2008 Woodie Awards
Mid-Michigan music: stagnant or thriving?
By: Mike Fuksman
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Lifeline
With Michigan's economy continuing to spiral downward, many people are cutting extravagances from their budget in an effort to save money.
One of those luxuries includes going to local concerts. Or is it?
"There are plenty of promoters who are 'doing well', at least keeping a relatively busy schedule," said Nate Dorough, talent buying/accounting and promoter for the independent music company Fusion Shows. "They may not be making a ton of money, but if you're in this business to make money, you're nuts."
Fusion Shows brings large touring bands to towns like Howell and Mount Pleasant, in turn allowing smaller, local bands to open up for them. CMU's own Diamonds In The Rough Promotions follows a similar model.
"These promoters are not only helping bring exciting touring bands to smaller towns than the typical main markets of Detroit and Grand Rapids, they are helping bands in and near those small towns be able to break out and show their stuff to a wide variety of people," said Corey Densmore, promoter for DITR.
Mount Pleasant always has had a fairly strong music scene, with natives Anathallo enjoying widespread success in particular.
Densmore's efforts to bring more big-name artists to the area only adds to the town's reputation.
"We Shot the Moon from San Diego- they liked coming to Mount Pleasant so much, they are excited to come back and hopefully will be on their upcoming tour," Densmore said.
But maintaining a healthy music scene is a great deal of work with a very small cash out. So why bother?
DITR associate Randall Erno professed his genuine love of music as his reason for getting involved.
Erno spent a few years on the road with various bands before joining DITR.
"I started booking shows shortly after (going on tour) because I love the feeling of people uniting to witness art," he said.
Densmore agreed.
"Helping out great local and small time bands is really the most rewarding thing I think anyone can get involved with in the music industry," Densmore said.
"Sure, there are struggles along the way, but if done correctly it can surely pay off in the end."
However, local promoters might face even more difficulty with the coming seasons.
"Summer is difficult for all ages promotions because word-of-mouth in schools is one of our best ticket sellers. When school isn't in, it's much harder to get word out," Dorough said.
lifeline@cm-life.com
One of those luxuries includes going to local concerts. Or is it?
"There are plenty of promoters who are 'doing well', at least keeping a relatively busy schedule," said Nate Dorough, talent buying/accounting and promoter for the independent music company Fusion Shows. "They may not be making a ton of money, but if you're in this business to make money, you're nuts."
Fusion Shows brings large touring bands to towns like Howell and Mount Pleasant, in turn allowing smaller, local bands to open up for them. CMU's own Diamonds In The Rough Promotions follows a similar model.
"These promoters are not only helping bring exciting touring bands to smaller towns than the typical main markets of Detroit and Grand Rapids, they are helping bands in and near those small towns be able to break out and show their stuff to a wide variety of people," said Corey Densmore, promoter for DITR.
Mount Pleasant always has had a fairly strong music scene, with natives Anathallo enjoying widespread success in particular.
Densmore's efforts to bring more big-name artists to the area only adds to the town's reputation.
"We Shot the Moon from San Diego- they liked coming to Mount Pleasant so much, they are excited to come back and hopefully will be on their upcoming tour," Densmore said.
But maintaining a healthy music scene is a great deal of work with a very small cash out. So why bother?
DITR associate Randall Erno professed his genuine love of music as his reason for getting involved.
Erno spent a few years on the road with various bands before joining DITR.
"I started booking shows shortly after (going on tour) because I love the feeling of people uniting to witness art," he said.
Densmore agreed.
"Helping out great local and small time bands is really the most rewarding thing I think anyone can get involved with in the music industry," Densmore said.
"Sure, there are struggles along the way, but if done correctly it can surely pay off in the end."
However, local promoters might face even more difficulty with the coming seasons.
"Summer is difficult for all ages promotions because word-of-mouth in schools is one of our best ticket sellers. When school isn't in, it's much harder to get word out," Dorough said.
lifeline@cm-life.com
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