Shocking Insights Revealed While Visiting Kalamazoo
Don’t you just love saying Kalamazoo?
Shocking News
Most of the news in our country is not good. I’ve been feeling both angry and sad over the loss of life. At first, I thought I should write about these feelings. You know, get it out and share it with you. Yet, I’m sure you are already dealing with your own misgivings. So instead, I’ve decided to share with you a shocking story that occurred at the Great Beer State conference and Trade show in Kalamazoo
If you aren’t familiar, the Great Beer State Conference and Trade Show is an annual event that brings together the Michigan craft beer industry to learn and share ideas. Life In Michigan attends as an allied member of the guild and sets up a table at the trade show to hand out swag and share what we are all about with whoever may stop by. I also dash about photographing the event to provide a bit of documentation for the guild, as well as Life In Michigan. If I’m completely honest, I get a huge kick out of being able to be somewhat tangentially part of the Michigan beer world. It also allows Brenda and me to hang out with some of the cool kids.
This year, while sitting at our table at the trade show, we experienced quite a shock. A woman named Maddie from Ann Arbor Tees came up to us. She said something along the lines of “Oh, Life In Michigan! I’m a big fan. I listen to your podcast. I look forward to it every other Friday.” Brenda and I nearly fell out of our chairs.
We realize there are folks out there who read this newsletter, read our stories on Life In Michigan, and listen to our podcast. But what is absolutely shocking is that they aren’t family and friends!! I love our stories and very much enjoyed our podcast, as it gives us a chance not only to talk with people but also to share those conversations with others who may find them interesting. The thing is, Brenda and I just can’t get over the fact that you are out there reading and listening without any tangible connection to us.
Folks read or listen to us who aren’t blood relatives or close friends, who may feel obligated to because “well, they are nice and jeez, look at what they have done here.” Sort of like, when your friend shows you a picture of their ugly kid, and you say, “Oh, how cute.” Or they play you a tune, sadly out of tune, and you smile and say, “Nice job there, bub!” There are people without any feeling of obligation who actually care about what you’ve shared and found it enjoyable! It is absolutely shocking!
You may be thinking, “Dude! Are you just saying that to make me feel awesome?” First off, you are awesome regardless. Second, I’m totally serious when I say I’m shocked. Especially when someone leaves a comment or comes up in person to share kind words about our creative passion. I realize it is goofy for me to admire the work of others and, at the same time, be astounded when others reciprocate the love. What can I say, I’m weird.
I suppose in some sense I feel this way because I’ve never really created anything that was intended to please others. As you may know, Brenda calls me the “look at me kid.” Yes, I’m not shy about telling my friends and family, “Look at this cool thing I did.” Yet in the same breath, I’ve not sought the acknowledgement of others. I certainly share my work because I feel it is good, and perhaps someone else might like it, too. Yet I love to share all sorts of creative endeavors, whether mine or someone else’s.
It could be that I’m older and didn’t have social media influencing me as a kid. But I honestly just create things because I want to. I play guitar and write songs because I want to. I take photographs because I want to document my experiences and explore what I can do with a camera. I write reviews and essays because I want to explore what I can do with words. While I do love wit hen someone pays attention, that is not my primary goal.
All that said, I’m so very thankful. While I joke about friends and family having to read or listen to us. They actually don’t have to. Their support makes me shine. Whether you are a friend, family, acquaintance, or a complete stranger, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read our stories and this newsletter. I’m thrilled that you listen to our podcasts. My hope is that in a small way, we are helping to spread the word about killer music, beer, art, people, and destinations in Michigan.
So if you see me and share that you enjoy our creative endeavors, I hope I don’t put you off with the goobery expression on my face. I do appreciate your kindness, but I just feel like a dork receiving it.
Upcoming Events You Won’t Want to Miss
Our events calendar on Life In Michigan is a treasure trove of events we’ve scoured the interwebs to bring to you. There are a ton of great events coming up. From that list, here are a few highlights:
Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week on Jan 31 through Feb 7
A week of fun events and craft beverages in Kalamazoo. Hit up their website for all the events. If you want a peek into the fun, check out our story from last year.
Laith Al-Saadi at the Rumpus Room in Chelsea on Feb 6
Enjoy the soulful blues of Michigan’s musical gem, Laith Al-Saadi
Heikki Lunta Winter Festival 2026 in Negaunee on Feb 6 - 9
When you live in the U.P., you’ve got to love winter, and what better way than with a festival.
UP 200, Midnight Run, and Jack Pine 30 Sled Dog Races in Marquette on Feb 12-15
Join us up in the U.P. for the sled dog races. Festivities are in Marquette, Gwinn, and Grand Marais during this weekend of mushing.
In Other News
Speaking of the Great Beer State Conference and Trade Show, don’t miss our story on what we experienced this year.
On the music front, I had a fantastic time at Jeff Fest 5 at Papa Pete’s in Kalamazoo. Great music and fantastic people!
GIG - The Art of Michigan Music 2026 is happening in Chelsea as part of their annual Sounds & Sights festival on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25. The Call For Visual Artists is open. If you or someone you know is interested, please send your submissions in now. We will close out submissions on March 1, 2026
Heads up music industry folks! If you are a musician, venue owner/staff, run lights or sound for music events, book shows, manage music artists, provide music instruction of any kind, are a music journalist, graphic designer, podcaster, radio host, photographer, or videographer: basically any role in the music industry and live within 75 miles of Detroit — Then the Greater Detroit Music Census is for you. Hosted by the Detroit Music Collective, the census kicks off on February 3rd and runs until March 3rd. The census will shine a light on what works right and what could be better in our music ecosystem. Make your voice heard!
Our friends at Mitten Music not only chatted with the visual artists, but they spent some time with the band Carbon Decoy. Check it out!
Rural Innovation Exchange has a great story on restoration efforts for trail markers on the Old Indian Trail between Cadillac and Traverse City.
Last but not least, Geek Brush Studio in Chelsea is spearheading an effort with the city to turn the alley between 105 and 107 Main Street into the Chelsea Art Gallery. They are currently seeking artist submissions to display in this new outdoor art space. Submissions are due by April 1, 2026.
Life In Michigan Podcast
If you have experienced Hidden King in Ann Arbor, do it now (give me a call when you go too!). We can’t thank Mark enough for taking the time to chat with us about Hidden King.
Substack Restack Attack
Substack is where it’s at. Check out these other superb publications:
Great story and photographs from Tamara Luzzetti for Teo's Talks about travels in the Arctic region of Sweden.
If you are in the market for new heavy metal, you can go wrong checking out To The Teeth | New Heavy Music
Marty Slagter has a great interview with Greensky Bluegrass and what they are looking forward to after 25 years of playing.
Carl Schell talks with drummer Kito Bovenschulte about music and real estate over brunch in New Jersey.
Adventures Yet To Print
Things are perking up here at Life In Michigan. We’ve got a super fun adventure up to the U.P. in another week, which will surely provide food for thought and stories to share.
What Are You Reading?
Take a guess….yep, still plowing through The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist. I’ve got four more hours of listening to go. The arctic cold has kept us inside doing HIT and weight workouts, so my listening during walking time is minimal right now.
What Are You Spinning?
Lately, I’ve been spinning (in the digital sense) my advance copy of the new release from Annie & Rod Capps called Never Done. This is the band’s tenth album, and it radiates with honesty, wit, and wonder. Each track shimmers with a unique and introspective look at the moments that color and enrich our lives.
The primary movers in the band are Annie Capps (vocals/guitar) and Rod Capps (guitar, viola, vocals). Joining them on this recording adventure (and many times on stage) are Jason Dennie (mandolin, vocals), Ozzie Andrews (bass), and Michael Shimmin (drums, percussion). Special appearances include Drew Howard (pedal steel), Mike Lynch (piano, organ), and vocals from Annie Bacon, Jim Bizer, and Jan Krist.
When talking about the music on this album and Annie & Rod Capps in general, it is important to note that this is not your typical folk music. I’m not much of a folk music fan, as I find the usual offerings lack in musical diversity and flair. The music on Never Done retains the organic storytelling and thoughtful portraiture you find in folk and country music. Where this album excels is in the musical compositions. Fusing country, western, Romani jazz, and bluegrass, Annie & Rod Capps weave a tapestry of progressive Americana. The songs are exquisite snapshots featuring multicolored hues of melody, harmony, timbre, and rhythm.
On Never Done, you can frolic in breezy humor and honest reflections on songs such as “Stupid Things” and “Out of Mind.” Soak in the push and pull of opposites on “Splinter.” In a time marked by upheaval and daily crisis, take solace in the fact that others share your inner angst and turmoil with the song “Who Am I?”
The official release of Never Done by Annie & Rod Capps is in March. However, you can get your copy right now by purchasing via their pre-order link.
That’s A Wrap
As my buddy Sturgill once said:
“Keep your head out of the clouds
And remember to be kind
And just stay in school
Stay off the drugs
And keep between the lines.”
Thank you for reading. I hope your week is awesome! Don’t forget to kick out the jams!
Now, here is your moment of zen:
As a resident of Kalamazoo it's always shocking to me to see it mentioned anywhere (outside of a CCR song from time to time :), let alone on substack. Nice to know there is some Michigan folks bumping around on this platform!
Love the honesty here! That weird tension between putting creative work out there and then genuinely being surprised when folks engage with it is so relatable. I had a similar experince when someone randomly brought up something I wrote months ago - it's like wait, people are actually paying attention? The whole "creating because you want to, not for the attention" mentality feels healthier anyway, but yeah that shock when real humans connect with it never fully goes away.