Musical Instrument & Gear Merchants
Harp Depot was founded on January 3, 1996, by John and Melissa Hall. John's love for the harmonica started when he saw some Marine Bands in his grandpa's suitcase back in 1969. His grandpa gave him one, and a music-loving family made it easy to stick with the instrument, allowing him to play it at church and family reunions. In 1975 "Johnny", as his family calls him, won 2nd place in a talent contest by playing Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" on his Blues Harp! When he walked by the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis on a summer's evening in 1990, and heard a harmonica player named Paul Orta wailing the blues, it was love at first "sound"! Since then he's had an ever-growing love for the blues that has fueled his enthusiasm for the harmonica business, and led him to found the "Bean Blossom Blues Fest". He's also the harmonica player for a rock and blues band called Blackjack Davey.
Harmonicas & Stuff is a unique new shopping experience. We have a wide variety of products from which to choose from for the everyday harmonica afficionado to the casual enthusiast. But it doesn’t stop there. We have toys, accessories, and other things we know you'll find useful.
Located in Lansing, MI, Elderly Instruments stocks new and vintage instruments, gear, recordings, books, videos and more! Visit the store, order by mail or order from the web.
Organized in 2002, the Tawas Bay Blues Society (TBBS) is a non-profit, tax-exempt, all volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion, awareness and preservation of Blues music and it's culture.
Saginaw Bay Area Blues Society
Jackson Area Blues Society
Mid/North Michigan Blues Society
The Detroit Blues Heritage Series was created to bring attention to the art form of Blues music in Detroit as it existed in the 20th century and it's relationship to how it exists today. We are now in our 7th year of presenting the finest Blues Detroit has to offer. Find information on past and upcoming events on the website.
Local Radio Stations
Grand Rapids
WGVU - FM 88.5 - NPR - plays a mix of blues and jazz in the evenings.
Friday - 9:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - "Traveling Blues Show"
Friday - 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. - "Friday Night Blues"
Saturday - 2:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. - "Blues Mix Until Six"
Saturday - 7:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m. - "Saturday Night Blues"
WYCE - FM 88.1, community radio - plays a mix of folk, blues, jazz, rock, and world beat music. They also broadcast online.
Kalamazoo
WRKR plays a mix of blues and rock. They have an extensive Blues site as befits the sponsor of the Budwiser Blues Series in Kalamazoo. You can listen to their extensive blues archive with the Real Audio G2 player.
Lansing
WLNZ - FM 89.7 - Lansing Community College
Sunday - midnight - 1:00 a.m. - "Blue Light Special"
Sunday - 1:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. - "Blues Before Sunrise"
Mon-Thu - 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. - "Blues Beat"
Friday - 10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. - "Beale St. Caravan"
Friday - 11:00 p.m. - midnight - "Blues Light Special"
Friday - midnight - 2:00 a.m. - "Blues Beat"
Impact 89 - FM 88.9 - Michigan State University
Wednesday - midnight - 6:00 a.m. - "Accidental Blues"
State-wide
The Juke Joint can be heard each Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on
WCMU Public Radio
89.5 Mt. Pleasant
90.1 Bay City
91.7 Alpena
95.7 Oscoda
96.9 Standish
98.3 Sault St. Marie
103.9 Harbor Springs
Photography
WMBS member and newsletter editor Tim Richards has photographed most of the blues artists who have performed in the Grand Rapids area and far beyond. His web site contains quite a selection of these - some autographed - for sale at reasonable prices.
Other Area Music Societies and Associations
The Grand River Folk Arts Society is a combination of both music and dance, performers and audience, dedicated to the preservation of the American folk music and dance. They cover a wide variety of styles including bluegrass and blues roots.
In March 1986 the West Michigan Jazz Society was organized with a goal to promote, preserve and perpetuate live jazz. The Society promotes numerous events throughout the year and supports events presented by other arts organizations, schools and colleges in the West Michigan area. The membership, which has grown from 10 founding members to over 400, will celebrate its 18th anniversary in March 2004.
Visitor Information
If you're planning to visit the Grand Rapids area, check out the Grand Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Michigan Regional Directory contains links to just about everything in Michigan.
