Saturday’s inaugural benefit at Wealthy Theatre for the nonprofit Michigan Music Alliance boasts intra-state stars Frontier Ruckus, American Hotel System, Ari B and Cabildo. The lowdown at Local Spins.
Grateful to be Part of a Meaningful Night: The American Hotel System will kick off Saturday’s benefit. (Photo/Paul Jendrasiak)
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Jacob Betts from Grand Rapids alt-rock band The American Hotel System described the upcoming “Sounds Like Michigan” benefit at Wealthy Theatre in a nutshell — perfectly encapsulating what event host Michigan Music Alliance is all about as a nonprofit aid to Michigan musicians.
“As musicians who believe in the power of community, we’re deeply grateful to be part of this meaningful night with the Michigan Music Alliance,” Betts said of Saturday’s inaugural fundraising concert for MMA.
“Their dedication to nurturing and connecting artists across our state resonates deeply with our own mission of creating genuine connections through music. This event represents everything we love about Michigan’s music scene – the spirit of collaboration, support and authentic artistic expression. We can’t wait to join hands with fellow musicians and music lovers to celebrate and strengthen our vibrant musical community.”
The American Hotel System will join East Side artists Frontier Ruckus (folk-rock/alt-country) and Ari B (R&B/soul) as well as Grand Rapids’ Cabildo (Latin rock/cumbia) at the benefit show that begins at 7 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 23) at Wealthy Theatre. Tickets, $35, are available online here, with $100 VIP options also available (premium seating, merch, private performance by Frontier Ruckus).
Sponsored by Our Family and Founders Brewing Co., the MMA showcase will also feature limited-edition merchandise, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, artist meet-and-greets, networking and more.
Beyond paying performers, proceeds from the event will support educational programming developed by MMA, which is dedicated to bolstering Michigan’s music scene by providing professional development tools, networking opportunities and more to the state’s working musicians.
Saturday’s benefit also will unveil the MMA’s programming for 2025, with ticket sales supporting the MMA’s mission to “further develop and enhance the Michigan music community you know and love,” said Nicholas James Thomasma, MMA’s interim executive director and frontman for “hippie tonk” band Nicholas James & The Bandwagon.
WIDE-RANGING LINEUP SPOTLIGHTING PERFORMERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE
“It’s an eclectic bill with a mix of well-known and up-and-coming artists from both Detroit and Grand Rapids, bridging the gap between the two communities and showcasing the collaborative spirit and incredible diversity in the Michigan music scene,” Thomasma said.
Betts amplified that sentiment. “One of the most beautiful aspects of Michigan’s music scene is how it embraces diverse voices and stories, each contributing their unique colors to our state’s musical canvas,” he said.
Performing Saturday: Cabildo (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
“Frontier Ruckus brings their soul-stirring blend of folk rock and bluegrass, while Cabildo enriches our community with their powerful fusion of Latin and South American rock traditions. These artists embody what makes Michigan music so special – authentic expression that bridges different cultures and experiences.”
The MMA is partnering with Local Spins, WYCE (88.1 FM) and Triumph Music Academy in hosting the event, which will feature an impressive silent auction that boasts tickets to concerts at The Pyramid Scheme and The Intersection, local CDs, LPs and 2025 calendar as part of Local Spins/MMA gift packs, Triumph Music Academy lessons, a lathe-cut vinyl package from Great Lakes Records, a mastering session at Kalamazoo’s La Luna Recording & Sound and more.
Emceed by Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics, the benefit will also include a merch table for Saturday’s performers.
The American Hotel System will kick off the event at 7 p.m., followed Ari B, Cabildo and Frontier Ruckus.
“We’re humbled to share the stage with such incredible acts who, like us, believe in the power of music to bring people together and create meaningful connections,” Betts said.
VIDEO: Frontier Ruckus
VIDEO: Cabildo
VIDEO: Ari B
VIDEO: The American Hotel System
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