15 years after her debut EP, Ann Arbor, MI area musician Abigail Stauffer has finally released her 4th full length record. Delayed by a pandemic and the distance her collaborator Dave Haughey (aka Dave the Cellist), the newest release doesn't fit neatly into a musical category, but rather is an extension of the genre bending folk on her previous re…

Boston area singer/songwriter/storyteller/delightful human Hayley Reardon joined me for a conversation in Grove Studios on April 23, 2025. She's been on my radar for over a decade, but this was our first chance to meet and talk. Songs written by Hayley Reardon: Enough Is Everything Good News Bone Dance The Little Sadness More info on Hayley: https:…

Portland, OR based duo Fox & Bones joined me and gave me a peek into their world. They also played a couple new songs (including one, as of the time of publishing this, unreleased). Meet Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort on this episode of Acoustic Alternatives. Songs written by Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort "Ain't Giving Up Tonight" "Strange and Won…

It's been a decade since I last visited with this gifted vocalist. He's certainly had some great experiences since we last spoke. His voice and songwriting have only gotten better. Let me introduce you to, if you don't already know him, Greer , South Carolina's Noah Guthrie. Including performances of: Root Down (written by Noah Guthrie, Joy William…

Kyle Joe has previously visited the podcast under the name Kyle Rasche of Chain of Lakes Kyle has been through some life changes and a name change since the last visit to Grove Studios. Learn more about what he's been up to and hear some music from his new release Take It Easy including the premiere of the extra verses for his song "Michigan Man" A…

Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe made his second visit to Grove Studios on 2-16-25. A new Verve Pipe album is ready for release and a lot has happened in his life since we last visited in October of 2021. One of my favorite songwriters has done it again with another collection of songs that utilize words that paint vivid pictures. Join us for a c…

I really enjoyed this conversation and was really disappointed with myself for not double checking both of my audio recording sources. The first 4 minutes of audio you hear are being captured from the microphone on my laptop as opposed to the direct source I expected to use. The backup audio from the mixer in front of me....well, I failed to launch…

This singer songwriter originally from Long Island, NY first got attention with her cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Dolly herself appeared in the video and performed the song on television with her a few times. Her debut single "Come To Jesus" is a beauty of a song and a 10 on the John Bommarito 1-10 scale. Mindy stopped by Grove Studios in Ypsil…

Another emerging artist from the rich Michigan music scene is my guest on this episode of Acoustic Alternatives. 18 year old Kanin Wren has already captivated large audiences as a tribute artist. Now she's ready to start releasing more of her original music. It's good. It's really good. Meet Kanin Wren from Dewitt, MI on this episode of Acoustic Al…

Steven Page is not just another great guest to me. He sings on one of my top 15 albums of all time, Gordon. He's a multiple Juno award winner and Grammy nominee with his former band Barenaked Ladies. As part of that group he's sold over 15 million albums and singles and is in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. There is so much more I could have talke…

Jen Cass grew up in the Metro Detroit area and now calls Flushing, MI home. After three successful solo albums, she started a new project with her husband Eric Janetsky called The Lucky Nows. Their excellent second album is due out in June of 2024. Jen talks about her life and plays three emotionally charged songs from the new album and one from th…

It's been a long and varied journey for Dan Navarro. From co-writing one of the biggest hits of the 80s, to voice acting, to touring and releasing a plethora of material as part of Lowen and Navarro. If you only know his music, get ready to learn more about some of the other things he's been part of and is also known for. If you don't know him at a…

Dearborn, MI's Jo Serrapere's first visit to the podcast happened as part of a live show at Trinity House in Livonia, MI in April of 2022. I encourage you to go back and listen to that one to learn more about this Michigan treasure. Jo is ambitiously releasing two albums at once this Spring and the second chat was based around celebrating that. Hea…

Here is the audio only visit with Australian born guitarist extraordinaire, Kyran Daniel. You may want to watch the video too in order to enjoy his guitar playing with your eyes. Tommy Emmanuel thought he was good enough to take him on tour when Kyran was just a teenager, so you know you are dealing with someone very talented, even if you haven't h…

Mike Vial is an Ann Arbor based singer/songwriter, teacher, father, and husband who is doing a 20 year celebration of playing gigs, teaching books, and ranting rants at The Ark in Ann Abor on May 23, 2024, opening for a mutual favorite (and previous podcast guest), Ari Hest. Vial is prepping a new release due out soon and he plays a couple of new o…

Harmonica legend, Grammy winner, blues, folk, world music and rock musician not to mention all around beloved member of the Ann Arbor music scene, Peter Madcat Ruth joins me to celebrate 3/4 of a century of life and a life mostly spent playing music. His 75th birthday celebration takes place at The Ark in Ann Arbor on April 2, 2024. Songs include J…

Will Kimbrough plays rock, stripped down folk, Americana, and Country. He is an in demand guitar player, producer and songwriter. Oh and an author working on a book of the stories of his life. You'll hear tales of his adventures and collaborations with Jimmy Buffet, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, and a young R.E.M. My relationship wit…

Back in 2016 I discovered a young singer by the name of Katie Pederson. By 2018 I was pretty invested in singing her praises while she continued to put out great music on albums like The Landing and Limitless. On our last visit in a studio together on the Acoustic Alternatives podcast, you may have learned more about her. This time I was very happy…

I've been waiting years to present this episode. It's been ten years in between releases for Yspilanti, MI's, Adam Plomaritas. As soon as I started doing this podcast I told him "I want to do something when that next release is ready" It's been worth the wait. The EP, Old Time Love, is A+ excellent. It's got a full band and horns, unlike these stri…

Raised in Manitowoc, WI, but now calling Ann Arbor, MI home, Judy Banker is set to release her fourth record, Bonafide, on November the 4th. Filled with deeply personal lyrics and backed by a great band, this new release, produced by her son Ben, is her best yet in my opinion. Learn more about the four sides of Judy (singer/songwriter, photographer…

Jeff Daniels has done many things on screens and stages in his career. One of the things he has done that hasn't gotten as much attention as his roles in The Newsroom, To Kill a Mockingbird or Dumb and Dumber is playing music on stages and studios. He's been putting out albums since 2004 and, on many occasions when I was a DJ at WHFR in Dearborn, I…

Goldpine is a Nashville based duo who I first heard this year at a festival. It was a cold day in June, but they performed their hearts out. Once you hear Kassie's voice, you'll instantly hear what brings me in. It's hers, but it's familiar. The songs are strong and the stories are really good. She and Ben have been married 14 years and live a good…

A extraordinary duo from the south comes north for the Acoustic Alternatives Podcast to preview songs from their forthcoming album and talk about their lives and career. Pete and Crystal Demore are Ordinary Elephant. Crowded around two condenser microphones at 9 p.m. at night is nothing new from this duo. It was a great experience for me and I hope…

The Young Fables are a duo from Nashville recommended to me by their manger. Their manager happens to be the husband of one of my favorite artists (Liz Longley), so thank you Patryk Larney! He sent me their catalog for review and I felt like I had been missing out for years. All three records are super strong efforts. When Patryk gave me a sneak pe…

My first podcast guest from "across the pond" is the 25 year old Scottish singer Iona Fyfe. Drawing from the Celtic identity of her homeland, her beautiful voice helps paint imagery in your mind's eye of far off lands. She's quite an accomplished, intelligent and talented performer who is absolutely delightful to talk to. In 2021, she became the fi…

Annie Bacon is a current resident of Ann Arbor, MI, but she's lived on both side of the country before landing there. With 3 albums, 3 EPs and a single released since 2009, Annie is ready to take big leaps forward with two new albums and a book in the works as well as a musical that she cowrote with Kyle Rasche that could make its debut on stages n…

Michigan's Joanna (Ransdell) Sterling is in her third incarnation as a performer. Previously using her surname as well as fronting a band called Joanna and the Jaywalkers, Sterling has arrived with her strongest work to date. A new album called Queen of Wands. Working with Ypsilanti, MI's Chris DuPont on the recording and production side, this rele…

This episode of Acoustic Alternatives features the "distance band" Frances Luke Accord. Though when they formed they both lived in Indiana, the currently live in different states. The harmonies are as beautiful as a Simon and Garfunkel record and the songwriting of Nicholas Gunty and Brian Powers matches that beauty. Learn more about this duo and h…

Based in Ypsilanti, MI Drew De Four has been putting out original music since 2006 and playing in clubs and piano bars for a long time too. Recently Drew decided to pursue a new adventure and try his hand at producing a movie...about a group of piano bar singers. Shot in a vacant former piano bar in Pontiac, MI the film brings to life what it's lik…

"Eclectic indie singer/songwriter/producer Leah Marlene has been making music since she was big enough to hold a guitar. Taking third place on last year’s season of American Idol gave her career a boost, but she’s been working intently on her music, singing and songwriting for as long as she can remember. " Get to know Leah and hear a couple of as-…

A fixture in the Michigan music scene, Adam Labeaux has been making music for over three decades. After living in Midland, MI and San Francisco, CA (to name a couple), Adam is based these days in Ann Arbor, MI and has called on other members of the Michigan music scene to help out on his fourth solo album, "Brave Face." The new album is due out Jun…

Mike Ward is the Detroit based singer songwriter who differentiates himself from the other musically inclined Mike Ward's of the world by modifying his hockey nickname "psycho ward" into Mike Ward Psychosongs. Since retiring from the advertising world, he has concentrated heavily on his love of singing and songwriting. With four albums, a single an…

Sam Robbins grew up in New Hampshire, but, like many aspiring musicians, calls Nashville home these days. Influenced by the likes of James Taylor, Jackson Browne and Neil Young, Sam writes thought provoking lyrics with very skilled guitar playing. Not bad for a former drummer. You can learn more about Sam including his brief experiences with The Vo…

Misty Lyn Bergeron has been a staple of the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti music scene since she released her first album, For the Dead, in 2009. She has since gone on to become an in demand photographer and even done a women-centric podcast. We discuss all of those things and more including the new album, Narrows, in this discussion. She even performs an as …

Another mighty fine up and coming artist based in Michigan is my guest on this episode of Acoustic Alternatives. Jackie Pappas grew up on 28 acres and played in the woods of Ortonville, MI and her tunes reflect her outdoorsy personality. There's a lovely voice to accompany her charm. I see this as the beginning of a wonderful journey for a talented…

My relationship with Stephen Kellogg's music goes back to 2005 and my first commercial radio job at a station in Ann Arbor that, at the time, was the most supportive station in the country of his band Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers. He's released record after record of high quality songwriting with great, passionate singing. You can learn a lot abo…

Steve Taylor from Lake Orion, MI is an accomplished singer songwriter who is currently up for a batch of Detroit Music Awards in the Americana and Country categories (though I debate with him about the country tag in the discussion). Dawson's Creek comes up as does his admiration for a previous guest on the program, Glen Phillips. This Berklee Scho…

Annie Capps has long been part of a duo with her talented husband Rod, but for her latest album, it needed to be all about the women in her life. Learn more about her newest project, How Can I Say?, and a bit of background on this internationally known singer songwriter from Chelsea, MI. Songs include: How Can I Say Dirty Little Secret Only Sometim…

Recorded on location at Jess's home in Ann Arbor on the piano she learned to play on as a child, this session will sound a bit different than the others because of how it was recorded (see the video if you want to understand). I must note, it only sounds as good as it does because of the incredible Chris DuPont (do yourself a favor and listen the o…

Two of my favorite people, singers and musicians combine for one session featuring two songs by both artists. Return visitors to the podcast, Chris DuPont and Kylee Phillips recorded in the home of Chris DuPont to talk about the collaborations and show sharing they've been doing lately. Songs by Chris DuPont: Setting Fires Fragile Things written by…

Julianne Ankley is a gem of the Michigan music scene who is more than ready for national attention. From the Port Huron area, Julianne is making some of the best modern country music these ears have heard. Myself not being a fan of modern country music, that says a lot! The voice, the songs, the stories, the charm. It's all there. All songs written…

Rachael Davis returns to Michigan from Nashville for her second visit with John Bommarito. This time she only brought her banjo. The focus of this conversation is her participation in the event at The Ark in Ann Arbor on Jan 27th, 2023. Banjofest (https://theark.org/event/friday-night-folk-banjofest-230127/)! Songs include Sweetwater Sea Angeline t…

Heywood Banks - Musician - Poet - Comedian - Cult Icon - just as it says on his web site. A performing musician (under his birth name Stuart Mitchell) since the 70's. A comedian since the 80's and a cult icon since he added a toaster to his act, Heywood has been making us laugh with good, clean comedy songs for a long time. A staple on the syndicat…

Jill Jack has won 50 Detroit Music Awards since starting her music career 30 years ago. On the eve of her 60th birthday, she has planned a special celebration of her career in music at The Ark in Ann Arbor (January 14th, 2023). Since our last visit nearly two years ago, Jill has faced a serious health issue. We talk about that and other things that…

Glen Phillips has had two excellent careers. One as the lead singer in one of the most successful bands of the 90's, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and one as a solo artist (who happens to have many side projects like Mutual Admiration Society, Works Progress Administration, etc.). He's written and sang some of my all time favorites and it was my pleasure …

Chuck Brodsky is one of the best storytellers around. Though not a household name like Bob Dylan, he's every bit as good at embodying the characters in the songs he sings - and he often sings about real people. Probably best known for his two complete albums of baseball songs (and a third one on the way), Brodsky has released a new album in 2022 an…

Bob Mervak is a Detroit area musician who has been both a sideman and a front man in his musical adventures. He has many stories to tell that include people like David Foster, Sara Bareilles, Dax Sheppard, Kristen Bell and George Clooney to name a few. That, and he plays and writes great original music. Recorded in his home studio in Southfield, MI…

There were problems with the audio because the SD card I recorded it to failed, so what you are hearing is the "cleaned up" audio from my iPhone. It's not ideal. If this is your first of my podcasts, don't judge it on this or Rebecca's talent. I strongly encourage you to check both of us out independently of this episode. The conversation and perfo…

Singer Songwriter Ari Hest is my guest on the Acoustic Alternatives podcast. Audio and video for this special session recorded at Grove Studios in Ypsilanti debuts at 7:00 PM tonight. Ari is a grammy nominated singer/songwriter who began his career as an independent artist in 2001. He built a loyal following touring the college circuit extensively …

Guitarist Willy Porter (https://willyporter.com/) is joined in the Grove Studios by Dave Adler (https://www.daveadler.com/) and Carmen Nickerson (http://carmennickerson.com/) for a session with John Bommarito. Willy plays songs from his forthcoming, as of yet, untitled album, chats about his lengthy career and highlights his band during the discuss…