Welcome!

  1. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    I thought I'd start this forum to share and discuss all mandolin related interests in Michigan. Besides the Great Lakes, we have great luthiers (Mike Kemnitzer, Paul Newson, and Dan Voight to name a few), great music stores (Elderly!), great mandolinists (e.g., Don Julin, Jeff Rose), great mandolin history (Gibson-Kalamazoo), and great people. Share your news, events, information, jam sessions, and all things Michigan Mandocentric here.
  2. Jimmy Kittle
    Jimmy Kittle
    Thanks Steve-o, Sounds like fun..
  3. jasona
    jasona
    I was born and grew up in Michigan; can I join?
  4. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Welcome Jasona, of course you can join. I set this up as a public forum, not an invitation only. The only prerequisite is an interest in Michigan happenings. Where did you live in Michigan?

    And welcome Tuner. What part of the state are you from? I live near Traverse City.
  5. Jimmy Kittle
    Jimmy Kittle
    I live in the West Central part. Hesperia. I do get up that way, I am also the sound tech for Detour.
    My hometown is South of Jackson, but I've been up here for 25 years.
  6. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Tuner,
    Wow, the sound tech for Detour! They are a great BG band. Surprisingly, I have not caught a live show of theirs yet. I tried to make it to Coopers Glen this year, but the weather and other obstacles got in the way. I sure hope to catch them this year. Do you cover all of their shows?

    It would be nice if you would start a new topic on Detour. I'd like to hear more about them. We should save this topic for introductions, me thinks.
  7. Jimmy Kittle
    Jimmy Kittle
    Yeah,when I am in the States, I'm with Detour. I have spent about 7 months of the last year in Shanghai, China. I was in China during the Coopers Glen show and missed that. When I am home, I am with them wherever they play. I also run the sound for festivals in Charlotte and Milan. Being part of Detour is much better than the festivals, their a great band, great guys and I get to spend more time pickin, plus I really enjoy thier music.
  8. Scott Austin
    Scott Austin
    Hi Steve-o
    I would like to join the group,I live in N.Lakeport
    Scott
  9. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Welcome Scott. Glad you could join us and represent the thumb! What do you play?
  10. Scott Austin
    Scott Austin
    Hey Steve-o
    I play the Mandolin,and guitar if that is what you wanted to know.If not let me know what you want to know and I'll let you know.whew
  11. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Scott,
    Yeah, just curious what instruments and musical styles the Michigan folks have. I play mandolin, OM, and guitar - mostly fiddle tunes & celtic, a little blues & BG, and aspire to play jazz.
  12. Scott Austin
    Scott Austin
    I grew up playing bluegrass and old time music.
    For a number of years I have been looking into pretty much anything that peaks the interest
    from jazz to rock ,blues, of course I still play bluegrass and old fiddle tunes etc.
    [my brother is a pretty decent fiddler]
  13. Jeff Rose
    Jeff Rose
    Big Shake and Howdy to all y'all Michigan Mandocentrists! Steve-o thanks for starting this, I look forward to getting to know the folks that are hanging out in our neck of the woods. peace - love - and bluegrass.
  14. lefty mandoman
    lefty mandoman
    Hi Steve-o,
    I'm from the Brighton/Pinckney area. I play mandolin and guitar, both of which are made by Collings! I like to play anything that's done well.. mostly bluegrass, swing, jazz, folk, etc. I'd sure love to find more pickers in my area looking to hook up! Maybe we could start another forum for that?? See ya!
  15. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Welcome Jeff and Lefty. Glad you could join us. Love your Detour stuff Jeff, and you sure can play that Wiens! When are you coming to Traverse City? Lefty, being between Detroit and Lansing, I expect there's a few pickers around. Maybe they'll show up here.
  16. lefty mandoman
    lefty mandoman
    Hey Steve-o,
    Yea there's a few.. i'd like to find more! Can't have too many picking buddies can ya?? We got a fun Wednesday jam coming up tomorrow, would love to see some new friends show up for the fun!
    ;-)
  17. MWM
    MWM
    I'm in. I pick a Collings MT2 and a Martin D-18V at most regional festivals. I live in GR. Howdy to all.
  18. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Welcome MWM. I take it you are a BG picker. Do you get involved with the WMBGA? I think I'll start a topic on their Mayfest, since I've never been and would like some scoop.
  19. Bill Van Liere
    Bill Van Liere
    Steve, is that you that put up that great pic of the dunes? Looks great. My guess is that this is a view from Empire beach looking north toward Sleeping Bear. I lived in Traverse City, Bow Rd. near Glen Lake actually, from 1980 until 1996 when I moved to GR.

    Thanks BVL
  20. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Bill,
    Yes, you are right on both guesses. You know God's country when you see it. I bet it was hard to move "down south."
  21. jasona
    jasona
    Steve-o: I was born and grew up in Grand Rapids, and lived in Ann Arbor for 8 or so years too. Lots of Grand Rapidians on the Cafe.
  22. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Jasona,
    Yeah, I gathered that there are lots of folks from the GR area on the cafe. Hopefully they will join our group. I grew up in the Detroit burbs, spent 8 years in the UP, and now split the difference in TC.
  23. Jackie Walters
    Jackie Walters
    Hi All, I live in the Hudsonville area, actually a cute lil' town called Jamestown. It's a quiet little farm town. I started mandolin at age 45. I play an "A" style made by Ken Ratcliff's wife. His wife names her mandolins and mine is named "Abril". I also play guitar and have done so since 12. I'm in a bluegrass gospel group called, "For Heaven's Sake". We've been together now for about 4 years. We play all over West Michigan. Mostly at churches, music festivals, banquets, any place that will have us really..LOL. We do all types of bluegrass but we serve the Lord by playing gospel. We are looking forward to all of our gigs this year..wow..especially Beaver Island Music Festival. I plan on doing some vacationing while there...I always wanted to go there..and now it's happening..how cool is that?? Looking forward to chatting and meeting you all at some point in time. You all seem very nice!!
  24. Jackie Walters
    Jackie Walters
    OH..one more thing...I'M A BIG DETOUR FAN!!!!
  25. Steelee
    Steelee
    Great Idea - Just moved to Newaygo to fish and play my mandolin. I play bluegrass and gospel. Just started 2 years ago and I love playing (therapy for me). Hope to se you all - Down the Road.
    Lee Oliver
  26. jasona
    jasona
    Jackie, its funny how many folks from West Michigan seem to play SA/Ratcliff mandolins (I also have a Laura). You should stop by the Silverangel group sometime too!
  27. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Welcome Lee. You are not too far from the West Michigan Bluegrass Assoc. events. Have you checked them out?
    - Steve
  28. Charley wild
    Charley wild
    I lived in Leelanau County for about fifteen years and vacation a couple of months every summer in Maple City. Hope you don't mind me joining!
    (The photo on the face page looks very familiar!)
  29. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Welcome Charley. The only requirement to join our group is an interest in Michigan. You don't have to live here. Yeah, the dune in the photo is just north of Empire, so I'm sure you've seen it quite a few times. It actually has some mandolin/music connection, since this was the view from the beach near the Dunegrass Festival in years past.

    And speaking of, the "new" Dunegrass Festival is this weekend. I am not attending, despite it being in my backyard. It is cool and rainy today - not the best outdoor festival weather. I really liked the old festival site better too - you could walk to that fabulous beach... Does anyone have a report on this year's festival?
  30. Charley wild
    Charley wild
    Thanks Steve,
    I'm back in NH as of last week. I think the new festival site is better in the long run as is the new attitude. Local talent will last for the long term better than the need to make it bigger and better every year. Plus Empire ain't too big and the festival was getting to a lot of the locals as you probably know. Anyway Leelanau, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties are a VERY special place in this world. Hard to explain to anyone who hasn't been there. But why am I telling you? Thanks again; I'll buy you a cup at Aroma's next summer!
  31. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Hey Charley. Sounds like you've been around here recently. Aromas is only about 2 years old... and I'll take you up on that offer. I work two floors up from Aromas. One of my coworkers lives directly across the street from the new Dunegrass site, so I'll get a report from her Monday.
    Cheers!
  32. Jackie Walters
    Jackie Walters
    I'm very familar with the Traverse City area. Every late June, we rent a cottage on Arbutus Lake, at Mac's Landing. We also vacation up in Northport in October. I've not been to Dunegrass, but maybe I should take it in. When is that?
  33. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Hi Jackie,
    Dunegrass was last weekend. I missed it, so cannot comment. (I prefered the old setting right in Empire near the dune which is our avatar). How was the Beaver Island Music Festival and your gig there? We made it to Blissfest but not to Beaver Is.

    We live on Chandler Lake which is the next lake north of Arbutus. We also spend many weekends in Northport where we keep a sailboat. If you want to visit and do some picking, PM me before you come up. My wife likes to sing gospel music, so it would be fun.
    Steve
  34. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Charley,
    Sorry, I forgot to report in on Dunegrass. I did not go, but my coworker said it went well despite a rainy Saturday. It seemed to be well attended and the mostly Michigan bands well received. She said some of the music went until 3 a.m., which surprised me a bit.
  35. Charley wild
    Charley wild
    Thanks Steve,
    Good to hear. I hope they can continue with local talent. It's a great showcase for said talent and cheaper for the promoters. As far as the old location goes, you can still slip off and spend a couple of hours down at the beach and not have to deal with as large a crowd as in the past.
  36. Mark Marino
    Mark Marino
    Hi all- I'm up in Petoskey and play mando, guitar and toy around with others. I play a lot of living room jams, charity events, etc when I get the time. Would be interested in linking with any other players within easy driving distance that would be interested in duet or trio stuff for fun.

    I play a Newson, and an old Gibson A. I also frequent the local festivals (wheatland, bliss), but really prefer the smaller ones (Nor'eastr, Farmfest).
  37. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Hi Mark. Glad you could join us! We haven't had much discussion on this social group lately. Either we are all too quiet, busy, or unemployed and looking for work!

    I know we've traded PMs before. I'd enjoy picking some tunes with you if you like ITM, or fiddle tunes, or even a little Django. I have a couple mandos and an OM. I'm in TC, but could arrange a drive up there or to Boyne City some time.

    Heck, I may have seen you jamming at Bliss. I saw a couple guys, one with a guitar, and one with an ol' Gibby out playing on Sunday morning, I think. Nice picking too.

    Keep in touch,
    Steve
  38. Mark Marino
    Mark Marino
    I usually do Bliss, but skipped this year. Would be good to meet you- I'm pegged until after Thanksgiving, but let's keep that in mind for maybe December or through the Looong winter. Feel free to email me a couple jam tune suggestions at my home email- marinos@chartermi.net so when we get together we've got something in common
  39. jc2
    jc2
    Just found this group, and find y'all are all around me, I've been in Lawton for about three years, after almost 20 years in Big Rapids, following almost 10 years in Northport. Played every Monday night in Traverse City with the TC Celtic pickup band at the Loading Dock for a good long while. Lately been involved with a pretty trad kind of Irish session at the Strutt bar and coffee house in Kalamazoo. Love the music, love the mandolin, love the camaraderie. I wish I had spell check.
  40. Tom Sanderson
    Tom Sanderson
    Hey Guys,
    I'm near Traverse City too, I'm out by Turtle Creek Casino. I play in a contra dance band called Fog Harbor. We're playing the Bliss Dance in Petoskey on
    Dec 5th. I'm always open to playing with new people. It would be nice to get some kind of regular jam going around here.
  41. Dan Voight
    Dan Voight
    Sorry to say but I might be leaving Michigan in the near future witch would ultimately render me an invalid member for this group. I'd thought I'd join any how and say hello to the Michiganders.
  42. luckylarue
    luckylarue
    Another transplanted Michigander here. Born in Flint, raised in East Lansing. The other half of my life in Colorado and now northern New Mexico. The mountains are my home now but I still haves family ties to the Great Lakes and still a Wings/Tigers/Lions/Pistons fanatic.
  43. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Dan - Leave Michigan! Imagine that! (Last one out turn off the lights). Where are you headed, and will you still build mandolins? And you are always welcome in this group, so stick around!

    Lucky - Welcome! Glad you could join us and support our sports teams. I've been in Michigan most of my life, but lived in Colorado and Idaho in the 1980s. The Great Lakes never quite let go of you. It's in the blood. Hope to hear more from you.
    -Steve
  44. Jesse Harmon
    Jesse Harmon
    I finally found my way here. I'm new to mandolin coming from classical guitar background. Just trying to get my mind around the fretboard and tuning right now. I have been playing in some fiddle tune books and and Irish mando book among others. Sounds like most everyone here has alot more time than I have right now for the festivals etc. Hope to partake sometime in the future. I appreciated your suggestions Steve and hope to do something in the future. I am quite un-initiated in mandolin music but I a sure getting and education here. I am a little south of Flint in Goodrich.
  45. AnneFlies
    AnneFlies
    I live in Saline, just south of Ann Arbor. Began playing mandolin about two years ago, mostly Celtic, a little Bluegrass. Just found Mandolin Cafe & am totally addicted to the site. I have a 1993 Flatiron A5 Artist & a Loar LM250VS for travel & camping. Since I'm going up to Ionia this weekend I'll be going right by Elderly's, so I expect to add "something" to my little collection.

    Hope to meet some of you!
  46. Steve-o
    Steve-o
    Welcome Jesse and Anne to the Michigan social group. Glad to have you aboard and nice to see some relatively new mandolin aficionados. I know you teach classical guitar Jesse, so I imagine you are learning quickly how to adapt to mandolin, and are enjoying the advantages of being tuned in fifths. Anne, I hope you get some takers from southeastern Michigan pickers. Perhaps Charlie Jones, one of the site moderators, will chime in and offer tips. Or you can PM him. Enjoy your pilgrimage to Elderly.
    Steve
  47. AnneFlies
    AnneFlies
    Steve-o, I started the SE MI pickers group before I realized there was already a MI group, so I deleted it. Someday I'll learn to look around before I start something. ;-)

    A Weber Y2K2 on consignment at Elderly's jumped into my arms and quietly announced it was going home with me. Wow - what great sound!
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