The Jammies on Friday: The lineup, the lowdown, the loving vibe at West Michigan music’s biggest night

The 14th annual Jammie Awards show hosted by WYCE-FM moves to a new night at The Intersection this year, and musicians say the celebratory spirit in spotlighting the region’s musical talent remains stronger than ever.

 

Grand Rapids’ annual Jammie Awards show is about recognition, encouragement, support, showcasing talent, building community, expressing appreciation and capitalizing on an unparalleled opportunity to grow as a musician and grow an audience.

Ask any musician (and I asked a bunch), and he or she will list one or more of these as hallmark qualities of this yearly, must-attend gathering of West Michigan’s music makers and embracers.

Oh, and as Molly Bouwsma Schultz of Blue Molly puts it: “This is a great way to start off a winter weekend in Michigan.”

And in your pajamas to boot, if you so choose.

That weekend kickoff vibe distinguishes the 14th Jammies event hosted by community radio station WYCE-FM (88.1) from the previous 13: It’s being held for the first time on a Friday rather than a Tuesday, which could extend the party – and the crowd – deeper into the night. It also ties the Bell’s Brewery sponsorship of the event to the Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday.

While some folks rue the move from Tuesday, Jacob Bullard of folk-rock’s Antrim Dells notes that Friday is “the everlasting symbol of zany freedom and celebration. It is time for Jammie festivities to be a part of it.”

With 24 bands playing mini-sets on two stages and nearly 20 awards doled out in a host of categories, the Jammies certainly are a boisterous celebration of musical camaraderie, with musicians and their fans cheering on other musicians. Perhaps most stunningly of all, more than 130 local and regional recordings are up for album of the year, aka the Big Jammie. That alone is a dramatic example of the burgeoning talent that threatens to turn West Michigan into the new Seattle or Austin someday.

(By the way, that number doesn’t even count Simien the Whale’s fine “Simien the Whale” album, which was my Local Spin of the Year Award winner. The album released in late November missed the cutoff for voting consideration by the 70-plus volunteer programmers at WYCE.)

For WYCE music director Pete Bruinsma, the most exciting thing is “being able to showcase musical discoveries we’ve been seeking out, compiling and putting on the air for the past year. Every time a new regional release comes in the mail, I get excited, I treasure it, and most importantly, I discover it. The Jammies event is a great opportunity to share slices of what we get to do all year long, to a big group of people.”

And with a staff that’s been assembling the enormous, intricately scheduled event for several years – Bruinsma, station manager Kevin Murphy, program director Matt Jarrells, community relations coordinator Nicole LaRae – along with help from Rainbow Music, key volunteers and The Intersection, this manic musical showcase operates remarkably smoothly.

“The big challenge at this year’s Jammies will be keeping away from the Bell’s (Brewery) table,” quips Bruinsma. “Seven hours in the same room with several Bell’s specialty taps is going to require an unprecedented amount of self-control.”

Good point. That sponsorship plug aside, here’s what a few of those who’ll perform on Friday have to say about the Jammies.

Fred Willson, An Dro: “The best thing is … the sense of community. Every year, it’s an opportunity to connect with people who unabashedly love music of all kinds. As a performer, it’s sometimes hard to get around and see other bands and performers. The Jammies is a great way to see and hear old friends and to meet people outside our musical circle.”

Graham Parsons, The Go Rounds: “The Jammies do a great job of shining a light, at least for a night, on the Michigan music scene and also on artists who deserve more recognition for their work.”

Molly Bouwsma Schultz, Blue Molly: “The Jammies affirms the idea that music does, in fact, bring people together. It’s a time to make connections with a larger, more diverse audience that really listens. Being asked to play at the Jammies is extremely exciting and encouraging. … We are grateful to be performing among such a talented spectrum of musicians. It is a stepping stone.”

Jacob Bullard, Antrim Dells: “The Jammies is a really nice way to bring recognition and encouragement to local artists as well as get all the local artists in one place and share their music. We appreciate being a part of it for these reasons, especially because we are a relatively young group.”

Young and old, veteran Jammies performers and first-time players, Americana, folk, rock, dance, jazz and blues acts, tributes to Jimmie Stagger and the late Frank Salamone, beer – a winning combination.

Visitors to the free-admission Jammies are encouraged to make donations to Access of West Michigan’s food pantry system and anti-poverty programs. Access folks will be there to accept cash or non-perishable food items, gently used clothing, blankets and baby diapers. Make a contribution or wear pajamas to the event, and as is tradition, WYCE will give you a free CD.

Doors at The Intersection, 133 Grandville Ave. SW, open at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com
Copyright 2013, Spins on Music,