Michigan Music Blog

Well it’s finally here – Halloween! All the ghouls, ghosts, goblins, vampires, witches, and zombies are coming out tonight for one thing. And that is of course to collect tons and tons of delicious candy!!! What a great holiday!

And since it’s Friday, a lot of adults have parties going on later on in the evening, too. And this is just a friendly reminder from Michigan Music Blog to all of you folks enjoying Halloween either with your kids, with your friends, or even by yourself:

STAY SAFE AND HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Before you know it, it’s going to Christmas, and then the New Year – are you ready for 2009?

The auction at the Double JJ Ranch will be held today, at – you guessed it – the Double JJ Ranch in Western Michigan. For those of you who don’t know, The Double JJ played host to the Rothbury Music Festival over July 4 weekend of 2008, but now has been foreclosed upon by the bank and everything is up for grabs – including the multi acre resort itself. Fans of The Rothbury Festival are optimistic about the festival’s return in 2009 – there is a 3-year contract between Madison House and AEG Entertainment (those responsible for putting on the festival) and the Double JJ Ranch – but at this point the future of both the festival and the resort is anybody’s guess.

Just like always, you’ve got some great music to enjoy at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor. Here’s just a little bit of what November has to offer.

Saturday, November 1: Dungen, Headdress, Zoo’s of Berlin – Tickets $12 in advance / $14 day of – 18+, doors 9:30 pm

Wednesday, November 5: Needtobreathe – Tickets $12 in advance / $14 day of – 18+, doors 9:00 pm

Thursday, November 13: Devin the Dude, The Coughee Brothaz - $12 cover – 18+, doors 9:30 pm

Friday, November 21: The Dirtbombs, Friendly Foes, Electric Fire Babies - $10 in advance / $12 day of 18+, doors 9:30 pm

Wednesday, November 26: The Macpodz, The Topher Mohr Band – $7 / $10 under 21, 18+, doors 9:30 pm

There was even more tragic news released yesterday regarding the horrific events that have taken place over this past weekend. FBI officials confirm that the body of a young male that was found in the rear seat of an SUV (the one that was described when the original Amber Alert was issued) is indeed Jennifer Hudson’s 7 year old nephew. Though the body has not been positively identified as of yet, FBI and police officials are saying that the body is believed to be that of Julian King, the nephew of the singer/actress that was in the home at the time of the double murder of her brother and mother.

The first of what is sure to be many great, huge New Year’s Eve shows in Michigan has been announced – this one is at the Orbit Room at Grand Rapids. Featuring heavy metal headliner Clutch, along with Russian Circles and Viking Skull, this is going to be a great way to ring in the New Year. Remember, this is a 17+ show, so make sure to find a babysitter! Tickets are $34, and can be purchased through TicketMaster or at the Orbit Room box office (with no additional fees – depending on how close you are, it may be worth driving a little farther to avoid the service charges from TicketMaster).

BREAKING NEWS

A terrible tragedy has befallen singer/actress Jennifer Hudson over the week when both her mother and brother were shot on Chicago’s south side. Hudson’s seven-year-old nephew is also missing, and an amber alert has been issue for the boy. The ex-husband of Jennifer’s sister Julia has been taken into police custody for questioning, according to media reports.

Jennifer Hudson made her step into stardom via the popular television show, American Idol, and this is a horrific and completely unexpected turn of events that has happened to the prolific young superstar. Stay tuned to Michigan Music Blog for more news about this double murder and possible kidnapping as it happens.

If you are a fan of the local music scene in Michigan, or a fan of garage/punk rock music, you’ve no doubt heard of The Detroit Cobras. You’ve probably even met some of them and partied with band members – there have been over a dozen different ones over the years, and the band has only officially been around since 1995. Hailing from Detroit as their name implies, the Detroit Cobras are all about lineup changes, and often have a different touring band than that which is on their studio releases. They’ve had 5 albums on 2 different labels to date, their most recent release on Bloodshot Records, called “The Original Recordings” was released in 2008.

On the heels of the very successful Rothbury Musical Festival, the Double JJ Ranch has now been taken over by the bank is being auctioned off – piece by piece. Yup – everything is up for sale, the 18 hole golf course, the saloon, the waterpark – even the farm equipment, horses, sled dogs and longhorn bulls. It’s all for sale. And you can view it all online! The complete Double JJ Resort auction listing is available to view at www.maascompanies.com/response.asp?project_id=142 – very interesting stuff, though some of it no doubt is going to be priced quite expensively. The animals that don’t get sold will be donated to local charities and organizations – and that’s a really good thing.

There are some really great shows coming up to end out the month of October. So if you are in Ann Arbor, Michigan and near The Blind Pig, here are some shows that you should be checkin’ out.

Sunday, October 26: Yeasayer, Chairlift – Tickets $12 in advance/$15 day of – 18+, doors 9:30 pm

Monday, October 27: Donavon Frankenreiter, Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek – $15 cover – 18+, doors 8:00 pm

Thursday, October 30: Counter Cosby, Kissyface Fashion Faux Pas, A Working Model, Incisor – Tickets $5 / $8 under 21 – Doors 9:30 pm

Friday, October 31: The Tickled Fancy Burlesque Company with Mahoney, Versificators and The Nomadic Jewels – Tickets $7 / $10 under 21 – Doors 9:30 pm

The dates are set for the 35^th Annual Wheatland Music Festival, which will take place starting Friday, September 11, and ending on Sunday, September 13, 2009. As always, it will be held in Remus, Michigan.

If you have ever been to a Wheatland Music Festival before, you already know that you can expect to have one of the best times of your life. This festival attracts people from all over the country for a celebration of bluegrass / folk music / Americana that you can only find at the Wheatland Music Festival. Start making your plans now – this is a festival not to be missed next year!

There is a lot of stuff going on at the Deltaplex – conventions, trade shows, auctions, motocross, boxing matches, arena racing – you name it, you can probably find it somewhere within the Deltaplex’s busy, busy schedule. However, once in a while they manage to squeeze in a few live concerts, too.

November 18: Avenged Sevenfold with guests Buckcherry, Shinedown and Saving Abel / Tickets are $35 and are available at all TicketMaster outlets or by visiting www.TicketMaster.com

Like I said there aren’t a lot of shows happening at the Deltaplex, but it is a quality venue and when they do get shows, they are usually pretty good. Don’t let this one pass you by!

Robert Clark Seger was born on May 6, 1945 in Dearborn, Michigan – he is of course much better known as the singer/songwriter Bob Seger, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

He’s done many famous songs, including Night Moves, Like A Rock, Old Time Rock And Roll (named one of the Songs of The Century in 2001) and many, many more. He’s done numerous studio recordings, released several live recordings and has done a lot more, too – such as appearances on other albums and so on. According to Seger, his musical influences include Little Richard and Elvis Presley and James Brown.

William Robinson Jr. was born on February 19, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan – though he is probably known a lot better by the name ‘Smokey’ Robinson.

Smokey Robinson is an R&B / Soul singer, and a former record producer and record executive, as well. He is a singer and songwriter, and plays the piano to boot. Smokey Robinson’s music was so popular and so soulful, that The Beatles’ John Lennon even made several mentions of Robinson as one of his musical influences.

Smokey Robinson is still alive today – as of this writing his is 68 years old, and has even had some singles make it onto the American R&B Charts as recently at 1999; albeit at a rather poor rating.

If you are a fan of bluegrass style music, you are going to love Greensky Bluegrass. Of course, if you are a fan, then you are probably already well aware of the unique and talented five-piece from Kalamazoo known as Greensky Bluegrass. They’ve even shared the stage with such nationally renowned jam band acts such as Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams, Railroad Earth, Bela Fleck and many, many more great musicians from a variety of genres. If you haven’t seen these boys play their home style blend of folk/Americana/rock/bluegrass, then you’re missing out, and you should make it a priority to see Greensky Bluegrass as soon as possible.

There are some great shows coming to The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan here to close out October and bring us all the way through November! Check ‘em out below, and buy your tickets today!

October 23: Dope w/Dirge, It Lies Within, 60 Second Crush / Tickets $10 in advance

October 29: Saliva w/Drowning Pool, Tantric, Jet Black Stare / Tickets $30

November 1: Mushroomhead Halloween Concert / Tickets $15

November 4: Blind Melon w/Dirty Americans / Tickets $18

November 15: Nonpoint w/12 Stones, Anew Revolution / Tickets $15

November 19: Soulfly w/Bleed The Sky, Incite, Devastation, Decay / Tickets $20

November 21: Flaw w/The Dreaming, Displaced / Tickets $10

With 3 kids, and a half billion dollars between them, it is finally official – Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are getting a divorce. There has been much speculation over the past few weeks that their relationship has been on the rocks, and rumors are abound that Madonna may be responsible for the recent break up of Alex Rodriguez and his girlfriend…I suppose we’ll find out if this is true soon enough, but one thing is for sure. Some of her recent songs have indeed been themed around their rocky relationship and their upcoming divorce, and papers have now been filed – the divorce will be happening.

Well since we had an article about Eminem, we’re almost obligated to mention his main crew, known as The Dirty Dozen or D-12.

Early on, the rap group known as D-12 was made up of Eminem, Bizarre, Eye-Kyu, Killa Hawk, Fuzz Scoota and DJ Proof. Some members would leave and some would join throughout the years, and eventually tragedy would strike not once, but twice.

Bugz, one of D-12’s members was killed one day at a picnic before a show in Detroit. DJ Proof also died a few years later from a gunshot wound to the head – this also happened in Detroit, and on the infamous 8 Mile Road no less.

If He Dies He Dies is a heavy metal/rock/progressive band out of the Muskegon and Grand Rapids area of Michigan. They have gotten a great deal of local press and coverage, and have even toured nationally and shared the stage with the likes of Phil Anselmo, ex-lead singer of Pantera, Mastodon, Death by Stereo and a lot more. If He Dies He Dies has even had a featured track on a tribute CD for the heavy metal thrash band Eyehategod, and more.

If any one band from Michigan knows how to do it right, it’s definitely If He Dies He Dies. Be on the look for the guys to get the recognition they deserve real soon.

Most certainly everybody is aware of the white rapper Bruce Marshall Mathers III, better known as Eminem or Slim Shady. From the hard, ghetto streets of Detroit (most notably 8 mile road), Eminem rose through the rap game’s ranks quickly, and is one of rap’s all time best selling artists, with over 70 million albums sold worldwide.

He has had his share of the spotlight besides his music, too. Troubles with his on again, off again wife and numerous lawsuits were all the headline news for quite a while. It seems now he’s kind of faded away – but who knows what Slim Shady has in store for the future.

Cobo Hall, Cobo Arena, Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center – whatever you want to call it, the historic values of Cobo cannot be denied. Everybody who is anybody in the world of music has played here, and millions of fans have walked through the doors since the arena opened in 1960.

Despite its name, in my opinion, Cobo Hall as a venue sucks! Don’t get me wrong, the acoustics are great and the music sounded awesome – but the employees there are real jerks! Nothing but lazy, holier-than-thou meatheads…ugghhh. Parking wasn’t that bad – we managed to find a very close spot after about 10 minutes of looking.

1 Washington BLVD

Detroit, Michigan 48201

Love him or hate him, everybody in Michigan knows Ted Nugent – hell some even know him personally. Known as The Nuge and the Motor City Madman, he loves hunting and is quite conservative in a lot of his views. He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1948, and has played with the Amboy Dukes, The Damn Yankees and Damnocracy during his career – though he is probably most known for his self-titled act and his solo career that followed.

Ted Nugent has been known to play hundreds of shows a year, and from 1967-1973 averaged 300 shows a year, and 200 shows a year from 1974-1980. Whether or not you are a fan of his music or his views, you can’t deny the fact that this man’s definitely worked for his money.

The Macpodz come out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and play tons of local shows and even a lot of shows nationwide. One only needs to take a look at their website or MySpace page to see their exhausting list of dates at any given time.

The Macpodz are a six-piece jazz rock band, including vocals, flute, percussion, bass, keyboard, trumpet and even a flugelhorn (whatever the hell that is!) There debut was released in 2007, and quickly followed up with another release just a year later. These are the guys to keep an eye on around Ann Arbor – The Macpodz are on the rise, and fast!

Whether or not you like her music, really you don’t get much more famous than Diana Ross. And she too is from Michigan. Born and raised in Detroit, Diana Ross was amongst the earliest pioneers of the soul scene in Motown while leading the group The Supremes; of course she enjoyed a great deal of success with her own solo career, which she launched in 1970. And it is in fact still going to this day.

To date she has recorded nearly 60 studio albums, and was named “Female Entertainer of the Century” by Billboard Magazine. To back it up, Diana 18 number one singles in the U.S. – a Guinness record.

I’ve managed to get a hold of some promising news concerning the Rothbury Music Festival 2009 in Michigan. While the auction of the Double JJ ranch is still set to take place on October 30, and of course anything can still happen after that, there have been dates leaked for the 2009 Rothbury Music Festival (well sorta).

According to the security team of 2008’s Rothbury Festival (the same security team who does Bonnaroo in Tennessee and a number of other festivals around the country) have announced horseback training for their officers specifically for the Rothbury 2009 Music Festival, which according to their website is set to take place on July 2 through the 5 of 2009. Stay tuned here for more information as it breaks.

Just like the first week, the second week of October is also hype! It’s a great time to be attending concerts in Michigan right now – hopefully you can get out to see some of these!

October 8: Mstrkrft, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, Michigan

October 9: Joe Satriani, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, Michigan

October 10: Emerson Drive, The Intersection, Grand Rapids, Michigan

October 10: Edguy, Harpo’s, Detroit Michigan

October 11: All That Remains/Trivium, The Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, Michigan

October 11: Bad Boy Bill, The Intersection, Grand Rapids, Michigan

October 11: Motor City Music Festival 2008, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, Michigan

October 11: Misfits, Harpo’s, Detroit, Michigan

Yes, believe it or not, the material girl herself is from Michigan, too.

Born in Bay City, Michigan in 1958 with the birth name Madonna Louise Ciccone, she was raised in Rochester Hills, Michigan and she is certainly no stranger to the area.

She was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and she has won numerous awards for her work in both music and acting throughout the years – and for good reason, too. According to the RIAA, she is the best selling female rock artist in the 20^th century, and the 2^nd top selling female artist in the United States.

About half the size of the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Wings Stadium is still an awesome venue. Located in Kalamazoo, Wings Stadium is home to the Kalamazoo Wings ice hockey team and Kalamazoo Xplosion, part of Continental Indoor Football league.

While Wings Stadium has had some great and memorable shows in the past, I don’t think they really put on many concerts these days – please if I am wrong, someone correct me – but I’m pretty sure they spend their vast majority of their resources on the hockey team and the new indoor football team. Maybe someday they’ll start having good shows here – I for one hope they do.

3600 Vanrick Drive

Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

Another horrorcore rapper from the influence of the Insane Clown Posse, Esham delivers his style uniquely by combining it with acid rap – something that isn’t seen much. His underground raps talk mostly about death, murder, drug abuse and Satan worship – topics that have sold records since releasing his first one in high school.

Esham is another success in the rap game of Detroit – though he was born in New York Esham grew up on 7 Mile – not too far at all from the infamous 8 Mile. Esham wasn’t exactly the typical Detroit gangster, however. He studied piano, guitar and trombone in high school, and listen to bands such as Kiss and Ozzy Osbourne.

These guys made it real big on the Grunge scene in the mid to late 1990’s when the radio hit “Freshmen” hit airwaves nationwide – not many know that they were actually from Lansing, Michigan, and even done some recording in Studio C in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were formed in 1991, and although no official word has been given in whether or not they will ever perform together again, they have released a CD as recently as 2001. Besides this, many members continue to make music with side and solo projects, making this possibility of a reunion tour and maybe even some new material very likely.

Well this doesn’t have to do directly with Michigan (except for the fact that 3/4 of the band just played at the Rothbury Festival here) but it is HUGE news to a lot people in the music world…and being a music, we’re covering it. So without further delay, here’s the information as it stands:

March 6, 7, and 8 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Vermont:

PHISH

Tickets are $49.50 – they are very limited and available only by phone or through the Phish online ticketing system at Music Today.

These are the only shows announced yet, but they have said more are coming soon. Stay tuned here for details on when Phish will play Michigan in 2009!

Talk about a busy week! Let’s take a look at the first 7 days in October here in Michigan

October 1: Bassnectar, The Intersection – Grand Rapids, Michigan

October 2: Umphrey’s McGee, Kalamazoo State Theatre – Kalamazoo, Michigan

October 3: Hello Dave, The Intersection – Grand Rapids, Michigan

October 4: Five Finger Death Punch, Orbit Room – Grand Rapids, Michigan

October 5: Matt Wertz, The Intersection – Grand Rapids, Michigan

October 6: Ray LaMontagne, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, Michigan

October 7: Ani DiFranco, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, Michigan

And there have it! The first 7 days of the month of October are jam packed with something for everyone, and as always here in Michigan, there is a lot more coming up!