Michigan Music Initiative

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Michigan Music Initiative

The Michigan Music initiative is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating Michigan's vibrant music scene and honoring its incredible talent.

09/03/2026

🎬 BEHIND THE SCENES AT MMI
The 2027 Michigan Music Awards nomination season opens October 1—and preparations are already underway.
We’re working behind the scenes to organize category information, review the submission process and prepare the materials needed to make nominations as clear and accessible as possible.
The awards ceremony may be the part everyone sees, but the process begins months earlier. Every nomination, submission and round of voting requires planning and organization before the first award ever reaches the stage.
We’re looking forward to celebrating another year of outstanding music created throughout Michigan.
Watch for complete nomination information as we get closer to October 1!

09/02/2026

Michigan’s music community is bigger than any one city, venue, or genre.
Membership in the Michigan Music Initiative connects you with artists, producers, engineers, venue professionals, promoters, and other industry members from across the state.
The next valuable relationship, collaboration, or opportunity may begin with a simple introduction. Become part of a growing statewide music community working to connect and support one another.
Learn more and become a member:
https://michiganmusicinitiative.com/membership-1

09/01/2026

🎹 THIS DAY IN MICHIGAN MUSIC HISTORY 🎹
On September 1, 1933, jazz pianist Gene Harris was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Known for blending jazz with blues, gospel and soul, Harris rose to prominence as a member of the influential trio The Three Sounds. The group recorded extensively for Blue Note Records and helped shape the soulful jazz sound of the late 1950s and 1960s.
Harris later performed and recorded with an incredible list of artists that included Ray Brown, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls and B.B. King.
Gene Harris brought warmth, energy and unmistakable soul to every performance. His story is also an important reminder that Michigan’s musical legacy reaches far beyond Detroit and includes talented artists from communities throughout our state.

08/31/2026

🎶 MMI ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: DAN TILLERY 🎶
Waterford singer-songwriter Dan Tillery creates music with a purpose: to encourage others, inspire change and remind listeners that they are not alone.
Dan’s distinctive sound brings together elements of pop, country, rock, reggae, rap and soul. Whether he is performing for an intimate crowd or sharing an original song, his uplifting energy and honest storytelling remain at the center of everything he does.
That honesty is especially evident throughout his 25-song album, “SHEDDING SKIN.” The deeply personal project explores growth, addiction, recovery, faith and the process of letting go of what no longer serves us. The album earned Dan the 2026 Michigan Music Award for Pop Album of the Year.
Dan has been open about his own experiences with drug and alcohol addiction, using his music to connect with people facing similar struggles. His song “My Old Friend” examines the powerful grip addiction can have, and its recently released official music video gives the message even greater emotional impact.
His newest single, “FIGHT, WORSHIP, PRAISE,” was released on April 17. Dan has described it as his best song to date—a powerful declaration of faith, perseverance and gratitude from someone who has fought through difficult seasons and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose.
Dan’s story is one of transformation, but it is also a story that continues to be written. He remains active in the studio, consistently creating music intended to bring hope, positivity and connection into the lives of others.
Please join the Michigan Music Initiative in celebrating Dan Tillery—a Michigan artist who is unafraid to be vulnerable, cross musical boundaries and turn his experiences into songs that may help someone else keep moving forward.
🎧 Listen to “FIGHT, WORSHIP, PRAISE”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeQkae6eTMk
Follow Dan and explore more of his music:
https://www.dantillery.com/

Photo: from Facebook

08/28/2026

🎶 MMI WEEKEND MUSIC GUIDE 🎶
August 28–30
Michigan stages are busy this weekend! Here are a few opportunities to support Michigan artists, local music events and live performances across the state.
🌟 MICHIGAN ARTIST PICKS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
🎤 Miranda & the M80s — The Commons Live Music Series, Downtown Midland | 7–9 p.m. | Free
🎤 Detroit-born artist Toni Romiti — The Stache at The Intersection, Grand Rapids
🎸 The Romantics with Toto and Christopher Cross — Acrisure Amphitheater, Grand Rapids | 6:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
🔥 Party at the Pavilion — Stratford Woods Park, Midland | 4–10 p.m.
Featuring Flint’s Jon Connor, Twin Terror Music, Kaylo, Balzer, Codeine 505, G Rockwell, Thyrd Eye Trybe, Tragik, RedFace Movement, J-Dro and more. This family-friendly event benefits the Humane Society of Midland County.
🎤 Todd Michael & Johnny Guest Band — The Commons Live Music Series, Downtown Midland | 7–9 p.m. | Free
🎸 The Romantics with Toto and Christopher Cross — Pine K**b Music Theatre | 6:45 p.m.
🎟️ MORE SHOWS AROUND MICHIGAN
FRIDAY
• Tim McGraw with 49 Wi******er — Pine K**b Music Theatre
• The Fray with Dashboard Confessional and Colony House — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
SATURDAY
• Ed Sheeran — Ford Field, Detroit
• Tim McGraw with 49 Wi******er — Acrisure Amphitheater, Grand Rapids
• The Rock Orchestra: Arena of Fire — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
SUNDAY
• NEEDTOBREATHE with Drew & Ellie Holcomb — Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Are you an MMI member, MMA nominee, winner, performer or past Spotlight artist playing this weekend? Add your show in the comments and let Michigan know where to find you!
Always confirm event times, admission requirements and ticket availability with the artist or venue before attending.

08/27/2026

🎬 BEHIND THE SCENES AT MMI
A successful music-industry mixer requires more than reserving a room and choosing a date.
Behind the scenes, we’re working on the flow, programming and details for our November 10 mixer. Our goal is to create an environment where Michigan artists, venues, producers, studios, media professionals and other members of the music community can make meaningful connections.
We don’t want this to be just another networking event. We want people to leave with a new contact, a new idea or even a new opportunity.
There is still plenty of work ahead, but we’re excited about what this event can become. More details will be announced soon!
What helps you get the most value from a music-industry mixer?

08/26/2026

Michigan music is powered by more than the artists onstage.
Producers, engineers, venue professionals, promoters, managers, DJs, photographers, educators, songwriters, and many others all contribute to the strength of our music industry.
MMI membership brings Michigan’s music professionals together as one statewide community. Whatever role you play, there is a place for your experience, perspective, and talent.
If you are actively working in Michigan music, we invite you to join us.
Become an MMI member:
https://michiganmusicinitiative.com/membership-1

08/25/2026

🎶 THIS DAY IN MICHIGAN MUSIC HISTORY 🎶
On August 25, 1975, musician and producer Karriem Riggins was born in Detroit.
Riggins has built an extraordinary career at the intersection of jazz and hip-hop. After moving to New York at 19, he joined legendary jazz vocalist Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead ensemble. He would go on to perform with artists including Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall and many others.
As a producer, Riggins has contributed to music by Common, Slum Village, The Roots, Erykah Badu and more, helping connect Detroit’s jazz tradition with the city’s influential hip-hop sound.
His career is another reminder that Michigan music has never been confined to one genre.
Happy birthday to Detroit’s own Karriem Riggins!

08/24/2026

🎚️ MMI SPOTLIGHT: CARL MONFORTE 🎚️
The artists may command the stage, but behind every unforgettable performance is someone making sure the music reaches the audience exactly as it should. For nearly five decades, sound engineer Carl Monforte has been one of those people.
Carl graduated from the Recording Institute of America in 1978 and began as an assistant engineer, contributing to projects involving George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, The Spinners and Detroit band Adrenalin.
He soon moved into live sound, cutting his teeth at the Red Carpet Lounge with Michigan acts including The Romantics, The Rockets, Rhythm Corps, Toby Redd, The Mutants and The Reputations. He later worked at Saint Andrew’s Hall, mixing touring bands throughout the 1980s.
His reputation led Rhythm Corps to hire him as its exclusive front-of-house engineer. Carl toured with the band and alongside artists such as Pat Benatar and REO Speedwagon.
Carl then spent 40 years with Thunder Audio as a front-of-house engineer. His career included shows with Prince, The Four Tops, The Temptations, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, and many others. He worked at major Michigan venues including the Fox Theatre, Joe Louis Arena, Comerica Park and the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. He also mixed two performances at Woodstock ’99, including P-Funk’s legendary set.
Carl later oversaw production at the Royal Oak Music Theatre for eight years and worked with Fifty Amp Fuse and Your Generation in Concert.
Even in retirement, he continues supporting Michigan music through his longtime collaboration with songwriter Brad Stuart. Carl contributed engineering work to Brad’s album “33 Turns & a Needle,” and Brad has credited him as someone who believed in those songs from the beginning.
Across 48 years in the industry—46 spent touring or producing live shows—Carl has helped shape how generations experienced music.
Please join MMI in recognizing Carl for his extraordinary career and contribution to Michigan music!
🎥 Watch the Woodstock ’99 performance Carl mixed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8-C_hcS0ek

Photo: from Facebook

Address

20 E Front St
Lake Orion, MI
48362

Website

http://MichiganMusicInitiative.com/

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