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 announcements · Upcoming shows
The upcoming year boasts some live music in non-traditional venues – namely museums – to help get you through the winter, with Fiona Dickinson kicking off 2019’s Concerts Under the Stars series, May Erlewine and Crystal Bowersox playing Grand Haven’s Music at the Museum and more. Here’s a look at a few of them with schedules to help you make your plans for early 2019.
Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Beyond a host of national acts, the week boasted crowd-pleasing local shows by The Concussions, Kaitlin Rose, The Moxie Strings, Nathan Walton and more. Browse photos and video snippets exclusively at Local Spins.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins on WYCE · Podcasts · Videos
This week’s edition of Local Spins on WYCE boasted a visit from two Grand Rapids blues icons who performed in-studio, plus track debuts from several Michigan artists, including Lockwood, Justin Wierenga, Dalmatian Stone, Float Here Forever, Frankie & Myrrh and North Country Rounders. Listen to the podcast, watch the video, learn more about Junior Valentine and Hank Mowery.
Announcements · Breaking music news · Videos
The quick-rising young rockers from Frankenmuth who cut their teeth at places like The Intersection in Grand Rapids will join big stars in bids for best new artist, rock song, rock performance and rock album. Get details at Local Spins and see what The Intersection thinks of the band’s meteoric rise.
The frontman for The Beveridge Brothers, one of West Michigan most popular bands in the 1970s and 1980s died Thursday morning. He’s remembered by friends and fellow musicians as an affable, influential musician.
Playlists · Top 10 Lists · Videos
Grand Rapids’ masked champions of surf rock, The Concussions, play Tip Top Deluxe on Saturday. So, Local Spins asked The Concussions’ Dick Chiclet, aka Tommy Schichtel, for an off-the-beaten-path holiday playlist with a retro twist. Check out the videos and listen to some classic Christmas tunes you may have never heard before.
Artist Spotlights · Local Spins Rewind · Videos
The Nathan Walton Band plays SpeakEZ Lounge tonight. Last July, the Byron Center native and singer-songwriter uncorked live renditions of songs from his impressive debut EP for Local Spins on WYCE. Check out this Local Spins Rewind feature on an up-and-coming new West Michigan talent.
