Spins on Music

John with radio host Dave Jaconette in the WJRW studios. (Photo/Anna Sinkevics)

Keeping the spotlight on talented West Michigan bands and the burgeoning regional concert scene: That’s been a mission of mine since becoming a lead music critic and entertainment writer for the Grand Rapids Press more than 13 years ago.

Now, as publisher of this Spins on Music website, that continues with news updates on Grand Rapids-area musical happenings, guest columns, photo galleries, concert reviews and weekly features on different artists who appear on radio on my Local Spins Live segment at 10 a.m. Wednesdays on News Talk 1340 AM, with a preview at 9:30 a.m. on 97 WLAV-FM.

And look for regular “Local Spins Live” concerts at area venues featuring many up-and-coming acts deserving broader exposure, including the historic, first-ever contemporary folk series held in St. Cecilia Music Center’s gorgeous Royce Auditorium.

I profile Local Spins artists at Spins on Music on Thursdays, with exclusive video performances on this site, and highlight weekly concert offerings and “under-the-radar” picks in the Grand Rapids area on The Big List published every Monday.

Local Spins reviews and features — as well as annual Local Spins of the Year awards — focus attention on a host of  important and eclectic Grand Rapids area bands and artists, including Drew Nelson, Ralston Bowles, Bless You Boys and most recently The Crane Wives and The Fuzzrites.

John with Michelle McCormick, Ed Buchanan and Tony Gates on WLAV-FM. (Photo/Anna Sinkevics)

I also write a monthly column for REVUE Magazine (Sink’s Spins on Music), focusing on developments taking place in West Michigan’s music scene and spotlighting new local and regional albums.

Local artists and bands should send new recordings/CDs to: John Sinkevics, 7491 Las Palmas Drive NE, Rockford MI 49341, along with updates on upcoming gigs and projects. And follow me on Twitter @johnsink.

Fans and musicians are encouraged to send me photos from weekend concerts taking place across West Michigan to share as part of Spins On Music’s Weekend Photo Galleries. Email photos — listing the performer, venue and photographer — to jsinkevics@gmail.com by Sunday morning.

More about John: He’s currently a music columnist for REVUE Magazine and co-hosts the weekly “Local Spins Live” radio segment on News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW) at 10 a.m. every Wednesday, as well as “talking music” as a guest on WLAV-FM (96.9) at 9:30 a.m. He also sponsors a Local Spin of the Year award for West Michigan bands/artists and organizes regular “Local Spins Live” concerts featuring local and regional acts, along with posting CD reviews of regional artists and bands. John was honored in early 2012 by community radio station WYCE-FM at the Jammie Awards as a Legacy Award winner, recognized as a “Community Partner” for his support of the local music scene.

He holds an honors degree in journalism from the University of Michigan and is co-founder of The Honeytones, once described as “the deans of Grand Rapids’ pop-rock scene” and a band that stages an annual Feedback concert to benefit Access of West Michigan’s food pantries for the needy.

He’s also a diehard fan of the Detroit Tigers and, especially, the Detroit Lions, proudly wearing a “Rebuilding Since ’57″ T-shirt which, sadly, has proven to be the case year in and year out for this underachieving NFL franchise.

Follow him on Twitter @johnsink. To contact John, email him at jsinkevics@gmail.com. Also, artists and bands seeking professionally written bios can email John for information at jsinkevics@gmail.com.

To advertise on the Spins on Music website: Email John at jsinkevics@gmail.com. This is a website with a targeted, devoted audience interested in the Grand Rapids area music scene. You can reach those readers effectively and directly on a daily basis with a Spins on Music banner ad that links to your business website. And ask about special rates for bands and nonprofit organizations.

All material at Spins on Music: Copyright 2012, 2013 by John Sinkevics and Spins on Music. (Not to be reused without permission … but we’re likely to give it to help spread the word!)