The Jackson Coffee Co. promotes local and regional music by providing live entertainment every Friday on our second floor. Musician perform a variety of coffee house style music Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m. There is never a cover charge, as all music is FREE to attend.
Musicians: interested in performing? Click here for more information.
A child of parents hailing from Ishpeming and Detroit; Ben Hassenger’s
musical career started in the cafeteria of Lansing Community College when
he was arrested for performing a version of “Smoke on the Water” in various
animal sounds. In the early 90’s he joined the popular Lansing-area band
Mystic Shake and has played with them until their retirement in 2010;
recording three CDs, and playing at various art fairs, festivals, and
coffeehouses. He also performs in the duo Blue Jello, with songwriting
partner Pat Malloy, plays as a solo artist, and is the unofficial “Michigan
Ukulele Ambassador”; founding the Lansing Area Ukulele Group (L.A.U.G.H.)
and Mighty Uke Day festival in Lansing, as well as starting the popular
Uke-O-Gram singing telegram compnany. He hosts the Music Under the Pines
house concert series and teaches ukulele and guitar. Ben has also had the
recent honor of having two of his songs about the Detroit Tigers admitted
into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. His songs range
from the silly to the sensitive and his dynamic and involving performance
will leave you chuckling and charmed. More info on Ben and links to his
music and videos can be found at www.benhassenger.com
Growing up the youngest of nine children, Steve Berkemeier was exposed to a wide variety of music that has had a lasting influence on him as a singer, songwriter and performer.Eventually, Berkemeier settled in as a solo act, performing on the six and twelve string guitar.
“I was always impressed by performers like John Denver, James Taylor and Harry Chapin, who could entertain audiences with just their voice and guitar, and I realized that was what I wanted to do” Berkemeier says.
While he is often compared to those performers the influence of rockers like Bruce Springsteen, and John Mellencamp is also apparent in Berkemeiers music.
Berkemeier has also enjoyed success with his own songs. A The Seventh Son a recording of original works includes the autobiographical title cut and explores the love for and devotion to his wife Margaret (You Are My Life), the evolution of long term friendships (I’ m Still Here) and the challenge of living up to one’ s potential (This Day).
Dave Hoger, entertainment editor of the Jackson Citizen Patriot wrote “the songs on “The Seventh Son” showcase an artist who has the ability to weave the right words with the right emotion into a first-rate album that deserves to be heard.”
Another original composition, the rollicking “Great Lake Splendor” (The Michigan Department of State) became that agency’s theme song. Berkemeier recorded a version that was used on the department’s web sight as well as for a video played in Secretary of State offices all over Michigan. Berkemeier also performed the song live at appearances by Secretary of State Candice Miller in more than 40 Michigan communities.
Berkemeiers’s latest CD “Playing Favorites” is a collection of some of his most frequently requested songs along with some of his personal favorites by artists who have been an influence to him.
For more than 15 years now, Berkemeier has combined the strength of his original songs with popular, classic and contemporary songs by other artists, to entertain audiences all over the State of Michigan and Ohio. His frequent appearances at area festivals and venues have made him one of the region’s most popular entertainers
While most U.S. based singer-songwriters work on building a Stateside fan base in the hopes of someday playing for audiences overseas, Russ Glenn’s career began with an impromptu performance Down Under. While studying Resource and Environmental Management at a college in Australia, the Southern California bred Glenn was at a club late one night when the house band ran out of songs. They asked for volunteers to come up and play, and he got up and jammed on one of his favorite songs, Jane’s Addiction’s “Jane Says.” Now, some years later, he has recorded that song among ten originals and a cover of The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane” on A Brand New Earth, his third and latest independent release.
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
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
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.
