Michigan Music Blog

Just a little reminder to all of my readers out there, I know a lot of you are going to be attending the Motor City Metal Fest at Harpo’s. Remember, it is set to go down this Saturday, January 24th. There is a ton of great metal bands playing this show, and with tickets priced at only $12 it really is a steal. Get there early – doors open at 4 pm, and it’s going to be a long night with 20 bands on 2 separate stages. And remember, this is an all ages show – so be careful when you are rockin out amongst the kiddies!

Friday, January 23 at 9:30 pm: Starling Electric, Great Lakes Myth Society, Lightning Love
Saturday, January 24 at 9:30 pm: Supercontent, A Working Model, Oceans, Ganon
Sunday, January 25 at 7:00 pm: Frightened Rabbit, Right On Dynamite
Sunday, January 25 at 10:30 pm: Bad Party, Youu, Dark Red, DJ Charles Trees
Tuesday, January 27 at 9:30 pm: We Were Like Rockets, Radio Hanoi, Blank Mind
Wednesday, January 28 at 9:30 pm: Tyler Devos and The Dry County Boys, Light In August, Dirty Birds
Thursday, January 29 at 9:30 pm: Souldub, King Jazzy, The Orange Marsupials, Essence of Ape
Friday, January 30 at 9:30 pm: The Great Divide, Bump
Saturday, January 31 at 9:30 pm: One.Be.Lo and Black Milk

The Saints and Sinners Tour featuring Hollywood Undead & Senses Fail wsg. Haste the Day, Brokencyde

This one is shaping up to be a real good show, and if you’re not yet familiar with Hollywood Undead you better get on top of it. Oh yeah, and Senses Fail is pretty good, too – actually, I personally think they could be the headliner all on their own. But then again, what do I know?

An early rock/pop artist, Del Shannon’s birth name was Charles Weedon Westover. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and grew up in Coopersville, and lived from December 30, 1934 to February 8, 1990. He was found dead by his wife by way of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 55 – many blame the anti-depressant drug Prozac for his suicide.

Del Shannon was best known for 1961 number 1 hit “Runaway”, though he would have several songs following this that also reached the charts at one position or another – “Hats Off To Larry” made it to #5 on the Billboard charts and “Little Town Flirt” made it to #12 on the list.

The Intersection is a great venue in Grand Rapids, and they’ve always got killer shows lined up here. The front half is a bar, which is even open on the few days where there is no music going on, but the back concert arena is a great place to catch a live show. There is a bar back here as well, and bathrooms too so you won’t have to go all the way to the front. The Intersection is located right across from the Grand Rapids bus terminal, and there are plenty of available parking spots on the street and in nearby parking lots.

In case you haven’t heard the status of the Double JJ Resort and the 2009 Rothbury Music Festival, it is official:

The exact 2009 Rothbury Dates aren’t set in stone, but it is expected to take place July 2 – 5. A lineup will be released soon, and tickets will be going on sale shortly, as well – make sure to have your cash ready, as they might just sell o*ut completely this year; especially with Rothbury 2009 rumors including The Dead and Phish. Keep it tuned here, to the Michigan Music Blog, or check out www.infobury.com for all of the latest breaking news about the Rothbury Festival 2009! Between the 2 sites, you’ll have all the information you could ever need!

It’s been two weeks since the ball dropped in Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids, Michigan and everybody enjoyed their own New Year’s festivities, as well – but not everything went off without a hitch. Apparently, two people were shot while attending New Year’s On The Grand – both were hit by stray bullets as a result of somebody firing their gun in the air in celebration. Remember – what comes up, must come down.

There was also a man killed in a shootout with the police at the Lady Godiva Showgirls Lounge in Grand Rapids – the man was responsible for shooting 2 inside the night club just moments prior, on New Year’s Eve.

Clutch Cargo’s in Pontiac, Michigan always has some good shows – and 2009 looks like it’s going to continue the trend. Check out what they already have lined up.

Friday, January 16 at 8:00 pm: David Allan Coe wsg to be announced. Tickets are $26.50 in advance/$30 day of the show – all ages

Sunday, March 15 at 6:00 pm: Saints and Sinners Tours featuring Hollywood Undead, Sense Fail, Haste The Day, Brokencyde. Tickets are $20 – all ages

Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00 pm: Mindless Self Indulgence wsg to be announced. Tickets are $20 – all ages

Friday, March 27 at 7:00 pm: Katy Perry wsg Alphabet. Tickets are $18 in advance/$20 day of the show – all ages

Thursday, April 09 at 6:00 pm: Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Sky Eats Airplane, Emarosa. Tickets are $15 in advance/$18 day of the show – all ages.

Tuesday, January 13 at 9:30 pm: Hana, The Ludes, Far From Civilized, Fair Herald
Wednesday, January 14 at 9:30 pm: Amino Acids, Don’t Ask, The Clots, The Plurals
Thursday, January 15 at 9:00 pm: Alex Brumel & Janel Elizabeth, Charlene Kaye, Darren Criss
Friday, January 16 at 9:30 pm: Mason Proper, Javelins, The Mighty Narwhale
Saturday. January 17 at 9:30 pm: Aleph-1
Tuesday, January 18 at 8:00 pm: Versificators, Bantha Fodder, Texas Prison Rodeo, Fas
Wednesday, January 21 at 9:30 pm: Inkface and The Digital Dream, Albino Tarantula Army, I Love Dinosaurs, Basshound
Thursday, January 22 at 9:30 pm: The Satin Peaches, Farewell Republic, Manolete

Friday, January 9: GRAVESIDE MANNER CD release party wsg Swingin Demons, Cash O’Riley, Empty Arms, Brother
Saturday, January 10: FRAMING HANLEY w/So Much For Simple, Sour Jane, Amplaphi / $10 in advance
Friday, January 16: FREQUENCY 54 / ZEN/ SARAPH and more tba
Saturday, January 17: Indi-Grace showcase featuring Skarrd, Fluwid, Amygdala, 2nd System, It Lies Within
Friday, January 23: ASHES OF SOMA w/Fifth Way and One Mans Opinion
Saturday, January 24: WHITEY MORGAN w/The Howling Diablos, Empty Orchestra
Friday, January 30: THE MAN IN BLACK-JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE w/SHAWN BARKER
Saturday, January 31: SLAVE TO THE METAL showcase hosted by FUSE’s Mistress Juliya
Saturday, February 14: BOBAFLEX w/ support tba
Thursday, February 22: CLUTCH / 21 and over / $25 in advance on sale 1/9/09

***Update May 26th 2009***

Check our comments for the latest updates on Dunegrass 2009!

We’ve heard from Ted and here’s the news….

“Hello Michigan Music Blog and lovers of festival music.
I bear good tidings and news of Dunegrass 2009. The spirit and reality of Dunegrass lives throughout the land and in the hearts of many such as the wonderful people above me here, and it is being planned as I type this. A new site has been secured just outside of Empire. We are reviving the original recipe for Dunegrass and the response is wonderful.
Our new site is http://www.dunegrass3.org
Please be patient for complete info to be posted.
Thank you all for the spirit of DG.

Ted

Just so you know, Grass Roots Productions is not and will not be involved in any way.”

*****

Original post 1/8/2009

According to the Leelanau News, there is a strong possibility that the Sleeping Bear Dunegrass and Blues Festival might not take place in Empire, Michigan in August of this year – and it might not take place at all. Dunegrass is a little-known festival that has been held in the Northern part of the Lower Peninsula for well over a decade now.

But the Leelanau News reports that Stephen Volas of Grassroots Productions, the company that runs and organizes the Dunegrass Music Festival is nearly a quarter of a million dollars in debt – and at this point it is unclear whether or not the Dunegrass 2009 festival will indeed go down as planned.

Wow! There are already tons of good shows booked for the New Year, all over Michigan. Let’s see where to start…well why not start with none other than Founder’s Brewery in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
Thursday, January 8: Valentiger and The Mighty Narwhale
Saturday, January 10: Nobody’s Darlin’
Thursday, January 15: Sam Corbin and Jen Sygit
Saturday, January 17: Organissimo
Thursday, January 22: Yet To Be Announced
Saturday, January 24: The Minor Profits wsg Michael and Benjamin Riley
Sunday, January 25: Disc Funktional Sunday

Thursday, January 29: Seth Bernard and Daisy May wsg Strings n’ Things
Saturday, January 31: Jimmie Stagger Blues Band

We’ve all been waiting on pins and needles, but finally today the lease between AEG Live (the festival promoters) and the bank trustee has been approved by a Grand Rapids judge. For those of you who don’t know, this was the biggest obstacle in the way of Rothbury 2009 happening. Once the Oceana Township Board approves the 2009 Rothbury Music Festival, and once they secure they proper land permits, it will be all good to go. But these last 2 things should be a breeze, and I’m sure we’ll have a lineup and some news before long. Either way, stay tuned to Michigan Music Blog for all of your Rothbury 2009 News!

Well we finally have some news concerning the Double JJ Ranch and The 2009 Rothbury Music Festival, and from what the local press is reporting, the news is very, very promising.

It appears a lease has been signed for the promoters to continue with the Rothbury Festival 2009 at the Double JJ Resort, and there will be an emergency court hearing today. If all goes as planned, the judge should approve the signing and it won’t be long now before we’re all back at the ranch! Some Rothbury 2009 Rumors include Tom Petty, The Dead, Phish, and several more…stay tuned for any more news as soon as we hear it!

Last Friday marked the beginning of the annual Heavyweight Championship of Rock at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Round 1 featured bands Charles the Osprey, Night of 1000 Knives, Absinthe, The Trial, Vintage, and Last Rite. Round 2 will continue Friday, January 9 with Choke, Release the Crimson, Kill Tomorrow, Our Fate In Hell, The Dead Last, En Vino Veritas. Round 3 will take place on Friday, January 16 with Weddg, Garda, Tru-Burn, Stockton, Genetic Drift, and State of the Union. Round 4 takes place on Friday, January 23 with Storied Life, Feeble, Brothers, Page 66, Breaknek, and Ascend The Throne.

The Heavyweight Championship Finals will begin on Saturday, February 7.

Though Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee and lived for a brief moment in Buffalo, New York, she grew up the fourth of five children in the city of Detroit, Michigan. She was a child prodigy with stellar piano skills and an angelic voice – but when she gave birth at the age of 14 her plans of following a music career had to be put on hold.

In 1960, now with 2 children, Aretha continued her pursuit in signed with Columbia Records, and even turned down contracts from Motown and RCA. She had little success with Columbia however, and soon signed onto Atlantic Records, which launched her gospel music career into stardom.

2009 is already shaping up to be a great year, and there have been some awesome concert announcements for The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan for both January 2009 and February 2009. If you’re looking to make plans for your future amidst all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, look no further than The Intersection 2009 concerts!

Friday, January 2: Heavyweight Championship of Rock

Saturday January 10: Frontiers – Ultimate Journey Tribute Band

Thursday, January 15: David Allen Coe

Thursday, January 21: The Wailers

Saturday, January 24: Jamey Johnson

Saturday, January 31: Man In Black – Johnny Cash

Thursday, February 5: JJ Grey & Mofro

Wednesday, February 11: Griffin House

Thursday, February 12: ZoSo – The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience

Well if you are reading this post, then congratulations – you’ve survived another year! And this one was a long and difficult one, for many, no doubt. But brighter times are ahead my friends, and it is now 2009!

Anyway, the folks at Michigan Music Blog just wanted to say thank you to all of our loyal readers we’ve gained over the past several months and thanks for making us your top source for all of the news in the world of Michigan music. Stay tuned in 2009, as we look forward to providing you all of the latest information as soon as we get it, here at Michigan Music Blog. Happy 2009!