The popular series highlighting recordings that have influenced artists and those in the music business continues with the Ann Arbor marketing director for The Ark. View her picks; listen to the music.
Toad the Wet Sprocket: Making the list and headlining last January’s Ann Arbor Folk Festival. (Photo/Andrew Rogers)
EDITOR’S NOTE: All of those working in the music industry can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases music that changed the world for The Ark’s marketing director, Barb Chaffer Authier, who draws attention to shows at the legendary music venue and its annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of her picks, including a current favorite.
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As the marketing director for The Ark in Ann Arbor, Barb Chaffer-Authier is exposed to a variety of music.
Though much of it can be placed in the folk category, the 400-seat venue regularly hosts artists ranging from solo singer-songwriters to high-energy full bands, though they’re likely to be acoustic-based.
Barb Chaffer-Authier (Courtesy Photo)
“I came to The Ark through a back channel. My educational background was not marketing or music, but I grew up in a musical family,” says Chaffer-Authier. “My parents played in a community band. There was a lot of classical music, The Beatles, my mom had an extensive collection of Elvis 45s.”
As a student at the University of Michigan, she worked in student offices and continued to do so in a career in academic settings, which looped her back to U of M in 1999. That’s when she began volunteering at the Ark.
“I saw lots of shows I wouldn’t have otherwise,” she says, and when the marketing position there opened, she applied. Now, she’s officially for The Ark almost 20 years. “I’ve met hundreds of volunteers, my kids came to my office when they were little. It’s been a big part of my family.”
1. Indigo Girls, “Indigo Girls” (1989) – College was pivotal for me. Hearing that really was a huge shift in what I knew was out there. It wasn’t Motown or The Beatles, it was raw, real messages. The style, harmony, lyrics – Tracy Chapman is in the same category. It felt so real and heartfelt. There was a lot of activism on campus, anti-apartheid protests. The music had a message. Now I see it in older folk music.
Listen: “Closer to Fine”
2. Toad the Wet Sprocket, “Dulcinea” (1994) – That’s another big shift. It was after grad school. I bought a CD player; I was a late adopter. I’d listen to it on repeat. Now you listen to a song here and there, have a playlist. Then it was much more common to listen to an album from start to finish. I never wanted to skip a track. Toad the Wet Sprocket is still one of my favorites to see live. We get to present them from time to time, and also the leader’s solo shows. It’s smart songwriting and fun at the same time.
Listen: “Fly From Heaven”
3. Patty Griffin, “1000 Kisses” (2002) – Now it starts to get really different. I was working at The Ark the first time I saw her perform live. The depth of her lyrics, her guitar playing was phenomenal. I was not familiar with her before seeing her. It was one of the first shows I volunteered at. I’ve been a lifelong fan ever since.
Listen: “Rain”
Currently Loving: Waxahatchee, “Tigers Blood” (2024) and The Accidentals, “Cover Art” (2024) – They’re both in heavy rotation. I’ve seen her (Waxahatchee) a couple times. Her singing is so strong. I love the whole Accidentals’ catalog. I like “Odyssey” a lot, too. It’s a band I’ve been watching since they were brand new. They’ve become good friends.
Listen: “Tigers Blood” (Waxahatchee)
Listen: Green & Gold (The Accidentals)
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Barb Chaffer-Authier’s Playlist on Spotify
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