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 national attention and putting out some solo material since 2009, things really seem to be going in the right direction. Her latest single, Polar Train, reached far and wide and the new single performed in this session sounds poised for further success.

It was a pleasure to have the chance to chat with her again. Enjoy!

Songs written by Julianne Ankley

What Makes You Dance

Polar Train

Cheap Thrills

More about Julianne: https://www.julianneankley.com/

and her beautiful art: https://www.julianneankleyart.com/

Find over a hundred other episodes of Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

None of this would have ever happened without Grove Studios getting the ball rolling: https://grovestudios.space/

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 find it worth the wait.

Songs written by John Richard Paul:

Untitled New Song

In Return

Existentialist Blues

There and Back Again

More about John at :https://johnrichardpaul.com/home

More about Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

More about Grove Studios: https://grovestudios.space/

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 enough to get a preview of 4 of the songs to be included on this next record. We also might have learned a secret about the CD release party.

Songs written by Sammie Hershock:

Graveyard Trees

Sensitivity

Gold Star

Dragon Song

Find Sammie on the web: https://www.sammiehershock.com/

Find 100+ other visits on Acoustic Alternatives here: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Grove Studios is the only way it happens. Check them out: https://grovestudios.space/

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 acknowledgment for his project Djangophonique (another act that leans heavily into another era). If you're just listening to Cabaret Boreale, you'll have to rely on theater of the mind. If you're watching it, you are treated to a show (you'll have to get your own dinner to go with it).

So. Much. Fun.

Songs performed:

Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) (written by Weill/Brecht)

Mack The Knife (written by Weill/Brecht)

Rouse The Men (Friedrich Hollaender)

I'm Not Your Dog (written by Cabaret Boreale)

Find out more about Cabaret Boreale: https://cabaretboreale.com/

Follow all things Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

Eternal gratitude to Grove Studios. Book your studio space: https://grovestudios.space/

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 Welcome Here

Soapbox Soliloquy

Outlaw Polka

You Chase Too Many Things.

More about Dave & Kristi: https://www.daveboutette.net/daveandkristi/

More about Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

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

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 Kaplansky, Eliza Gilkyson, Jonatha Brooke, Antje Duvekot, Claudia Schmidt, David Wilcox, Cliff Eberhardt, Michael Johnson, Alice Peacock, Patty Larkin, Susan Werner, and The Turtle Island String Quartet...just to name a few.

His voice is a beautiful, soothing instrument and his songs range from heart wrenching to funny to things you need to hear. My guest this episode is the wonderful John Gorka.

Songs written by John Gorka

Hold On

I'm From New Jersey

Good Noise

Particle and Wave

More about John Gorka: https://www.johngorka.com/

More about Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

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

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 just don't know what someone has to do to get the attention of the masses. You can be as good as Jason Isbell and yet not get the same recognition, even in your own backyard. I hope that changes with this record.

It was a pleasure to be among the first to hear his new album, due out May 1st and chat with him again after an 8 year gap. This is your first chance to hear some of these songs if you haven't been to a Ryan Racine show.

All songs written by Ryan Racine:

Don't Bury Me

If You Want

Emily

Boston Corbet

More about Ryan Racine: https://www.ryanracine.com/bio

Follow me and hear other episodes of Acoustic Alternatives: https://johnmbommarito.wixsite.com/johnbommarito/acoustic-alternatives

NONE of this happens without Grove Studios. Book them for your needs: https://grovestudios.space/

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/