Today, the Local Spins series revealing albums that have impacted musicians and music industry movers and shakers spotlights longtime concert promoter Nate Dorough.
Classics and a Pop-Rock Gem: A few of Nate Dorough’s favorite albums.
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians and music industry personnel can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Local Spins today showcases music that changed the world for longtime Michigan concert promoter Nate Dorough, currently programming director for The Pyramid Scheme. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of his picks.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Nate Dorough has been surrounded by music ever since he can remember.
“I’m a big music fan. My dad and brother played guitar. I didn’t. I can type 100 words a minute, but could never figure out the guitar,” he says. “My parents listened to a lot of music. I remember my mom would play Pink Floyd’s ‘A Momentary Lapse Of Reason’ at insane levels to wake us up. My dad was into Foreigner, Dire Straits, Grand Funk. My mom loved Phil Collins.”
Nate Dorough (Courtesy Photo)
Dorough eventually parlayed his interest in music, live music in particular, into a self-created position of concert promoter, booking shows for venues across the state.
“I got a late start. I fell into construction, architecture and civil engineering and hated it. I got into the business through booking shows DIY.”
He now serves as director of programming for The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids.
“The thing I did for fun – I could make a living at it? My hobby became a career,” he says. He estimates that over the years, he has booked nearly 4,000 shows.
“It’s the only thing I know how to do,” he says with a laugh.
1. Nirvana, “Nevermind” (1991) – Today, it’s different. As a 12-year-old in 1991, there was radio, tape, you’d (go to) record stores and take a chance. MTV had “Beavis and Butthead,” “Headbangers Ball.” “Nevermind” was pivotal. It connected with me. I never dressed grunge, I wasn’t that kid. But the sound … charged my soul. The “Lithium” video – my buddy had a step down into his living room. We’d stack blankets and pillows, then dive into them (like a mosh pit). We didn’t know what the hell we were doing (laughs). It’s a very formative memory.
Listen: “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
2. Alice In Chains, “Alice In Chains” (1995) – It’s in the same lane. Today, I have a tape collection, (around) 500 cassettes, of all the music I grew up with: grunge, punk like Blink 182 and Green Day, hip hop. At a record store, Alice In Chains was on their tape wall. It’s the one with a dog with a missing leg (on the cover), but the tape had a neon yellow case. I’m staring at it now on my wall. I used to mow my neighbor’s grass and listen on my Walkman. I rotated this and Stone Temple Pilots while I pushed the mower up and down.
Listen: “Heaven Beside You”
3. The Beths, “Future Me Hates Me” (2018) – They’re a little more current. They’re up there with my favorite bands of the last 10 years. It’s like old Weezer with a female vocalist with a New Zealand accent. It’s kind of a “Happy Days” vibe, (like) Buddy Holly, crunchy 3½- to 4-minute alt pop songs. I’m a details guy and (enjoy) the harmonies and precision. I don’t have many women (singers) on this wall. That’s changing. There are more women, not only singing, but also playing. This record was the start of new woman-fronted rock bands. It’s a sweet, sweet sound of perfectly written pop rock.
Listen: “Future Me Hates Me”
Currently Loving: Joy Oladokun, “In Defense Of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings)” (2020) – I discovered her in the last couple years. She’s released four albums in the last five years. It’s soulful like Tracy Chapman. She’s wonderfully talented. She’s in Nashville. I’m blown away. This is the OG one, and indie EP. When she signed (with a label) she re-released a new one with the same name. This one is less produced. I like the rawness of it.
Listen: “Sunday”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Nate Dorough’s Playlist on Spotify
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
