I studied guitar in New York City and have entertained for many years in restaurants, coffee houses and major venues that include Carnegie Hall and Wolf Trap Park (Washington, D.C.) I toured and recorded as guitarist and vocalist with the international cast of Up With People, performing throughout the USA, Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

I specialize in acoustic/vocal covers of singer-songwriters from the 1950s to present day. This includes solo and full band arrangements of material from John Mayer, the Beatles, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, and many others.

Creativity has been a part of my life since I can remember. I have been an educator, a potter and a painter. Since 2004, I’ve painted with words and sounds. In 2005, I released my first CD, “AKA.” In 2008, the award winning, “Heart Worn Sleeve” and in 2012, “Tightrope Walkers.” My songs have been played in just about every country in the world. What fascinates me more than anything I suppose is what it means to be human and my songwriting tends to reflect that. I have played in large auditoriums, colleges and small coffee houses.

Glenn has racked up a lot of frequent flier miles between that first stage appearance and his unique addiction to Jane songs and a fully realized band vibe on A Brand New Earth. Fashioning a true troubadour lifestyle, he has performed over the years everywhere from California to South Carolina and everywhere in between. Critics and tastemakers have remarked that he “writes melodic, soothing odes that crawl inside the recesses of your subconscious and root there for days at a time,” and have compared him to “a fiery version of Van Morrison” with a “Morrissey and Stipe vibe.”

“Russ Glenn’s A Brand New Earth is a treat on any day.”
Chip Withrow, www.musesmuse.com

“Russ Glenn’s simplistic artistry cuts through the over-dubbed,electronically layered world of pop music. His rich insights into life on songs like Flagstaff and Truth & Consequences make his messages live in the universal flow of human experience…a perfect fit for those who appreciate what can and does happen at an intimate live performance by an approachable, personable artist.”
Mike Pionkowski, Independent Music Critic, Topeka, KS

See a performance and hear more about Russ by visiting:
www.russglenn.com

Bill Bynum

Although a Detroit native, Bill Bynum’s musical roots are deep in the South. His parents migrated from the West Memphis, Arkansas area to Michigan’s steel industry in the 1940’s, bringing, like many, their love for bluegrass and country music. Bill and his four siblings grew up listening to artists like Johnny Cash and Buck Owens on Detroit’s country radio station, “The Big D”, through an old AM radio. It was Detroit Rock that drove Bill’s early musical career. But in 1999, Bill heard “Yours Forever Blue” by Steve Earle and The Del McCoury on PublicRadio. At that moment a passion developed as he found himself with a “non-stop desire to hear and play those songs”. From that moment on, Bill started writing and playing live whenever and wherever he could.

With songs both traditional and original, and a sound that’s at once as comfortable as your favorite pair of old jeans and as fresh as a blade of new grass, Bill Bynum & Co. is a band that’s easy to love and hard to quit! Bill has written a number of songs which deliver a story with strong emotional content and has collaborated with bluegrass industry legend, Pete Goble. Pete Goble is an IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Lifetime Achievement Award Winner who has written songs recorded by Alison Kraus, Hot Rize, Blue Highway and Mountain Heart among many others. Bill was 1st Place Winner in the 2004 Metro Detroit Songwriting Showcase with his song “Lovin’ You”, along with the 2006 Open Mic Artist of the year at “The Ark” in Ann Arbor. Bill lives for the joy of entertaining his audience — a true showman!

Black Hills Gold Leafed Beans

I am pleased to announce that in an effort to stay true to the quality standards that the Jackson Coffee Co has come to be known for, and to exhibit a little bit of truth in advertising, we have slightly modified our Black Hills Gold blend.  Starting the 15th of this month, we will be bringing the black hills of South Dakota to your kitchen with the addition of a small number of gold-leafed coffee beans included in each bag of our Black Hills Gold.

After much deliberation and cost analysis, we have found that we can include these gold coffee beans at only a marginal price increase on a bag of this award winning blend.  You will likely only see a customer-side increase of around .50 cents!

Black Hills gold jewelry depicts leaves, grape clusters and vines, and is made with alloys of gold with standard yellow gold as well as green and pink gold.^[1][2] In 1980, the 8th Circuit affirmed an injunction ruling that if a manufacturer was to call its jewelry Black Hills Gold, then it must be made in the Black Hills.^[3] The state of South Dakota designated Black Hills gold as the official state jewelry in 1988.^[4][5]

Our Black Hills Gold blend will feature mainly yellow gold leafed coffee in an effort to keep costs low.

We have researched the effect of gold leaf on the human body, and found no reports of ill effects, in fact, several alcohol manufacturers already use gold leaf in their products ie: Gold Rush, and Goldschlager.

Join us in store on April 15th for the release of the NEW IMPROVED BLACK HILLS GOLD BLEND!

Cheers!

HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S DAY!

With subject matters ranging from carpet stains and the demolition of Barbies to life with his schizophrenic brother, solo acoustic performer Dan Hazlett’s (pronounced HAZE-LETT) songs roam from the outlandish to the sublime. His rich, warm voice and skillful acoustic guitar work make his performances touching, humorous and uplifting. Blending a folky, jazzy style with carefully crafted and thoughtful songwriting, Dan has often been compared to artists like James Taylor and David Wilcox.

During a career spanning more than thirty years, Dan has been actively touring the Midwest. His CD, “Family Album” has received strong airplay throughout the U.S., Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland and Canada. Dan has been nominated for several Detroit Music Awards. He was named a finalist in both The KRCL Performing Songwriter Showcase in Park City Utah and the Big Top Chatauqua Songwriting Contest and was awarded 2nd place, 3rd place and an honorable mention in the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest and an honorable mention in The Billboard Songwriting Competition. He has been a guest on nationally syndicated radio shows Albom In The Afternoon (Mitch Albom) and River City Folk (Tom May) and one of Dan’s songs was featured on the nationally syndicated radio program “Car Talk. Dan has opened for many established performers like Valdy, David Roth, Cliff Eberhardt and Jack Williams and for seven years hosted his own folk radio show “Local Folks” on WXOU-FM at Oakland University.

A prolific songwriter, Dan Hazlett has recently released his seventh full length CD, “Just a Guitar” while doubling as a producer and session musician for many local artists.

While watching the performance of a guitar player on the Merv Griffin show, I was enthralled at the sounds coming from the sunburst, archtopped, “F” holed guitar of the entertainer. Not just the notes, but the rythmic thumb thumps and accents that he used to drive the music forward. I knew that I had to play guitar.

Over the next few months I saved my money (a very limited commodity in those days) and purchased a “Holiday/Harmony” Arch top guitar from the Sears catalog. Upon its arrival imagine my diappointment when it just didn’t “thump” like that other guy’s guitar did!

Not to be discouraged I pestered my mother for guitar lessons. On a weekly basis she took $5.00 for an hour guitar lesson from her limited funds and drove me an hour one way to take lessons. Today she remains my biggest fan (aren’t Moms great?), even though my guitar thumping hasn’t improved one little bit.

I’ve been around the block a few times. I began playing in bars right out of High School in 1973. In 1975 I finshed 2nd to Jim Perkins (a local Detroit favorite) in a single entertainer competition. Jim won a guitar…I won …well 2nd! Although my ego at the time struggled with it, Jim should have won. He was better than I was. Congratulations Jim (ok….so I’m a little late with it). I’ve spent time with my music in front of audiences in the Detroit metropolitan area as well as Missouri, Kansas and California.

In 1976 I passed on an opportunity to join “The New Christy Minstrels”. It seemed like a rational decision at the time to pursue a real job that would have some long term benefits (like a retirement). I don’t regret the decision one bit. I’m back now doing what I love full time. I’m making music.

I’ve been fortunate in my life. Read what some nice comments from various folks have been………..

“Bob’s voice continues to resonate with a mesmerizing quality and his guitar work is sublime.” Grasslake Folk Festival

“…Bob Marshall, whose rich baritone voice and sensitive interpertations are sure to move you.” SLUM City Coffeehouse

“The words that Bob sings are from the heart and the guitar playing is honest enough to lay bare the soul.” Live From the Livingroom

“Bob Marshall’s rich baritone voice and sublime guitar work will make your day. This cowboy, singer/songwriter will make you laugh and warm your heart…. visit with Bob and listen to his great originals, paradies and covers…he does it all!” Ellen Doster, Motor City Sidestrokers