The 9th annual Ypsi Songfest kicks off this Saturday morning at the Whittaker Road library with an all-ages performance by Frank Allison… a fellow who, back in the day, pretty much shared ownership of the Ann Arbor music scene with John Brannon. Or at least that’s how I remember things back around 1990, when I was still relatively new to Michigan. I remember Brannon and the Laughing Hyenas kind of owning the darker side of the Ann Arbor scene, and Frank Allison and the Odd Sox on the other side, pulling the same kinds of crowds with their decidedly happier and less threatening brand of rock. While my temperament probably drove me more into the Hyenas’ camp, I saw the Odd Sox play quite a bit. And, while I don’t recall ever joining in on the choreographed dances made up by Allison’s fans, I’m sure I sang along enthusiastically with his local hits like, Cash for My Car. And, on this Saturday’s show, we’ll have Frank in the studio to reminisce about the old times, tell us what he’s been up to recently at the Clinton Theater, and perhaps play a few songs. [I’ve also been asked to talk with him about his fascination with insect photography.]
And, no promises, but I suppose it could also come to pass that Marshall Crenshaw may drop in and say hello, seeing as how he’s going to be playing an acoustic set a few doors down at Bona Sera later that evening as part of Songfest. [If he does pop by, I’ll be sure to ask him about his portrayal of “Lightning” Mel Ratner on The Adventures of Pete & Pete
And, at some point in the evening, we’ll be joined by University of Michigan Professor Emeritus Dr. Willis Patterson, who, if things go our way, will be accompanied by local opera singer Kira Monae Turner. [Turner will be performing on October 4 with Dr. Patterson’s Our Own Thing Chorale at Ypsilanti’s Community Church of God.]
And, here, thanks to AM 1700 graphic designer Kate de Fuccio, is this week’s poster, in case any of you want to print copies and leave them laying in stacks around Ann Arbor.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NEVER TUNED IN TO THE SIX PACK BEFORE, HERE ARE THE DETAILS ON HOW TO LISTEN:
Unless you live inside the AM 1700 studio, chances are you won’t be able to pick the show up on your radio. As that’s the case, I’d recommend streaming the show online, which you can do either on the AM1700 website or by way of TuneIn.com.
And for those of you who aren’t yet familiar with the show, and need to get caught up, you can listen to the entire archive on iTunes.
One last thing… If you’d like to tell your friends and neighbors about the program, feel free to share the Facebook event listing.
And do call us if you have a chance. We love phone calls. So please scratch this number into the cinder block wall of the recreation room of whichever facility you’ve been assigned to… 734.217.8624… and call us between 6:00 and 8:00 this Saturday evening. The show is nothing without you. And I mean that.