Keeping the spotlight on talented West Michigan bands and the burgeoning regional concert scene: That’s been a mission of John’s since becoming a lead music critic and entertainment writer for The Grand Rapids Press 15 years ago. As publisher of Local Spins, that’s continued 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 Local Spins Live.
John 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.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
The season-ending Lake City-area music festival drew hundreds of musicians and thousands of revelers for an opening salvo of magical experiences. Check out the first-day highlights and a photo gallery at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids hip hop artist unfurled new songs in-studio for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by 10 other West Michigan acts. Read the story of JRob, watch a video of his in-studio performance and listen to the entire radio show podcast at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Features · Videos
The ‘top secret’ project had 15 female vocalists gathering to record the Fleetwood Mac song at Third Coast Recording in Grand Haven earlier this week. Watch the video at Local Spins and see which artists were involved in this unusual project.
Breaking music news · Upcoming shows
Students, alumni and staff rallied to save the program. Now, ‘the future of SAO is bright,’ with the campus concert series kicking off later this month. Get the back story on how the program was rescued and what it means for Calvin University and concertgoers.
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week starts with the roar of GWAR, but there are also big shows starring JRob, The Accidentals, Pink Sky, Earth Radio, Delbert McClinton and way more firing up stages in West Michigan. Get the complete concert lowdown at Local Spins along with this week’s Under-the-Radar Picks.
Summer Festivals · Upcoming shows
The season-ending music festival outside Lake City will unfurl next weekend with more than 130 performances by regional stars on four stages. See why musicians think this event is so special and check out the weekend schedule at Local Spins.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Festivals · Videos
Saturday’s Backyard Bash outside the Comstock Park brewery drew thousands for sets by Jake Kershaw, The Hacky Turtles, Paradise Outlaw, Hollywood Makeout and Kozmic Mama. Browse the photos at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Local Spins on WYCE · Playlists
Wednesday’s thunderstorm knocked out critical equipment along with Friday’s upcoming edition of Local Spins on WYCE. So, you can listen to some of the songs from the show right here.
Two Michigan artists earned acclaim this week, with Albion’s The War and Treaty winning the Americana Music Association’s “Emerging Act of the Year” in Nashville and Nathan Walton getting a thumbs up in a Detroit audition for ‘American Idol.’
Big List Concert Guide · Upcoming shows
The week also features Reverend Raven, Sebastian Bach, Patty PerShayla, Laith Al-Saadi, Langhorne Slim, Deerfield Run and Project 1’s first-ever Blue Bridge Amplified. Get the complete concert lowdown in this week’s Big List Concert Guide at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
The Grand Rapids-area band unfurled fetching new indie-rock/pop tunes for Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted tracks by JRob, Bootstrap Boys, The Soods, Stevie Reidz, The Journeymen, Paradise Outlaw and Winnow. Listen to the podcast and watch the in-studio video.
Album Releases · Audio · Hot Top 5
A new slate of regional albums made a splash on WYCE-FM in August. Check out the full chart, listen to the featured artists and check out the roster of new local releases.
