PODCAST · arts
Acoustic Alternatives
by John Bommarito
Acoustic performances and interviews with musicians from the Michigan music scene and beyond.
Episodes
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Acoustic Alternatives with Chris Collingwood and John Bommarito
Here's a session recorded on Oct 16, 2026 at Robin Hill Farm for the CDL Songfest. I was asked to do the interview for this planned performance. I thought it was worth an ask to see if Chris would let me record it for the podcast. He said yes, but that wasn't relayed to the gentlemen running…
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Acoustic Alternatives with The Minor Pieces and John Bommarito
Markus Hartnett, Mike Francis, Brian Williams, Charlie Reischl & Tony Pace are the SE Michigan Americana band The Minor Pieces. A listen to this flawed audio (the source mix was great, the feed to my recording device not so much and me forgetting to turn off the reverb on the first section of...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Katie Greene and John Bommarito
Katie Greene, formerly known as Katie Pederson, impressed me the first time I saw her play an outdoor open mic at the Ann Arbor Art Fair many years ago. I knew I was seeing a special talent and I am so happy that success is finding its way to her. Her trio, The Rebel Eves, is making head way into...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Kelsey. and John Bommarito
Kelsey. is the new moniker for an Ann Arbor based singer who has changed her style (and persona) since the release of her debut recordings as Ceolsige in 2022. Love Hard is an ambitious new 16 track release that explores the many sides of Kelsey. A little pop and a lot more rock in a style she...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Ani Mari and John Bommarito
Another talent from the vast Michigan music scene made their way to Grove Studios for Acoustic Alternatives. Ani Mari is originally from Marquette (and, as we learn, may return to live there some day), but migrated to Ann Arbor to go to the University of Michigan. She got attention at the age of…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Julianne Ankley and John Bommarito at Sound Space Detroit
The gifted artist Julianne Ankley joins me for a second visit on the podcast, this time with the generous help of Ryan Anderson from Sound Space Detroit for which I am very grateful for. Julianne is really hitting a creative stride in her career. After being in a band (Redhill) that garnered...
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Acoustic Alternatives with John Richard Paul and John Bommarito
The main reason for the podcast is music discovery for you, my listener. When I hear someone I think needs a larger audience I make it a point to get them on the podcast and to your ears. It took about 3 years from the first time I heard his voice for me to get it to your ears, but I think you'll...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Sammie Hershock and John Bommarito
Marshall, MI's Sammie Hershock is off to good start in her young recording career. Already an award winner and already lucky enough to work with some of Michigan's finest fellow musicians, Sammie is putting out her second full length record in the fall of 2026. Acoustic Alternatives was lucky...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Cabaret Boreale and John Bommarito
Come on a journey with me to another era and another place. Cabaret Boreale aren't from these times, though the band's members, Katie Lynne, Don Reinholm, Phil LaDouceur and Andrew Brown certainly are. Katie, Don and Phil formed this ensemble around the time Andrew Brown was earning…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Dave & Kristi and John Bommarito (2026)
Dave Boutette and Kristi Lynn Davis, now known as Dave & Kristi, make a return visit to the podcast WITHOUT MASKS more than 5 1/2 years since their last visit. Songs from their newest album The Chickadees performed this time. Songs written by Dave Boutette with help from Kristi Davis All Are...
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Acoustic Alternatives with John Gorka and John Bommarito
He released his first album back in 1987, was signed to Windham Hill family of labels for a handful of releases, but has put out the bulk of his recordings on the great label Red House Records. People who have been guests on his releases include Shawn Colvin, Nanci Griffith, Ani DiFranco, Lucy...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Ryan Racine and John Bommarito
Northville, MI's Ryan Racine has 30 years of playing in bands behind him and all the skills to get the attention of fans of Alt Country/Americana ahead of him. When I hear his new record, Valhalla Afternoon, and think about how I felt about 2018's Outsider's Heart when it came out, I realize I…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Lauren Blackford and John Bommarito
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…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Kate Peterson and John Bommarito
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...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Joshua Davis and John Bommarito #100
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...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Rochelle Clark & Jason Dennie and John Bommarito
Ypsilanti, MI residents Rochelle Clark and Jason Dennie didn't have to go far to get to Grove Studios (7 minutes apparently), but their music will take you on journey somewhere south of there. Both have been making music for quite a long time. They originally met when Rochelle was taking guitar...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Tony Lucca and John Bommarito
This one was a long time in the making. I'd been checking in with Tony Lucca on the occasions he would come back to his home state of Michigan for a show to see if he was available to join me for a chat. Two previous in studio sessions in Ann Arbor in 2010 and 2016 established a mutual respect…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Jackamo (2026) and John Bommarito
Detroit/Hamtramck, Michigan's Jackamo has been drawing comparisons to some of the best indie folk groups around since they began their journey many years ago. Sisters Alison and Tessa Weircioch handle the vocals and the talented Jimmy Showers does the guitar work. Together it is a rich…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Keynote Sisters and John Bommarito
Phoebe and Jacyln are talented sisters originally from Lake Orion, MI who've been making music together for over a decade. Their peers in the local music scene, including Jill Jack, have been helping to lift them up as they've continued to find their path and hone their craft over the years.…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Billy King and John Bommarito
Brooklyn based – Brooklyn MI that is – singer songwriter, contributor to the feeding of hungry people who prioritize organic produce, multi-instrumentalist, and all around good guy, Billy King joins me at Grove Studios for a chat about his new record, Chill. Learn a bit about the difference…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Olivia Van Goor, Reuben Stump and John Bommarito
I've been working at one of the premiere jazz stations in the country since the summer of 2022. In the spring of 2024 I was given a twice a week two hour radio program called The Song Break to program. I brought my existing knowledge of The Great American Songbook and the classic vocalists who…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Jen Sygit and John Bommarito
Can you dig it? I got to visit with Jen Sygit. A large reason I do this podcast is to shine the spotlight on artists I think deserve more attention than they are getting. All three of Jen's most recent releases were in my top 5 albums of the year they were released. She's had some wonderful...
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Acoustic Alternatives with David Wilcox and John Bommarito
David's first album, The Nightshift Watchman, came out independently in 1987. In 1989 he made his major label debut on A&M Records with How Did You Find Me Here, which included modern folk classics that he still plays in his sets 35+ years later ("Eye of the Hurricane" & "Rusty Old American...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Kora Feder and John Bommarito
Kora Feder is a well traveled singer songwriter with music in her blood now calling Detroit home. It was a chance meeting that brought me to her music and one song in particular that destroyed my heart in the way only songs can do. There are a few other interview with Kora out there and some of...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Joe Goodkin and John Bommarito
Chicago area songwriter Joe Goodkin has, at the time of this posting, 14 records to his credit - some solo, some with his band Paper Arrows. Two of his projects are ambitious retellings of Homer's The Odyssey and The Illiad and he has toured these records in every state in the US and abroad as...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Myron Elkins and John Bommarito
Myron Elkins is from the small town Otsego, MI(About 17 miles north west of Kalamazoo). His friends from school probably didn't see him as the guy who would one day play shows with Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Marcus King and Kaleo, and have his second release produced by one of the most in…
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Acoustic Alternatives with May Erlewine and Packy Lundholm and John Bommarito
One of most prolific, gifted, kind hearted, and gentle people you'll ever meet - oh and she has an angelic voice, May Erlewine joined me at Grove Studios to talk about her career and newest album 'What It Takes.' I've been wanting to put her in the spotlight pretty much since I started doing the...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Abigail Stauffer and John Bommarito
15 years after her debut EP, Ann Arbor, MI area musician Abigail Stauffer has finally released her 4th full length record. Delayed by a pandemic and the distance her collaborator Dave Haughey (aka Dave the Cellist), the newest release doesn't fit neatly into a musical category, but rather is an...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Hayley Reardon and John Bommarito
Boston area singer/songwriter/storyteller/delightful human Hayley Reardon joined me for a conversation in Grove Studios on April 23, 2025. She's been on my radar for over a decade, but this was our first chance to meet and talk. Songs written by Hayley Reardon: Enough Is Everything Good News Bone...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Fox & Bones and John Bommarito
Portland, OR based duo Fox & Bones joined me and gave me a peek into their world. They also played a couple new songs (including one, as of the time of publishing this, unreleased). Meet Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort on this episode of Acoustic Alternatives. Songs written by Scott Gilmore and...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Noah Guthrie and John Bommarito
It's been a decade since I last visited with this gifted vocalist. He's certainly had some great experiences since we last spoke. His voice and songwriting have only gotten better. Let me introduce you to, if you don't already know him, Greer , South Carolina's Noah Guthrie. Including…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Kyle Joe and John Bommarito
Kyle Joe has previously visited the podcast under the name Kyle Rasche of Chain of Lakes Kyle has been through some life changes and a name change since the last visit to Grove Studios. Learn more about what he's been up to and hear some music from his new release Take It Easy including the...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Brian Vander Ark and John Bommarito (2025 Visit)
Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe made his second visit to Grove Studios on 2-16-25. A new Verve Pipe album is ready for release and a lot has happened in his life since we last visited in October of 2021. One of my favorite songwriters has done it again with another collection of songs that...
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Acoustic Alternatives with David Howley and John Bommarito
I really enjoyed this conversation and was really disappointed with myself for not double checking both of my audio recording sources. The first 4 minutes of audio you hear are being captured from the microphone on my laptop as opposed to the direct source I expected to use. The backup audio from...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Mindy Smith and John Bommarito
This singer songwriter originally from Long Island, NY first got attention with her cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Dolly herself appeared in the video and performed the song on television with her a few times. Her debut single "Come To Jesus" is a beauty of a song and a 10 on the John…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Kanin Wren and John Bommarito
Another emerging artist from the rich Michigan music scene is my guest on this episode of Acoustic Alternatives. 18 year old Kanin Wren has already captivated large audiences as a tribute artist. Now she's ready to start releasing more of her original music. It's good. It's really good. Meet…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Steven Page and John Bommarito
Steven Page is not just another great guest to me. He sings on one of my top 15 albums of all time, Gordon. He's a multiple Juno award winner and Grammy nominee with his former band Barenaked Ladies. As part of that group he's sold over 15 million albums and singles and is in the Canadian Music...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Jen Cass of The Lucky Nows and John Bommarito
Jen Cass grew up in the Metro Detroit area and now calls Flushing, MI home. After three successful solo albums, she started a new project with her husband Eric Janetsky called The Lucky Nows. Their excellent second album is due out in June of 2024. Jen talks about her life and plays three...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Dan Navarro and John Bommarito
It's been a long and varied journey for Dan Navarro. From co-writing one of the biggest hits of the 80s, to voice acting, to touring and releasing a plethora of material as part of Lowen and Navarro. If you only know his music, get ready to learn more about some of the other things he's been part...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Jo Serrapere (#2) and John Bommarito
Dearborn, MI's Jo Serrapere's first visit to the podcast happened as part of a live show at Trinity House in Livonia, MI in April of 2022. I encourage you to go back and listen to that one to learn more about this Michigan treasure. Jo is ambitiously releasing two albums at once this Spring and…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Kyran Daniel and John Bommarito
Here is the audio only visit with Australian born guitarist extraordinaire, Kyran Daniel. You may want to watch the video too in order to enjoy his guitar playing with your eyes. Tommy Emmanuel thought he was good enough to take him on tour when Kyran was just a teenager, so you know you are...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Mike Vial and John Bommarito
Mike Vial is an Ann Arbor based singer/songwriter, teacher, father, and husband who is doing a 20 year celebration of playing gigs, teaching books, and ranting rants at The Ark in Ann Abor on May 23, 2024, opening for a mutual favorite (and previous podcast guest), Ari Hest. Vial is prepping a…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Peter Madcat Ruth and John Bommarito
Harmonica legend, Grammy winner, blues, folk, world music and rock musician not to mention all around beloved member of the Ann Arbor music scene, Peter Madcat Ruth joins me to celebrate 3/4 of a century of life and a life mostly spent playing music. His 75th birthday celebration takes place at…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Will Kimbrough and John Bommarito
Will Kimbrough plays rock, stripped down folk, Americana, and Country. He is an in demand guitar player, producer and songwriter. Oh and an author working on a book of the stories of his life. You'll hear tales of his adventures and collaborations with Jimmy Buffet, Emmylou Harris, Rodney…
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Acoustic Alternatives with The Rebel Eves and John Bommarito
Back in 2016 I discovered a young singer by the name of Katie Pederson. By 2018 I was pretty invested in singing her praises while she continued to put out great music on albums like The Landing and Limitless. On our last visit in a studio together on the Acoustic Alternatives podcast, you may…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Adam Plomaritas and John Bommarito
I've been waiting years to present this episode. It's been ten years in between releases for Yspilanti, MI's, Adam Plomaritas. As soon as I started doing this podcast I told him "I want to do something when that next release is ready" It's been worth the wait. The EP, Old Time Love, is A+...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Judy Banker and John Bommarito
Raised in Manitowoc, WI, but now calling Ann Arbor, MI home, Judy Banker is set to release her fourth record, Bonafide, on November the 4th. Filled with deeply personal lyrics and backed by a great band, this new release, produced by her son Ben, is her best yet in my opinion. Learn more about…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Jeff and Ben Daniels and John Bommarito
Jeff Daniels has done many things on screens and stages in his career. One of the things he has done that hasn't gotten as much attention as his roles in The Newsroom, To Kill a Mockingbird or Dumb and Dumber is playing music on stages and studios. He's been putting out albums since 2004 and, on...
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Acoustic Alternatives with Goldpine and John Bommarito
Goldpine is a Nashville based duo who I first heard this year at a festival. It was a cold day in June, but they performed their hearts out. Once you hear Kassie's voice, you'll instantly hear what brings me in. It's hers, but it's familiar. The songs are strong and the stories are really good.…
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Acoustic Alternatives with Ordinary Elephant and John Bommarito
A extraordinary duo from the south comes north for the Acoustic Alternatives Podcast to preview songs from their forthcoming album and talk about their lives and career. Pete and Crystal Demore are Ordinary Elephant. Crowded around two condenser microphones at 9 p.m. at night is nothing new from...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Acoustic performances and interviews with musicians from the Michigan music scene and beyond.
HOSTED BY
John Bommarito
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Acoustic Alternatives have?
Acoustic Alternatives currently has 113 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Acoustic Alternatives about?
Acoustic performances and interviews with musicians from the Michigan music scene and beyond.
How often does Acoustic Alternatives release new episodes?
Acoustic Alternatives publishes regularly with 113 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Acoustic Alternatives?
You can listen to Acoustic Alternatives on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Acoustic Alternatives?
Acoustic Alternatives is created and hosted by John Bommarito.
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