Jackson Coffee Company

We are the Ink Monkey

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 03:00:12 +0000

What happens when a seasoned, native California musician moves to the Midwest and
digs in his heels? Magic. John Voelz has been a singer-songwriter for the past 20+
years performing and recording throughout the U.S. and Europe. But for the past 8
years Voelz has put down roots in the community of Jackson-lending hometown
credibility and earning him a voice as a bona fide local artist without losing his
world-class appeal. Voelz is very much an artist one would classify as a renaissance
man-visual artist, painter, poet and musician with a well rounded style of his own
ranging from heartfelt acoustic ballads to hook-filled pop rock/Americana/Country
and blues. Voelz met up with local musician Mark Cox a few short years ago and
started playing coffee shops and pubs “just for fun.” Soon, the duo was being asked
to play multiple venues a month. Voelz was saddened that venues were billing the duo
as “John Voelz and Friends” or simply “John Voelz” because Mark is such an important
part of the magic that happens on stage. The banter, the teasing, and the inside
jokes they shared on stage quickly made audiences feel like they were part of
something special and like they were at an intimate concert in the duo’s living
room. Voelz named the duo “We Are The Ink Monkey” after a mythical creature that
drinks the ink from a writer’s desk in hopes of taking on the power of the writer.
Their first official gig under that name was in 2011 at Jackson Coffee Co.
At the end of 2011, Voelz and Cox invited their friend Stacey Jones to join
WATIM. Stacey is a professional percussionist and professor of percussion at the
college level. Stacey has added not only a creative element to WATIM but has
garnered the female vote as every percussion instrument she plays seems to scream
out “girl power” to every adoring female fan (uh, and a few males as well).
Fans describe the trio as energetic, fun, silly, respectfully irreverent,
engaging, and addicting. WATIM has an Americana/Blues/Country/singer-songwriter
vibe that is much like if Johnny Cash had kids with the Muppets. WATIM has over
40 gigs booked so far in 2012 and can regularly be seen in coffee shops,
wineries, pubs, churches, theaters, and stages around Jackson.

Alejandra O’Leary

robert — Sat, 05 May 2012 03:00:25 +0000

“The very first time I heard Alejandra sing, I fell in love with her voice. And let me tell you, Alejandra can write a song. The fact that “Ever After,” isn’t already dominating the radio is a crime against musical common sense. “Love I Been In,” is a gorgeous, multi-melodic piece of pure pop perfection. “Tremor,” may be my favorite song on the album, employing keyboards along with the bass to bring in a delicious, ambient, downtempo vibe while still maintaining all her pop smarts. I’ve fallen in love and I’ve fallen hard. Truly head and shoulders above the pack.

- The Ripple Effect

Sam Corbin

robert — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 03:00:52 +0000

With heart, soul, and determination, Sam Corbin has traveled and performed for the last decade, with no signs of slowing down. Touring around the USA and just about everywhere within his home state of Michigan, he plays music with hints of Americana, Blues, and Folk. His songwriting is strong and honest drawing inspiration from personal experiences of love, loss, traveling, and Michigan, from its beautiful countryside to it’s struggling economy.
In the summer of 2009 Sam released his second album “Michigan’s Waltz”. With 8 original songs and a cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, this album features some of Michigan’s finest musicians including Jen Sygit, Drew Howard, Billy Harrington, Mike Lynch, and more!
Although Sam has played in several configurations over the years, he is usually found sharing the stage with Jen Sygit, an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter from Lansing, MI. With rich harmonies and tasteful arrangements, they’re a strong combo that is quickly becoming a favorite in the Michigan music scene.

Dan Hazlett

admin — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 03:00:26 +0000

Dan Hazlett

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.

The Potter’s Field

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 02:00:48 +0000

Rochelle Clark from Chelsea, Michigan and John Natiw from Canton, Michigan are The Potter’s Field, a Midwest based Folk/Americana/Roots duo. Known for poetic, gritty lyrics, driving instrumental style (including acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica, typical and non-typical percussion elements and the occasional kazoo), close and powerful vocal harmonies and easy stage presence, The Potter’s Field surprises with new songs and ideas that sound familiar yet nostalgic.

The Potter’s Field’s original compositions cover a variety of topics and styles while holding fast to their Midwest roots. The duo’s cover song choices display a wide variety of tastes and influences such as Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, Johnny and June, The Black Crowes, Brandi Carlile, Over the Rhine and more. Audiences leave shows entertained and uplifted, thoughtful and hopeful.

Kevin Nichols/Blue Tuesday

robert — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 03:30:09 +0000

If you’re looking for good time party music that you’ll feel from the top of your head to the tips of your toes, look no further than this always exciting, rockin’ blues band — Kev Nichols & Blue Tuesday!

Born out of some casual Tuesday night jam sessions in the basement studio of singer/songwriter Kev Nichols, this band of seasoned musical veterans is ready to give your ears a heaping helping of bluesy goodness! Your feet will tap, your hands will clap, and you’ll be heading for the dance floor before you know it!

From intimate club settings to festival stages, Kev Nichols & Blue Tuesday will keep you entertained, feeling good, and wanting more of their sweet rockin’ blues!

Chad Cecil and the Family Dentistry

robert — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:00:33 +0000

Chad Cecil and Family Dentistry is a folk act from Michigan whose music is a mixture of vocal harmonies, acoustic and electric guitars, double bass, violin, and drums producing an unfeigned sound. Chad Cecil began writing songs many years ago then has slowly been bringing in his friends in to play music together. The band is far from a one-man show; Pilgrim Metts on the double bass and Ashley Elliot on violin provide brilliantly expansive string sound. While Adam Dolson, electric guitarist, gives color to the group’s natural sound. Michael Valier Edwards, drummer and most recent collaborator, is an ingeniously diverse musician.
Chad Cecil and Family Dentistry recently released an EP that is self-titled. Jackson, Michigan’s own Jeff Stutzman, whom Chad considers a major developer in the group’s sound, produced the cd. The band has played shows in Lansing, Detroit, and participated in Jackson’s folk festival named Folk Galore.

Bill Bynum

admin — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:20:36 +0000

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!

Wavvy Hands with Andrew Price

robert — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 03:00:33 +0000

Wavvy Hands formed in the summer of 2011 between 3 good friends in the quiet
mid-Michigan town of Mt. Pleasant. With frontman Andrew Kauervane being in
bands like “V + The Nicotine Machine” and “The Leeches” in the past, as well
as keyboardist/programmer Corey Densmore’s work as “Galactic Vacationer” and
as a local concert promoter under the guise “DITR Promotions”, this band
already has a leg up on most bands in the area in both experience and
promotional savvy. Wavvy Hands is already making great strides towards being
a force to be reckoned with in Michigan, the Midwest and beyond.

If you provide a web link to us, please use facebook.com/wavvyhands for
that. On that page there is music, video and press clippings for us. It’s
our best tool for promotion online at this time.

Bob Marshall

robert — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 03:20:47 +0000

It all started with The Merv Griffin Show in 1967….

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