Michigan Music History Podcast -- MMHP989

Matthew Smith brought a song to start the show with the MMHP. Nobody has done this yet. A new, as of yet unrecorded track, voice and piano. Smith writes and records more music than most people can take a breath of in a day. Between The Volebeats, Outrageous Cherry, and his solo work, Smith has outlined a career in indy sonics, world class craft, and master musicianship. He has worked with everyone...

It's not very often you get to hear from the Chairman of the Board himself, but when it happens, you tape it! Martin 'Tino' Gross brought the MMHP into his studio for a historical rundown from behind the recording desk, behind the drum set, behind the mic and guitars, and from behind the television show 'Tales From The D' where Tino just won Two Michigan Emmy Awards for his historical Detroit PBS...

Going back to the mid-'60s, who would have thought that Allen Park had a music scene that would flesh out one of the finest groups to hit the charts in the Michigan music scene? Rick Stevers is a founding member of the mighty Frijid Pink, who continues to tell the story from behind the drum kit. Stevers is also a member of the Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame and the Pink's cover of 'House Of Th...

Going back to the mid-'60s, who would have thought that Allen Park had a music scene that would flesh out one of the finest groups to hit the charts in the Michigan music scene? Rick Stevers is a founding member of the mighty Frijid Pink, who continues to tell the story from behind the drum kit. Stevers is also a member of the Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame and the Pink's cover of 'House Of Th...

Rob Tyner's Best Friend. Lester Bang's confidante. One of Townes VanZandt's favorite songwriters. Motown's Bob Babbitt played for him. The one and only Gil Clark has breached the Michigan Music enigma, as a folk musician, rock and blues bassist, first call vocalist, record store owner, and friend to rebel-rousing stars. From the late '70s to now, Clark has immersed himself as a musician and Michig...

Rob Tyner's Best Friend. Lester Bang's confidante. One of Townes VanZandt's favorite songwriters. Motown's Bob Babbitt played for him. The one and only Gil Clark has breached the Michigan Music enigma, as a folk musician, rock and blues bassist, first call vocalist, record store owner, and friend to rebel-rousing stars. From the late '70s to now, Clark has immersed himself as a musician and Michig...

The Michigan Music History Podcast is taking note! We have not been the only ones thriving in Michigan Music and mitten state documentation. When it comes to "preserving the Michigan stories," add these to your favorites: Time Signatures --a blues podcast hosted by J Ervin Bates https://www.lcc.edu/connect/shows/time-signatures.html Total Michigan --a complete state wide storyline by Cliff Duverno...

Benny Speer (#Mr. Benny & The Jets ) knows a little bit about Michigan rock history. His father booked shows in Detroit, bringing in the first New York Dolls, Blue Oyster Cult and Kiss concerts, exposing and formulating the Motor City music scene to what we all know today. Benny played the clubs, halls, theaters, from Michigan through Canada, as a regional singer/guitarist. When his band Benny & T...

Benny Speer (#Mr. Benny & The Jets ) knows a little bit about Michigan rock history. His father booked shows in Detroit, bringing in the first New York Dolls, Blue Oyster Cult and Kiss concerts, exposing and formulating the Motor City music scene to what we all know today. Benny played the clubs, halls, theaters, from Michigan through Canada, as a regional singer/guitarist. When his band Benny & T...

 Ross Helco is full of stories. This man has sat behind the kit and played some of the greatest spots during the '60s and '70s. He continues to wave the flag of his mothership The Sunday Funnies.     From the Dearborn/Detroit area, Helco was a prominent drummer in the early days of Michigan's rock scene. He was even asked to perform on the Ed Sullivan show--which he and the band ended up firing th...

   Ross Helco is full of stories. This man has sat behind the kit and played some of the greatest spots during the '60s and '70s. He continues to wave the flag of his mothership The Sunday Funnies.     From the Dearborn/Detroit area, Helco was a prominent drummer in the early days of Michigan's rock scene. He was even asked to perform on the Ed Sullivan show--which he and the band ended up firing...

Welcome to our FIFTH YEAR here at the MMHP in the 989!    After storming into 2026, we are not letting our foot off the gas! The Princess Of Rockin' Gospel Blues herself, Sharrie Williams, visited us in house at our Bay City Rock Legends Hall of Fame for a discussion on her inspirational career. Sharrie takes us into the workings of her beginnings, her immense European fan base/tours/awards, why s...

We are kicking the year off right--Live Bullet and Nine Tonight rip your ears off. Not just because of Seger, but because of the guitarist Drew Abbott . You have him to thank for the countless riffs, energy, and pure Michigan guitarist love. Abbott visited the MMHP in 2025 and it was one FOR THE BOOKS! Abbott left no holds barred on his feelings on the business, his thoughts on tours, his thoughts...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OUR MMHP989 LISTENING FAMILY!!    We are kicking the year off right--Live Bullet and Nine Tonight rip your ears off. Not just because of Seger, but because of the guitarist Drew Abbott . You have him to thank for the countless riffs, energy, and pure Michigan guitarist love. Abbott visited the MMHP in the 989 in 2025 and it was one FOR THE BOOKS! Abbott left no holds barred on hi...

Chances are you've heard this low-end thumper in your bass woofers, or have seen him perform around Michigan (as well as the world). He's performed with various national acts, including Bettye LaVette, Sturgill Simpson, Brett Lucas, Mitch Ryder, and more. He's a 'first-call' from the bass master. himself, Michigan's Don Was for multiple studio projects. Chuck Bartels lives, eats, breathes, and is...

Chances are you've heard this low-end thumper in your bass woofers, or have seen him perform around Michigan (as well as the world). He's performed with various national acts, including Bettye LaVette, Sturgill Simpson, Brett Lucas, Mitch Ryder, and more. He's a 'first-call' from the bass master. himself, Michigan's Don Was for multiple studio projects. Chuck Bartels lives, eats, breathes, and is...

A Grammy Award winning world renown man of harmonicas--acoustics, intellect, incredible sound telepathy, time signatures, and known to play many styles, Peter 'Madcat' Ruth joins the MMHP for a two-part series that discusses his career, his styles, his sounds, and we touch base on many of his guest sessions. He even performs for us!    Here in Part 2, Madcat offers historical retrospective on band...

A Grammy Award winning world renown man of harmonicas--acoustics, intellect, incredible sound telepathy, time signatures, and known to play many styles, Peter 'Madcat' Ruth joins the MMHP for a two-part series that discusses his career, his styles, his sounds, and we touch base on many of his guest sessions. He even performs for us!    In Part 1, Madcat gives us the Brubeck family background he wa...

   And in part two, finally for our second round with the guitar master, the MMHP989 are offered news on his current top of the charts smooth jazz single, 'Sunset Beach' as well as a deep peek into the making of the new Question Mark & The Mysterians documentary, 'Everything Comes To Me which is due out in 2026, along with the first issuing of the long lost 'third' Question Mark & The Mysterians a...

   For our second round with the guitar master, the MMHP in the 989 are offered news on his current top of the charts smooth jazz single, 'Sunset Beach' as well as a deep peek into the making of the new Question Mark & The Mysterians documentary, 'Everything Comes To Me which is due out in 2026, along with the first issuing of the long lost 'third' Question Mark & The Mysterians album.    Bobby is...

The MMHP989 sat down with Mike Richards in the summer of 2024, with lead singer and guitarist of ADABOY!, a group that has spanned the past decade with growth and adjustment moving around players and parts, as well as songs and styles, to create one of Mid-Michigan's burgeoning bands that have recorded albums from Bay City to Nashville. Richards has spoken about releasing singles, pulling down pas...

HOLD THE PRESSES:   While you await part two with Mike Richards from ADABOY! (dropping Thursday, Oct. 2)--Here is the lowdown for the 2025 Hells Half Mile Independent Film and Music Fest. We annually feature this episode to promote the bands that come to Bay City's acclaimed festival each year for our listeners that happen to be heading to Bay City to hear the independent acts and catch some films...

The MMHP in the 989 sat down with Mike Richards in the summer of 2024, with lead singer and guitarist of ADABOY!, a group that has spanned the past decade with growth and adjustment moving around players and parts, as well as songs and styles, to create one of Mid-Michigan's burgeoning bands that have recorded albums from Bay City to Nashville. Richards has spoken about releasing singles, pulling...

Malcom Cottle brings video to life. malcomcottlemedia.com is a bevy of projects, videos, and music that he has curated while enjoying time as a drummer in Freemont Pike, front man in Sons Of Horace, and curating the Sloan Museum of Discovery in Flint.     Born in Ontario, Cottle has balanced dual citizenship with a passion for all things music, audio, video, production and hits his mark at all thi...

The original Count-- Butch Burden is still thumping the bass and singing the songs. Count & The Colony were the up-and-coming band in the mid-60s, hitting the road with Question Mark & The Mysterians, as well flagging shared management with Lilly Gonzales, touring in the Count's teen years. The road was no stumbling block, providing city-to-city exposure, parties, and dedication to craft which rem...