The early September Local Spins music news roundup is chock full of nuggets, from a new concert series at Wealthy Theatre to a hot music video that pays tribute to the Great Lakes State.
When community radio station WYCE-FM decided some time ago to end its popular, long-running Hat Trick Concert Series at One Trick Pony, station manager Kevin Murphy insisted the station wanted to eventually launch another series that would take advantage of the Community Media Center’s handsome Wealthy Theatre.
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That time has arrived.
WYCE has announced that Wisconsin-bred roots-rock band The BoDeans will kick off the “Live at Wealthy Theatre” concert series at 8 p.m. Oct. 16. Parts of the show will air live on WYCE; GRTV will take video of the full concert for later broadcast.
“We are one of very few radio stations in the country with our own top-notch performance venue,” Murphy told Local Spins. “And we’re among even fewer stations that have the capability of doing live multimedia, multi-platform broadcasting from their own venue. For years, we’ve talked about doing a series that we could simulcast and/or record for later rebroadcast on GRTV and WYCE. And with all of the improvements that have been made at Wealthy during the recent sustainability campaign, we’re more eager than ever to make that happen.”
Although other acts haven’t yet been booked for the “occasional” series, Murphy said WYCE will likely book about six shows per year. “Ultimately, it’s going to evolve,” he said. “Right now, we just wanted to get the ball rolling.” They did so with The BoDeans, a veteran roots-rock act that Murphy says represents “a step up from the level of bands” the station could book at the smaller One Trick Pony. Now Austin-based, The BoDeans formed 30 years ago and have released 11 studio albums filled with heartland rock; their most recent, “American Made,” came out in 2012.
“We’re talking about artists that might not have enough draw to fill The Intersection, but would be too big for The Stache,” noted Murphy, “or artists that might not fill well stylistically at The Pyramid Scheme or Ladies Literary Club, but would have that 200- to 400-seat draw.”
As with the Hat Trick series, some proceeds will benefit a charity. D.A. Blodgett/St. John’s will receive 100 tickets to the show, with the organization keeping all proceeds from sales. Tickets are $15 in advance and available now online here, and through the Wealthy Theatre box office.
‘BLUE COLLAR’ VIDEO EARNS YOUTUBE ARDOR
For Grand Rapids native Ryan Scott, it’s all about love of The Mitten.
The graduate of Grand Rapids West Catholic High School and Western Michigan University has gone viral on YouTube with his “Blue Collar” remix of Macklemore’s “Same Love,” paying tribute to Michigan icons like The Big Three automakers, Eminem, Bob Seger, Joe Louis, Detroit Tigers, Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, sand dunes and more.
With vocal assistance from singer Katelyn Torres, the video of Scott’s remix shot by Big Foot Media already has logged more than 12,000 views on YouTube since Monday.
“I have been working with Colleen Pierson (WKTV) to do a remix all about Michigan, trying to shed a positive light on our great state,” said Scott, who now makes his home in Clarkston and who’s been associated in the past with the bands Miles High Major, The Legal Immigrants, Mr. Perfect and CDVR. “My hope is that, through my song, I can impact people and bring them hope and inspiration.”
Scott currently performs as a solo act. Check out his “Blue Collar” video above.
MUSICAL MAJIC: 2013-14 CONCERT SERIES ANNOUNCED
One could say the MAJIC concert series is perfectly titled.
Not only does the singular series held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church spotlight an eclectic blend of regional acts, but 100 percent of proceeds from the Music and Art for Justice In the Community concerts benefit the disadvantaged in the Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids.
And this year’s Friday night series continues the pattern of pairing a diverse set of musical acts with showings of visual art by Grand Rapids artists.
First started in 2007, MAJIC so far has raised more than $24,000 in donations to the Heartside Fund, Heartside Music Together (Hill Music Together) and the Coalition to End Homelessness. Admission is a suggested $10 donation at the door; all concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
Here’s the lineup for this season’s series held at the church at 250 Commerce Ave. SW:
Oct. 11 – Fauxgrass (progressive bluegrass), art by ArtPrize participants
Nov. 8 – Knock on Wood (percussion ensemble), art by Heartside Gallery artists
Dec. 13 – Hildegard Singers (a capella women’s group), art by Virginia Wierenga
Jan. 10 – Karisa Wilson (singer-songwriter), art by Kids of Hill Child Development Center
Feb. 14 – The Honeytones (rock), art by Richard Muller
March 14 – Chain of Lakes (indie-folk), art by Patti Sevensma
April 11 – Jenny Walvoord and Andrew Le (classical violin-piano duo), art by photographer Steven Huyser-Honig
Get more information online at the MAJIC website.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music