Following an appearance Friday for ‘EightWest,’ the West Michigan Americana/heartland rocker brings his band to Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge on April 10. Plus, view Local Spins’ Top 10 Concerts for April.
New Singles on the Way: Myron Elkins performing Friday in the WOOD TV8 studio. (Photo/Local Spins)
SCROLL DOWN FOR LOCAL SPINS’ APRIL SHOW ROUNDUP FOR EIGHTWEST
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As guitarist and singer Myron Elkins puts it, he became a fan of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, Merle Haggard and George Jones early on and “just never let it go.”
Now, after making a splash on Michigan’s music scene, being named Local Spins’ 2023 Emerging Artist of the Year, landing on an Elektra Records imprint label for his debut album, spending a few years in Nashville, touring the globe and returning to Michigan to record and independently release, “Nostalgia for Sale,” last year, Elkins has entered another phase in his career.
A bit wiser about the fickle music business, a bit more grounded back home in Otsego where he grew up, and a bit more comfortable in his own musical skin, the Americana-driven heartland rocker plans to release a series of singles over the next several months followed by an album in the fall — all recorded at the Kalamazoo studio of his longtime drummer, Ricky LaDuke.
On Friday morning, he performed one of those new songs, “Jesus Is Coming,” for his television debut on WOOD TV8’s EightWest — a tune inspired by billboards along the highway. Watch part of that performance in a video below.
TV Debut: EightWest host Tom Hillen interviewing Elkins. (Photo/Local Spins)
Next week, on April 10, Elkins and his band will make their SpeakEZ Lounge debut as part of Local Spins’ Live Music Fridays concert series. Music starts at 7:30 p.m., with details here.
“We kind of missed coming up here and being able to play (in Michigan),” Elkins said of the upcoming SpeakEZ show. “It’s going to be a great time. We’re excited to be back.”
With a sound reminiscent of John Fogerty, Bob Seger and John Mellencamp mixed with a heavy dose of country and soul, Elkins melds “a little bit of everything” into his music. “Everything just kind of comes together and really meets that crossroads there,” he said.
As for some highlights in his career thus far? Meeting R&B singer Mavis Staples and country legend Willie Nelson, helping inspire him on his journey.
“I’m a huge music fan and just getting to meet those people always kind of solidifies or, I guess, kind of gives me a reason to do it.”
Friday’s EightWest show also featured Local Spins publisher John Sinkevics’ April round-up of must-see shows in the Grand Rapids area, including Elkins’ April 10 appearance at SpeakEZ Lounge. Check out the Local Spins Top 10 April shows — from Jim Lauderdale at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill to Joan Osborne at St. Cecilia Music Center — in the roundup video below.
VIDEO: Myron Elkins, “Jesus is Coming”
VIDEO: Local Spins’ April Concert Roundup for EightWest
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