STUDIO NEWS 2025-2026

 

Greetings, Music Soldiers!

 

Hope this finds you all staying creative.  Here’s what’s been happening at Mackinaw Harvest over the past year or so.

 

October 16, 2026 marked the date for Standing Together 2026…. a multi-artist concert to benefit Mel Trotter Mission and their programs that combat homelessness in West Michigan.  Standing Together was started by Michael Crittenden and Phil Biggs way back in 2003 as a way to bring together area musicians with local business leaders to raise money and awareness for charities in our area.  This year, the show happened at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center and featured ST alumni, Andy Holtgreive of Domestic Problems, Chris Andrus, Michelle Chenard, Cary Cooper, Josh Rose, Ralston Bowles, Ed Dupas, Christine Mattson, Phil Biggs, and Troll for Trout as the backing band for each artist.  We raised over $85,000 for the charity!

​

Just prior to the Standing Together show, I finished up work on Phil Biggs new record called "Under the Autumn Sky"  10 tracks of which I co-wrote 6.  Very proud of this record!  Most of it lands somewhere in the "Yacht Rock" catagory!  Currently working on getting it up on streaming services, but it's also available on a limited run of CDs and vinyl.  Let me know if you'd like a copy and I can make arrangements to make that happen.  

​

I had a nice studio visit from the uber-talented songstress, Cary Cooper, in October when we started preproduction on her next record.  The current challenge:  She played me 31 new songs!  Hmmmm...difficult to pick 12 or so cuz they're all good!  The album has the theme of "grief" and grieving threaded throughout.  A very healing vibe to it.  I look forward to working on this one over the next several months. In the meantime, check out Zuz's Petals that we did back in 2012 here: 

https://open.spotify.com/album/1BZ5lOBpyC6goE2olyNFMu?autoplay=true

​​

Charlie Walmsley was back in the studio this summer working on demos of new pitch songs.  He brought along a great band comprised himself on piano, Mark Schrock on guitars and mando, Andrew Schrock on bass and drummer Mike Shimmin.  I recorded Sierra Cassidy on lead vocals remotely up in Lake Leelanau at my pal Chip's place and we mixed those sweet tracks back in at MHS.  Always a pleasure working with Charlie!

 

In August, we were honored to host Billy Strings live on the popular podcast "This Past Weekend" with Theo Von.  Theo's crew came in a day early to scout the place and get a start on setting up.  A great couple of days with some really heartfelt conversation.  Billy also debuted several tunes from his new record including my fave, "I'm One Of Those".  Oh, and Bear (Billy's doodle dog) was very sweet and cuddled up on the floor between Theo and Billy for most of the 2 hr. 54-minute program.  Looks like we got 857k+ views on You Tube so far! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UayVMQ9E8sA

 

Back in February, I was asked to produce at live benefit concert for Guiding Light Mission.  They provide tried & true programs to help people struggling with addiction get back on their feet.  This was the 2nd Annual Guiding Light Live concert held at St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids.  This time around, we opened the show with 3 songwriters, Ralston Bowles, Louise Coombe and myself performing in-the-round.  Following us was our headliner, Glen Phillips, the voice and songwriter of the band Toad the Wet Sprocket.  A great event and a lot of fun hanging with Glen again.  Lousie and her husband Cliff Eberhardt stayed with me at the studio after.  Nice to catch up with them!

 

AND UPDATE NEWS: Guiding Live Live is happening again on Sat. Feb 27, 2027 at St. C.  This year will be and afternoon with legendary jazz artist Bob James!  Tickets will be available soon at https://guidinglightworks.org/live

 

Since January, I've been working every month on a full-length record with singer/songwriter/guitarist Rob Wilbur from Nunica, MI.  Rob is a solid guitar player with a very unique voice.  His songwriting comes from the truth, right from the heart.  The record features performances by guitarist Greg Miller, pedal steel player Drew Howard, drums by Scott Stefanski, Brian Morrill, and Doug Frasure, and Sierra Cassidy on backing vocals.  I got to play bass, piano and B3 🙂   We'll have it wrapped up by December and look for an early 2027 release.

 

Another record I started in January was with Christine Mattson from Muskegon.  This was her second full-length record but our first time working together.  It was a true pleasure painting musical textures to support her thoughtful lyrics.   Lot's of different guitars, piano and B3 with a few pads too.  One of my fave projects as of late.  We finished up over the early summer and it's out now!  Check it out here:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0oChS6mQSAxRHDpKBmsG89

 

And I finally finished the debut record from new artist NDN Summer (Kaleb Shannon).  Kaleb has a raw sense of writing and performing that gets under your skin immediately upon listening!  He's from Sault Saint Marie, MI and you can hear the "up north" influence in the sonic color and fabric of his honest songs.  His energy is infectious! The record has not yet been released, but I'll be sure to add a link once it's out.  Definitely worth a listen or several!

 

Have you heard AnnMarie Boyle's EP from 2025?  That one turned our super cool in an early 80s kind of way.  Kind of reminds me of Kate Bush or Cockteau Twins.  We had the brilliant rhythm section of Jeff Moehle(drums) and John Connors (bass) to help send it over the finish line.  Check it out here:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdQkvOrupe8&list=OLAK5uy_mfbQclD23zwlgJlo5T8aOIIvhAJyNF5Ps

 

Lot's of other cool projects have been here over the past 18 mos. including Edison Kitt & The Strangers, Ralston Bowles, Whiskey Hunter, Genna & Jesse, Brenden Stark, Megan Ammon, Harry Dean and the Dusty Boys, Chloe Burkill, Samantha Goodell, Bruce Ling & Aspen Jacobsen, & Kevin Spaans. (and probably a few more I've regretfully failed to mention!)

 

Hip hop/rap producer extraordinaire James “Nazz” Grey continues to crank the hits out of Studio B.  Give James a shout to book sessions with the master!  NAzzTheHitMaker@gmail.com

 

OK, well that’s quite enough for now!  Please let us know how we can help you reach your goals and help you make your dreams happen!  Feel free to call us at 616.901.5982 or drop a note from the contact page here on the site.  talk soon!

Rock On,

Colonel