To celebrate Thanksgiving, Local Spins has combined its usual Thursday ‘Amplified’ newsletter (music news, ticket giveaways) with a special soundtrack tribute to the NFL-leading Detroit Lions.
Happy Thanksgiving: Local Spins has a special ‘Amplified’ Lions treat for readers today.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s special Thanksgiving post serves as an introduction to the weekly “Amplified” newsletter for those readers who haven’t yet subscribed to our Thursday updates on regional and national music news, Michigan concert announcements, our song and question of the week, ticket giveaways and more. Scroll down to read some of these features and subscribe online here: https://localspins.com/subscribe-local-spins-mailing-list/.
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Ah, Thanksgiving.
When feasting with family has too often come with indigestion as NFL opponents feasted on the Detroit Lions, who’ve racked up a measly 37-45-2 record since launching this Thanksgiving Day tradition in 1934.
But this is definitely NOT the same old Lions. This is a team that not only made it to the NFC Championship game last year, but is currently a first-place team tied for the NFL’s best record two-thirds of the way into the season.
The team is 10-1 for the first time since 1934, leads the league in average points scored per game, has won nine straight, and rushed for a touchdown in 25 consecutive games — the longest streak in NFL history.
It’s all about grit, heart, talent and innovation — not something that’s been associated with this franchise for a very long time.
In gratitude for their inspiring play, and because they’ve finally given us a reason to wear silver and Honolulu blue with real pride — one pride — we present a Thanksgiving playlist for the ages.
No more turkeys, no more getting the stuffing beaten out of us. It’s all gravy from here on out.
From Kid Cudi running “with a heart of a lion” to Joel Corry and Tom Grennan’s acting “fearless like a lionheart” to Porter Robinson promising “we’ll finish what we started” to Skip Marley’s reggae pronouncement: “We are the lions, we are the chosen, we gonna shine out the dark.”
Oh, and The Tokens’ “The Lions Sleeps Tonight” doesn’t apply because these cats aren’t sleeping and there’s plenty for opponents to fear.
THE LOCAL SPINS LION-HEARTED PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Evidence Jazz at SpeakEZ Lounge by Chelsea Whitaker. (The band of the month in the November 2024 Local Spins Calendar)
MUSIC NEWS: The Accidentals Star During CMA Awards; Billy Strings’ Donation for GR Housing; Sonic Coast Celebrates Small Business Saturday With All Local Music
THE ACCIDENTALS: Traverse City’s favorite alt-folk heroes The Accidentals have made yet another national splash with a boost from country star Lainey Wilson. Sav Madigan (Buist), Katie Larson and Katelynn Corll all performed with Wilson during the nationally broadcast 58th annual Country Music Association Awards show last week. The band also was “immeasurably honored and excited” that this performance is now available on all streaming platforms. Check it out on Spotify here. “We are grateful beyond words to have had this opportunity with some of our favorite people in the world,” the band wrote on Facebook.
BILLY STRINGS: The iconic bluegrass guitarist from Muir, Mich., who’s become an international star has made “a sizable donation that will help fund the construction of eight new low-inconme housing units” in Grand Rapids for those facing chronic homelessness, mental or physical disabilities, or who lack access to housing through traditional markets. More here. Billy Strings also was featured recently in a GQ magazine profile.
SONIC COAST: Sonic Coast, an online radio station touted as “a melting pot of music for Michiganders” will play all local bands all day on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30) while encouraging listeners to support small businesses and the hundreds of local bands and artists across the state. Sonic Coasts expects to air more than 300 songs by Michigan artists from midnight to midnight Saturday. Sonic Coast founder Brian Maloney said he hopes “listeners will buy band merch, purchase tickets and experiences from local bands.” Listen online here.
MICHIGAN CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Amy Petty presents “Sounds of the Season” at Skyline Event Center in Comins, Mich., on Dec. 7; Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts play The Acorn in Three Oaks on New Years Eve; Michigan’s Steppin’ In It is mounting a Michigan tour in January with stops on Jan. 8-9 at Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, Jan. 10 at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, Jan. 11 at Cadillac Elks Lodge for the Gopherwood Concerts series, and Jan. 12 at The Ark in Ann Arbor; Rod Wave, Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior and Eelmatic will play Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 1; Djangophonique will play the Cadillac Elks Lodge for Gopherwood Concerts on Feb. 8 (followed by a Made in Michigan FUNdraiser on March 8 and The Go Rounds on April 12); Guiding Light will present “A Concert to Fight Addiction and Transform Lives” on Feb. 15 at Grand Rapids’ St. Cecilia Music Center with Michigan songwriters in the round and The Rebel Eves; Michigan Rattlers will play The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on March 28, followed by a show at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor on March 29; Martin Sexton brings his “Abbey Road Show” to Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre on April 23; Memphis May Fire will play The Intersection’s Elevation in Grand Rapids on May 6; Napalm Death and The Melvins will make a tour stop at The Intersection in Grand Rapids on May 13.
View weekend shows and other upcoming concerts in the LOCAL SPINS CONCERT CALENDAR.
THIS WEEK’S CONCERT TICKET GIVEAWAYS
TICKET GIVEAWAY No. 1: Email info@localspins.com with “MICHIGANDER” in the message field, include your name and you’ll be placed in a drawing to win two tickets to See Michigander at Elevation inside Grand Rapids’ Intersection on Dec. 7.
TICKET GIVEAWAY No. 2: Email info@localspins.com with “MCKINLEY JAMES” in the message field, include your name and you’ll be place in a drawing to win two tickets to see McKinley James and The Venturis at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids on Dec. 5.
TICKET GIVEAWAY No. 3: Email info@localspins.com with “TRAMPLED BY TURTLES” in the message field, include your name and you’ll be place in a drawing to win two tickets to see Trampled by Turtles at The Intersection in Grand Rapids on Dec. 13.
Song of the Week: “One Trick Pony” by Ally Evenson
Detroit indie-rocker Ally Evenson released her new Assemble Sound album, “Blue Super Love” last week. This is the single and music video from that album. Read more about Evenson in this Local Spins interview.
VIDEO: Ally Evenson, “One Trick Pony”
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Who’s the greatest country artist of all-time?
(Billboard recently posted its roster of the “100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time” and you can view that list online here.)
Email your response to info@localspins.com and your name will be placed in a drawing for concert tickets or a Local Spins gift pack.
What’s Hot at Local Spins: Our review of the Creed, 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH concert at Van Andel Arena led the way as our No. 1 most-read story of the past week, followed by our feature on Spring Lake’s Temple Lounge resuming concerts at the former site of Seven Steps Up. As for hot radio, look no further on the dial than Local Spins on WYCE this Friday for a special Thanksgiving edition of the show that features the debut of new tracks by a host of Michigan artists. Tune in at 11 a.m. Friday or 5 p.m. Sunday at WYCE 88.1 FM or online at wyce.org.
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