Greetings from west Michigan!

Here’s a reminder to check the schedule for summer performances.  I’ve been doing quite a bit in Grand Rapids at places like Flat Landers Barstillery   and, Vitali’s Pizza and Sports Bar.  And, of course, we are back into full swing with our Wednesday night (mostly guitar) duos at The Mitten Bar in Ludington where I host a different guest artist every Wednesday from 7p-10p.  Many other venues make up the complete schedule.

This week’s Mitten guest is Rick Hicks (Ojays, Betty Joplin, DeBarge, Archie Bell & the Drells).
Next week’s Mitten guest is Stephen Plummer, a local Berkeley grad who can really pick.

One day, maybe, I will play only house concerts but that day has not yet arrived.  I will be happy when it comes.  Already, I’ve done a few this summer and there are several more coming up.  There are art gallery shows at Golden Key Gallery and theShagway Arts Barn, very similar to house concerts.  Perhaps, we can schedule a house concert in your home.  These are so cool and people just love them!  For more info visit www.concertsinyourhome.com

I’m also working with the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, LACA, to bring in a songwriter showcase.  This will feature 3 or 4 songwriters on stage together ala Bluebird Café, Nashville, each taking turns playing original songs and telling the back-story of each tune, how they were inspired and so forth.  This will be a great show.  Keep your eye on the schedule for dates and details.

Michigan is big on craft beers and I love ‘em, too!  Two beer festivals are coming up.  The first one is Suds On The Shore on August 15, in Ludington, and then, there’s theHops & Props beer and boat festival on September 19 in Manistee.

This past weekend we had a music fest in Ludington called LudRock.  It’s 2 full days of music with a different act coming on every 20 minutes.  I played on Saturday to a large and very responsive crowd.  LudRock is very worthwhile charitable event.  I was very proud of my former business partner, Frank Smiddy, with whom I co-founded ProAct Services Corp. in 1994.  Frank made ProAct the largest single contributor/sponsor for LudRock.   After my performance there, I played for my class reunion.

The reunion was a large event too, as they grouped 5 years of classes into one reunion.  Many old classmates never realized it was me playing until later.  I made sure to leave plenty of time for mixing and talking with old friends.  It was a great time and a late night.

Sunday night was the LudRock after party.  Holy crap!  I haven’t partied like that or stayed up that late since my early Key West days.  YEAH, BABY!

This place really kicks into high gear in the summer.  It is wonderful to share it with our family (especially, Brielle) and all our friends.  I’ve had 3 or 4 visits to the park with Brielle to swing, slide, run and play.  And there will be lots more park trips this summer.

‘Nuff for now, more later.

Yours in Music,

Fremont John