Milan, MI's Lauren Blackford came to my attention as an opening act for my friend and recent guest on the podcast, Rochelle Clark at her show at The Ark. I brought Lauren on stage that night, embarrassingly briefly saying her name wrong in the process. After hearing just a few songs from the stage, I knew that I was witnessing something special. The "IT" factor was there and I immediately invited her to be a guest on the podcast backstage after her performance.

Songs written by Lauren Blackford:

A Good Thing

Wasted Potential

Dead Body Baby

One Too Many Times

Find Lauren on the web at: https://laurenblackford.us/

Find more Acoustic Alternatives episodes at: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Please support Grove Studios (which Lauren already likes): https://grovestudios.space/

I first encountered Kate Peterson as half of the duo Nervous But Excited. With the band's unknown status (hiatus? vacation? definitely not broken up) I took the opportunity to visit with Kate about her upcoming Michigan performances and chat about her life and get her to sing a couple of songs. I don't think she was too nervous, but perhaps a little excited.

For reference, Nervous But Excited recordings included guest appearances from Theo Katzman, Frontier Ruckus, Chris Bathgate, Mike Lynch, Erin Zindle, Drew Howard, and many others.

All songs written by Kate Peterson except where noted

Roots

Said and Done

Ain't No Sunshine (Bill Withers)

Blank Pages.

Find out more about Kate: https://www.katepeterson.com/

Find 100 other Acoustic Alternatives episodes: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Book Grove Studios for your needs: https://grovestudios.space/

Welcome to podcast episode #100.

I've never met anyone who has met Joshua Davis that has had anything bad so say about him.

He's had a pretty special career since releasing his first record with the band Steppin' In It 25 years ago. A beloved member of the Michigan music community and a one time Top 3 contestant on The Voice, Josh has shifted to playing out less and making his living closer to his home in the Traverse City area.

I've tried to catch him on a few of his recent visits to Southeast Michigan, but this time it fell together quickly. We realized timing worked and 16 hours after I booked the studio, with little preparation time, we met at Grove Studios. Problem is, neither one of us had enough time to wake up for this 8:00 a.m. session and I forgot to his record on the cameras. I did spend a fair amount of time setting them up at a good angle and this one was going to turn out great. I guess we'll never know.

Songs written by Joshua Davis:

Paper Boats

Congratulations and Condolences

99 Names

Joshua Davis' website: https://joshuadavismusic.com/

Acoustic Alternatives' website: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Grove Studios website: https://grovestudios.space/