I was invited to the CMA Awards show in Nashville,” he said. The powers that be had caught his show and thought it was amusing and a perfect fit for the show. They wanted Daniels to put all the nominated song titles in one song, and he obliged. But …
“About a third of the way through my mic goes out all of a sudden. I kept going, but they (the audience) hadn’t heard half the song. A stagehand came out and replaced my mic and suddenly I heard myself again. I said, you know what, I’m going to start over.” So without the benefit of a teleprompter
or any other cues, Daniels sang the entire song again, “and I didn’t miss a word. Jeff Foxworthy was hosting, and he came over and said, ‘That’s the greatest save I’ve ever seen.’”
Daniels says his shows are planned out, but leave plenty of room for change or improvisation. While he knows that there’s a beginning, middle and end, his stories and repartee with the audience members make each show different. “I talk to the audience, and sometimes they talk back,” he said. “It’s fun, I enjoy that. You break that fourth wall between performer and audience.
“I went to see Utah Phillips once. He was a remarkable entertainer. His first song was 25 minutes long, he’d go off on spontaneous side tracks. We had the same manager, and I told him (my manager), ‘I’ve never seen somebody improvise so smartly.’ He said, ‘It’s all written.’ That’s kind of what’s happened with me. These (songs and shows) are road tested.”
Daniels says the music and his low-key style perfectly complement one another. He’s an accomplished fingerstyle guitarist, but says he is never satisfied. “I can always get better. Stefan Grossman, Kelly Joe Phelps – I’ll never get there. If I’m rehearsed enough, I can trick myself. I can play pretty well, and also entertain you.”
The chance to sing his own songs rather than speak lines in a movie or show and not know how they’ll end up is a big draw for Daniels. “The biggest thing is you have complete control. You don’t hand it off to anybody,” he said.
Daniels has now released five CDs, but it all began like this show: As a fundraiser. He wanted to raise money for his theater in Chelsea, the Purple Rose. Now he’s doing the same for the City Opera House.
“I’m a big fan of opera houses,” he said. “It’s like you go back in time a little bit.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show Thursday, Jan. 23 are $32 and $40. City Opera House Circle Seats are $125 and include a private after-party with Daniels to benefit City Opera House. Immediately following the show, those ticketholders are invited to Seven Monks Taproom where they’ll receive VIP seating with two complimentary drinks, and a photo op and private meet ’n’ greet with Daniels. Only 125 City Opera House Circle Seats are available.
Get tickets at cityoperahouse.org

Escape the Winter Blahs With InsideOut Gallery

InsideOut Gallery in Traverse City, MI is always finding new, fun & interacting ways to keep you company this winter season. From concerts to music and from Art gallery to Cinema, Inside Out has all you need to escape the winter blahs. Be sure to check out their site for more details www.insideouttc.com and like them on Facebook so that you can stay in the up-to-date loop.

InsideOut gallery is one of the largest art galleries in the mid-west. Housed in an old furniture warehouse building & located within the burgening Warehouse District in Traverse City, MI, we are right downtown- but "Way Off the beaten Path.

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