The Flint Music Scene was once his stomping grounds. Then came the rest of Michigan, from Saginaw to Detroit, to Canada and into the entire mid-west. Nothing could stop Lafayette Yarborough as he briefly dominated AM Radio and was the talk of the town during his Lafayette and the LaSabres era. Weeks and sometimes months, playing up to seven nights …

If you haven't had a chance to listen to our Season 1 Episode 8 with Mike, covering record stores, free jazz, his radio show Destination Out, or his long time ensemble, Northwoods Improvisers, please start there. Then head right back here. After all, that was the first episode of the MMHP that catapulted us around the world with our Michigan Music …

Somewhere in Ann Arbor, across to Detroit, the folklore of the '60s planted seeds in south Michigan. One of the front-runners to this soapbox congregation was Andy Cohen. Spending years crafting and honoring tradition, Cohen happened upon Andrew Rogers in Ann Arbor and the 'rest is history' as has been repeated. Here is a reunion, alive with song, …

Musician Michelle Coltrane, daughter of Alice, step-daughter of John, offers backstory on Alice's time growing up in Detroit through Michelle's own growing up time between California, New York, and visits to Detroit. Michelle has proclaimed, 'The Year of Alice Coltrane' here in 2024 (with a centennial celebration of John coming soon as well!). This…

Heads up Michigan Music Fans: It’s been a year since I did my last Mid-Mitten ‘15’ From Harvest Canteen as a bonus episode for the MMHP—and while you patiently await Part 2 this Thursday for Zydeco Ziggy, I am prepping a one-on-one phone conversation with the one and only Mary Lee Kortes. 100% Portland, Michigan, by way of Brooklyn, New York (since…

Mid Mitten 15 From Harvest Canteen: Special One-On-One Discussions with Michigan Music Artists. MM15HC listeners: Tuesday Ep:2 debuts with Hemlock Americana musician Billy Shane Young! Our interview will put you in the driver seat of one of the most unique writers Michigan has to offer. 20 plus years of solo shows and albums (such as his band Burde…

More bang for the earbuds—On top of our bi-weekly podcasts (Available on all our podcast outlets pinned top post here), the Dr. J & Sir Fred Weekend Michigan Music Selections (Facebook Fans Exclusive), Mr. Mike’s periodic Michigan Comes Live Friday Video Blog (Facebook Fans Exclusive), Scott is adding a periodic show for Tuesday’s (Also Facebook Su…

Somewhere in Ann Arbor, across to Detroit, the folklore of the '60s planted seeds in south Michigan. One of the front-runners to this soapbox congregation was Andy Cohen. Spending years crafting and honoring tradition, Cohen happened upon Andrew Rogers in Ann Arbor and the 'rest is history' as has been repeated. Here is their reunion, alive with so…

Loren Kranz (Ragbirds, Barbarossa Bros, Solo, +) and Sean Drysdale (Banana Convention, CDF Band, Solo) are new lighthouses on the edge of the Michigan Rock and Roll Peninsula. Both hail from the Mid-Michigan area, both uber-creative types that make every band or project they involve themselves in 200% better, just because of what they bring to the …

From his beginnings following his family's roots to Michigan, Steve Lyman found his way to befriending the Quackenbush family, helping found The Fugitives. That result would catapult him into early Michigan rock and roll history within the band Scot Richard Case, later to be familiarized as SRC. The band became one of the first major label players …

From his beginnings following his family's roots to Michigan, Steve Lyman found his way to befriending the Quackenbush family, helping found The Fugitives. That result would catapult him into early Michigan rock and roll history within the band Scot Richard Case, later to be familiarized as SRC. The band became one of the first major label players …

Known to roll the Cajun off his tongue so fluently, you would think he was from Louisiana. Don 'Ziggy' Zeitler strolls around the country brandishing a multi-instrumentalist pedigree with a bluesman's heart. Zig has been a mainstay from the Saginaw area. Growing up in Hemlock, Zig caught the bug early on. Now doing just exactly what he wants to do …

Known to roll the Cajun off his tongue so fluently, you would think he was from Louisiana, Don 'Ziggy' Zeitler strolls around the country brandishing a multi-instrumentalist pedigree with a bluesman's heart. Zig has been a mainstay from the Saginaw area. Growing up in Hemlock, Zig caught the bug early on. Now doing just exactly what he wants to do …

While Review was kicked off in 1979, under three different names, Bob Martin has manned the helm since its inception. Blending Mid-Michigan's music scene (stretching all north, over to Mt. Pleasant, down to Lansing and Flint, and into the thumb), Martin has blended political content with the arts longer than any current journalist in the area. Best…

Born the son of a 3-year-old drum prodigy, Marty Kempf was no slouch himself as a drummer and all around musician. Taking over the family business of Whitehead Music, which opened in 1919, Big Bands were the name of the game and Vaudeville-style touring was part of the job. Kempf takes us through the era's of music, unions, played and print-notatio…

Mary Gilbert was there singing with her Uncle's Big Band when she was a child. Part of the Jessup genes have been past on to Mary, who along with husband Brent Gilbert have managed to secure a place in Mid-Michigan's jazz scene, with the likes of Easy Street & Co., Second Time Around, and their own duo, He Said She Said. Between Brent's lush guitar…

Daniel Bernard O'Connell is a die cast original purebred Michigan rock bassist. From being in the first band to play at the Grande Ballroom opening for the MC5 and taking The Wha? for a strut, or being courted by Alto Reed's duo mid-70s, opening for Seger and Van Halen while in Barooga Bandit (at Bay City at Central High as a landmark) and, sharing…

Daniel Bernard O'Connell is a die cast original purebred Michigan rock bassist. From being in the first band to play at the Grande Ballroom opening for the MC5 and taking The Wha? for a strut, or being courted by Alto Reed's duo mid-70s, opening for Seger and Van Halen while in Barooga Bandit (at Bay City at Central High as a landmark) and, sharing…

From his teen rock beginnings in the '60's, John Hebert was tuned into the Michigan music scenes. He had gone from playing the stages and festivals of Michigan Lore to tackling the blues in Ann Arbor into the '70s. A Tri-City boy, Hebert has spent every decade since the '60s keeping his guitar chops up to par, being part of epic bands along the way…

From across the corn fields where the woods got heavy, Johnny Winter sounds possessed Michael 'Hooker Man' Brand. His acoustic country beginnings became electrified rock blues that elevated him across the state. Sharron 'Levi Rose' Brand was a gifted songwriter, no-rules wild child, that made her way to Mid-Michigan via Boulder, CO. When Levi & Hoo…

Current Band=CDF (Cashman/Drysdale/Furlo). Forever a Saginaw music maven, Mick Furlo began a string of musical excellence that dates back to the early '80s. His band was the farm-team for many of the rock greats to leave the area, particularly two members of The Verve Pipe. A former club owner, Furlo's golden pipes have become a mid-Michigan touchs…

Current Band=CDF (Cashman/Drysdale/Furlo). Forever a Saginaw music maven, Mick Furlo began a string of musical excellence that dates back to the early '80s. His band was the farm-team for many of the rock greats to leave the area, particularly two members of The Verve Pipe. A former club owner, Furlo's golden pipes have become a mid-Michigan touchs…

We were blessed to finally land one of the greatest DJ/Michigan Music History LEGENDS to our show. After two attempts, Ric made a visit to our new MMHP digs at the Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame in Bay City, this past July 3, 2023. Sadly, we lost Ric to a stroke on Sept. 5, 2023. Ric shared his music passion with us, as he did many others via b…

Taking a step back and reflecting on three years of the MMHP989, Hosts Dr. J, Sir Fred, and Mr. Mike wanted to kick of Season 4 with the backstory on Scott's new concept album Purpose, relased this past April. The players, the reason it took two and a half years, the sounds, production, the Michigan Rock elements, the concept album elements, and ev…

Highlighting the entertainment coming to Hell's Half Mile Film and Music Fest here in Bay City, MI in 2023! This special edition brings back HHM Music Curator Don Hessell for an announcement on the music coming to the state, as well as a wrap up of last year. Make sure to catch the aftershow for more future outlook ideas and discussion...…

Part 2 of 2 with the drummer behind The Bossmen, Popcorn Blizzard, a stint with ? and The Mysterians, and all around Michigan rock notable from the original scene that started it all in the '60s. Pete takes us into the workings of all the bands, the behind the scenes with Dick Wagner, Warren Keith, Lanny Roenicke, Susie Woodman, Meatloaf, Rick Bozz…

Part 1 of 2 with the drummer behind The Bossmen, Popcorn Blizzard, a stint with ? and The Mysterians, and all around Michigan rock notable from the original scene that started it all in the '60s. Pete takes us into the workings of all the bands, the behind the scenes with Dick Wagner, Warren Keith, Lanny Roenicke, Susie Woodman, Meatloaf, Rick Bozz…

Original Michigan keyboardist Susie Woodman takes us from her love of the Michigan Rock Sound in the '60s to the stage as a musician and manager during a time when the sound was brand new. Responsible for bringing Meatloaf to Freeland, Michigan and helping jumpstart his career, Susie was then married to ex-Bossmen drummer Pete Woodman and found suc…

Original Michigan keyboardist Susie Woodman takes us from her love of the Michigan Rock Sound in the '60s to the stage as a musician and manager during a time when the sound was brand new. Responisble for bringing Meatloaf to Freeland, Michigan and helping jumpstart his career, Susie was then married to ex-Bossmen drummer Pete Woodman and found suc…

Homespun has been broadcast since the mid '80s out of WCMU, put together by Tom T. Ball. Known for his Americana and roots show, Ball also is the bassist in Crazy Chestur, a Mid-Michigan Roots Rock Supergroup. Ball takes us from his early days in Cadillac and paints a portrait of a sponge, soaking in Americana music coming from a rocker background.…

Homespun has been broadcast since the mid '80s out of WCMU, put together by Tom T. Ball. Known for his Americana and roots show, Ball also is the bassist in Crazy Chestur, a Mid-Michigan Roots Rock Supergroup. Ball takes us from his early days in Cadillac and paints a portrait of a sponge, soaking in Americana music coming from a rocker background.…

As an author, he's the final word on Hastings Street myth and lore--the blues, the blood, the boundaries bloated and bemused. When it comes to what Hollywood says, they refer to his books and then twist it up with some glamor that never happened to sell tickets. Cohassey calls their bullshit and bluffs. He talked to those that knew John Lee Hooker,…

As an author, he's the final word on Hastings Street myth and lore--the blues, the blood, the boundaries bloated and bemused. When it comes to what Hollywood says, they refer to his books and then twist it up with some glamor that never happened to sell tickets. Cohassey calls their bullshit and bluffs. He talked to those that knew John Lee Hooker,…

Lane Valliere was in the hot seat as a guitarist/bassist in the '60s/early '70s Mid-Michigan Music scene, which included The Bossmen, ? and the Mysterians, The Frost, and Meatloaf. From stints with various bands, including performance on Timmothy Ward's infamous solo album Strange But True from 51 years ago, a freak car wash accident led Valliere d…

Our first 'return' guest on the MMHP, Bay City, MI, Author and Beatles fanatic Kristofer Engelhardt was our first author discussion outside of Sir Fred, during Season 1, Episode 12. He was already at work on Fully Uncovered when we sat him down to talk about his books, Beatles Series and Mark Farner. Please give that episode a listen once again and…

Dixieland at its apex, is a tradition and musical revolution long awaiting its rebirth, like the recent resurgence in Bluegrass music (thanks in part to Billy Strings from Michigan). No one raised the bar on a national level higher than the mighty King from Saginaw, Dave Opperman and The New Reformation Band. Not only a musical torchbearer, Opperma…

Donning the proper cowboy hat in the Mid-West isn't always the way to rock. Butch Heath did not care one bit. Stories, feelings, songs, the old fashioned way, Heath had his share of attempts with rockabilly and a touch of Rock Around The Clock. But it was the singers, songs, and songwriting that told the old tales like no one else could that pulled…

Donning the proper cowboy hat in the Mid-West isn't always the way to rock. Butch Heath did not care one bit. Stories, feelings, songs, the old fashioned way, Heath had his share of attempts with rockabilly and a touch of Rock Around The Clock. But it was the singers, songs, and songwriting that told the old tales like no one else could that pulled…

Chances are you have seen this man at a music event, or a local promotion, or maybe in your grocery store. You have probably heard his voice and not realized that Scott Seeburger plays a monster role in the Mid-Michigan Arts scene. From his own WSJS Am pirate radio station to becoming a scholarship granter to the local arts, Scott has mentioned, pr…

Although not well known at the time, Universal was the first record company in Michigan and Author/Musician/DJ Craig Maki has just released his second book, detailing all about it. Titled Tomorrow Brings Memories--Michigan's First Underground Record Company, Maki explores a selection of music which became a jukebox phenomenon in the heyday of the b…

Renown for his LEGENDARY Poster art, from Detroit to San Francisco and beyond, artist/musician/storyteller/Military Vet Dennis Loren has been a staple in visuals and artistic music since the dawn of rock and roll. Dennis takes us on a journey from Michigan to San Francisco and back--right up to delivering Carlos Santana's mail back in the day to ma…

Renown for his LEGENDARY Poster art, from Detroit to San Francisco and beyond, artist/musician/storyteller/Military Vet Dennis Loren has been a staple in visuals and artistic music since the dawn of rock and roll. Dennis takes us on a journey from Michigan to San Francisco and back--right up to delivering Carlos Santana's mail back in the day to ma…

Renown for his LEGENDARY Poster art, from Detroit to San Francisco and beyond, artist/musician/storyteller/Military Vet Dennis Loren has been a staple in visuals and artistic music since the dawn of rock and roll. Dennis takes us on a journey from Michigan to San Francisco and back--right up to delivering Carlos Santana's mail back in the day to ma…

The Gilmour Brothers may be their claim to fame, but the backstory for the trio that joined the MMHP for this 2 part episode, John Gilmour, Tom 'Jigger' Jurgens, and Mike Jahncke goes DEEP! Jug Band (Original Low-Classed Half-Fast Jug and Blues Band), The Zoo, and beyond... They have shared the stage with the Turtles, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Chuck…

The Gilmour Brothers may be their claim to fame, but the backstory for the trio that joined the MMHP for this 2 part episode, John Gilmour, Tom 'Jigger' Jurgens, and Mike Jahncke goes DEEP! Jug Band (Original Low-Classed Half-Fast Jug and Blues Band), The Zoo, and beyond... They have shared the stage with the Turtles, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Chuck…

When Larry McCray was nominated for a Grammy for his new album in 2022, standing along side of him on the songwriter mountain was our next guest Charlie Walmsley. Charlie has written and recorded with McCray for over 30 years. Not to mention his own time with various bands including the '90s popular Bluegills and his current outfit of class A music…

Jim Bauer was one of the voices on radio people couldn't help but tune into. Synonymous with listeners on WKNX in Saginaw, CHUM FM in Toronto and WRIF in Detroit, Bauer also was out East briefly at WHVY Massachusetts, among others. Tuning in to the trusted voice, one could hear classic rock and FM in its earliest stages. He debut songs from Alice C…

Getting his start on bass around the same time of the breakthrough for Question Mark and the Mysterians, Bay City Central musician Rickey Dishaw was drafted and went overseas, leaving his popular '60s band Standing Room Only at home. When he least expected it, the Army needed a bassist for one of the first American Army rock bands. He got to tour t…

We kicked off Season 3 the right way, with a two part series from Michigan's Folk Queen and current Lucky Nows frontperson, Jen Cass. Pulling her away from her comfortable life in Flushing, MI, Jen took us back to her roots, performs songs, and delivers why she fights the good fight for the people with her music and at her day job. Part 2 contains …

WELCOME TO SEASON 3 of the MMHP in the 989! We offer another year of fantastic, in-depth interviews and music directly from Michigan artists from ALL genres. We kick off Season 3 the right way, with a two part series from Michigan's Folk Queen and current Lucky Nows frontperson, Jen Cass. Pulling her away from her comfortable life in Flushing, MI, …