With the much-anticipated announcement of the Meijer Gardens summer concert series just a week away, communications director John VanderHaagen reveals recordings that have influenced him.
A Lifelong Love Affair with Music: John VanderHaagen brings that passion to Meijer Gardens.
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians, producers, promoters and music industry mainstays can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases music that changed the world for Meijer Gardens’ communications director John VanderHaagen, who oversees the popular amphitheater series that draws sell-out crowds every summer. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of his picks.
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The director of communications for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, John VanderHaagen, has had a lifetime love affair with music.
That might not have benefited him when he worked for the Grand Rapids Griffins or Grand Rapid Rampage (the defunct Arena Football League team), but it certainly helped in his other roles, including his current gig.
“I loved art and music. I did some concert work in Wichita, Kansas. Now I get to talk about horticulture and sculpture, and bring beauty and amazing music (here),” he says. “A major part of my job is to bring in and promote live music.”
John VanderHaagen
VanderHaagen works with Utah booking and promotions agent Chris Mautz to select summer shows for the 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater — with the much-anticipated formal announcement of the full, 33-concert 2024 series coming on April 11. Mautz is “tuned into who’s touring at our level of capacity,” VanderHaagen insists.
The music encompasses all genres, and runs June through September. It has hosted artists including Santana, Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Toto, Trombone Shorty and many more.
VanderHaagen says he tries to book a variety of artists, the proverbial something for everyone. “Who’s new, who’s up and coming, who people want to see, who’s looking for dates in the Midwest. It’s a diverse lineup, a mix of returning favorites and audience requests.”
VanderHaagen also proudly points to the Tuesday Evening Music Club, which focuses on local and regional artists every summer, as a continuing success. “The series has really grown.”
As for his album picks for Local Spins: “The through line (from all this music to his job) is the exposure by my parents grew my love of music, especially live music. I’ve been fortunate to bring that to my career. It’s not about my favorite bands.”
1. U2, “The Joshua Tree” (1987) – I was in junior high. It’s one of the first albums I owned, received for a penny in the old Columbia House/BMG “12 CDs for a Penny!” promotions. A classic from start to finish and the album that introduced me to one of my favorite bands. I had family in California, so I was kind of familiar with Joshua National Park, but the music really took me there. It transports me to a time in my life and to a place. U2 became a band I’ll see live – a wonderful show, great production. I’ve seen the group several times, including at The Sphere for “Achtung Baby.”
Listen: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
2. Paul Simon, “Graceland” (1986) – Growing up, my parents had lots of cool records. Their love of Simon & Garfunkel introduced Paul Simon’s solo records to me, and one of the first albums that I remember listening to over and over was “Graceland.” I was drawn to all of the different sounds on this album, which features music from around the world and led me to groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo. “The Rhythm of the Saints” was similar, but “Graceland” is my favorite. It’s a totally different type of music compared to the singer-songwriter music of Simon & Garfunkel.
Listen: “You Can Call Me Al”
3. Goose, “The Chateau Sessions Pt. 1” (2024) – Goose is a jam band like the Grateful Dead or Phish. It has a new drummer (Cotter Ellis replaced original drummer Ben Atkind in February). It (the recording) puts a fun new twist on the songs I’m familiar with. There are old favorites and new tracks.
Listen: “Chateau Sessions Pt. 1”
Currently Loving: The War on Drugs, “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” (2021) – Another album that is great from start to finish with no skippable tracks, this is one of my most-listened-to albums of the last few years on Spotify. It’s a band I fell instantly in love with through “Red Eyes” (from its album “Lost in the Dream”). It’s a great live band. Honorable mention to “Live Drugs,” its live album from 2020 that got a lot of play during the COVID live music drought. I’ve got it on repeat on Spotify. I’m looking forward to new music from the band.
Listen: “I Don’t Live Here Anymore”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: John VanderHaagen’s Playlist on Spotify
Copyright 2024, Spins on Music LLC
