Musicians of Northeast Michigan

   

    'Way Out Wayne' Kendziorski has been entertaining audiences and influencing other musicians for decades. Wayne started forming bands in high school- the likes of Pendulum and The Rutt. He later moving to Detroit where he performed for many years with the Rick Hall Band and The RH Factor- highlighted by ...

    Trinity Episcopal Church organist Bill Kaltrider's story begins as a lad in Owosso, Michigan who was fascinated with organs. In this interview, Bill and his wife Pat recount his career in music- from sneaking into churches for some playtime on the organ, to touring with the Blue Jacket Navy Choir, ...

    St. Paul Lutheran Church organist Marvis McNeil recounts her life in music from her roots in Alpena to playing the violin in regional orchestras,and piano in supper clubs and private parties. Marvis talks about her musical family as well as her musical achievements in the Alpena Public School system.

   

   

   

    The music and words of local country music artist, Ernest Walker.

    At age 10, Clint Kirchoff received his first accordion from a Norwegian family in Leer, MI. He studied piano with Mrs. Douville while he was in high school. Clint played local dances and weddings in the area before he began sailing on the cement boats in 1949. He was often ...

    August 2016 James Rasche began playing guitar at the age of 14 and performed in the local Alcona music scene. In this interview, James talks about some of his early years playing at the Mountain Inn, Slanty Shanty, and Rainbow Lounge, as well as many local festivals, dances, and parties ...

    Coming from a musical family, Cal's love for music began at the early age of five and was influenced by his travels growing up in a military family. While his father was stationed in Hawaii, Cal learned traditional Hawaiian music and torch dancing which contributed in developing a passion for ...

    Husband and wife, Doug and Eve Allyn, worked professionally in rock and roll bands for over 35 years. Both natives of Northeast Michigan, the Allyns talk about their formative years in the Alpena area and their experiences working as musicians in Taiwan while Doug was stationed during the Vietnam War. ...

    Jim LaCross started playing sax and clarinet in local Alpena bands in the 1950's- including theThe Jim LaCross Trio, The Monarchs and The Kombo Katz. In 1960 Jim set off on tour with the Hal Wallace Quartet, a traveling show band that had been playing at Twin Acres. Jim was ...

    Bonnie Bartz is the lead vocalist of Alpena's Wild Rose, a group that offers a mix of blues, classic R & B, and Rock. She is also a founding member of the Thunder Bay Folk Society and president of its board. In this interview, Bonnie talks about her musical background, ...

    Jim Weeks, guitarist and radiologist, makes music with fellow doctor, Dave Larkin, in a band called House Call. They've performed locally at the Guitar Summit, the Thunder Bay Folk Festival and in the summer, you can find them on the shore of Grand Lake keeping the seanachie tradition alive. In ...

    The first time Wayne Bates played guitar in a bar he was around 12 years old, and the bar was The Bolton Bar. Wayne learned to play fiddle at the age of 10, then Hawaiian and Spanish guitar. He likes playing old time country and continues to play in the ...

    Greg Adamus earned his chops playing weddings and funerals with his dad's bands in West Detroit. After receiving degrees in both music and educational administration, Greg and his wife Betsy moved to Alpena in 1988. Greg was instrumental in shaping the music scene in the area through the Thunder Bay ...

    Renown studio trumpet player, teacher, and orchestrator, Carey Deadman got his roots in music in Alpena. Locaaly, Carey took private lessons from Dave Antolini, studied with Brad Moors and John Hopkins and toured nationally with the Young Americans while he was at Alpena High School. In his professional career, he ...

    A native of Alpena, Don Deadman was born into a musical family and began playing music at the age of one. In addition to teaching music and owning a music store in downtown Alpena, Don led a variety of local bands, preferring jazz, but comfortable in many styles. Don's father, ...

    Guitar player Glenn Anderson talks about playing music in the Alpena area, in Texas and recording in Nashville.Glenn plays country music primarily and some polka music as well. He started out with locally with Bussey String Band and discusses other players and venues in this interview.