As we rock into 2014, Local Spins takes a look at the top music stories on the website from the past year: the posts and features that drew the most interest from readers.
Drew Nelson: At the Tip Top Deluxe in 2013 and playing St. Cecilia on Jan. 9. (Photo/Local Spins)
On Friday, Local Spins will reveal its Local Spin of the Year Award — the West Michigan music website’s choice for the best local or regional album of 2013 (along with a list of other impressive recordings).
But before we get to that, it’s time to revisit the Local Spins stories and features that generated the most traffic from readers, mostly because they deserve to re-enter the spotlight for those that missed them the first time around and because they’re worth re-reading for those who found them compelling in the first place.
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So, without further adieu, here are the articles that generated the most traffic:
Drew Nelson
Top Musicians’ Soundboard Column for 2013 — Drew Nelson: From ‘dust bowl’ to grateful tears, success in music always a moving target
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Drew Nelson’s brutally honest essay on his travails as a touring performer holds heartwarming lessons for artists and non-artists alike. Read his column here. And see him perform as part of St. Cecilia Music Center’s Fresh Folk series on Jan. 9, when he’ll join a six-artist singer-songwriter round-robin. Get information about that online here.
It was one of many in a series of 2013 guest columns that gave West Michigan musicians a chance to express their passionate views on what they do. See more of them here, including the column that came in second in terms of reader traffic: The Outer Vibe’s Lisa Kacos: Fans count so don’t act like spoiled rock stars.
Hannah Rose Graves at Founders Brewing. (Photo/Anna Sink)
Top Local Spins Artist Spotlight Feature for 2013 — Hannah Rose Graves
Up-and-coming Grand Rapids singer Hannah Rose Graves — who was “born to sing” from her very soul — turned heads last year with her voice and engaging approach. It made her the surprising pick as the Local Spins Live guest on News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW) who drew the most attention from readers in 2013 — before she’s even released her first album. Read the Local Spins story and listen to her on-air performance online here. And tune into Local Spins Live every Wednesday at 10 a.m. on 1340 AM.
Don Dorshimer
Top Music News Story of 2013 — His final ride: Don Dorshimer, Orbit Room owner and West Michigan concert promoter
When longtime West Michigan concert promoter and Orbit Room owner Don Dorshimer passed away suddenly in October at the age of 56, it generated an outpouring of love and touching, fond remembrances from friends, relatives and music business associates for a fellow viewed as one of the most influential figures on the local music scene and, more importantly, a great guy. Read the story online here.
Top Weekend Photo Gallery of 2013 — Festival 2013
Appropriately enough and not surprisingly, the enduring Festival of the Arts generated the most reader traffic when it comes to scanning photos from the 2013 edition of the mammoth event in downtown Grand Rapids — a June festival that boasts hundreds of performances on several stages over three days. Enjoy it again in a story here at Local Spins, with the photos below.
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music
