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Camping, Community, and Rock ‘n’ Roll with Terris Ahrens
This week, we chat with Terris Ahrens, Executive Director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce and frontman of the alt-rock band Sometimes Pretty. Terris shares what it’s like growing up in Michigan—hanging out on the River Raisin, exploring forgotten cement ruins, and camping in hidden corners of the state.
We talk about his journey from video store manager to chamber leader, why he loves Chelsea’s creative energy, and how Sounds & Sights supports both tribute bands and original music. He also reveals his go-to camping spots (shoutout to Sleeper State Park, Negwegon, and the Porcupine Mountains), and serves up a perfect Michigan day: hammocks, hikes, whiskey in Lake Huron, and pan-fried morels. “Lots of bonfire smoke and blue water.”
🎤 In This Episode:
* Terris shares what it’s like to grow up in the woods of Manchester: “We spent all our time in the River Raisin. Fishing, kayaking, tubing—if it was outside, we were doing it.”
* His first live show… ever? “That night at Pleasant Lake Inn. That was the first time I stood in front of a crowd and sang. And Chuck’s right in my face with a camera!” (Historical side note: those were the last photos ever taken inside the PLI before it burned down.)
* On music and why Sometimes Pretty is different from Risky Brenda: “We’re not trying to be everything to everyone anymore. This is the music we’ve wanted to play all along.”
* Why Chelsea’s Sounds & Sights series is different: “We ask bands what they want to be paid—and we pay them. No negotiation. That’s rare.”
* Favorite Michigan camping spots (with just enough detail to not give away the real secret locations): Lake Huron’s Sleeper State Park, Negwegon, and Porcupine Mountains.
* The perfect Michigan meal: grilled brats, mac and cheese, roadside asparagus, and pan-fried morels. “I don’t know if there’s anything I like more than hand-fried morels, man.”
🔗 Links & Mentions:
* Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce
* Sometimes Pretty Band (Current Band)
* Risky Brenda does PLI – Life In Michigan (First Time Terris played)
* Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights
* Manchester Brewing
* Negwegon State Park
* Sleeper State Park
* Porcupine Mountains WildernessJourneyman Distillery
* Scissor Now
Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe
View all episodes
By Life in Michigan: The People Behind the PlacesThis week, we chat with Terris Ahrens, Executive Director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce and frontman of the alt-rock band Sometimes Pretty. Terris shares what it’s like growing up in Michigan—hanging out on the River Raisin, exploring forgotten cement ruins, and camping in hidden corners of the state.
We talk about his journey from video store manager to chamber leader, why he loves Chelsea’s creative energy, and how Sounds & Sights supports both tribute bands and original music. He also reveals his go-to camping spots (shoutout to Sleeper State Park, Negwegon, and the Porcupine Mountains), and serves up a perfect Michigan day: hammocks, hikes, whiskey in Lake Huron, and pan-fried morels. “Lots of bonfire smoke and blue water.”
🎤 In This Episode:
* Terris shares what it’s like to grow up in the woods of Manchester: “We spent all our time in the River Raisin. Fishing, kayaking, tubing—if it was outside, we were doing it.”
* His first live show… ever? “That night at Pleasant Lake Inn. That was the first time I stood in front of a crowd and sang. And Chuck’s right in my face with a camera!” (Historical side note: those were the last photos ever taken inside the PLI before it burned down.)
* On music and why Sometimes Pretty is different from Risky Brenda: “We’re not trying to be everything to everyone anymore. This is the music we’ve wanted to play all along.”
* Why Chelsea’s Sounds & Sights series is different: “We ask bands what they want to be paid—and we pay them. No negotiation. That’s rare.”
* Favorite Michigan camping spots (with just enough detail to not give away the real secret locations): Lake Huron’s Sleeper State Park, Negwegon, and Porcupine Mountains.
* The perfect Michigan meal: grilled brats, mac and cheese, roadside asparagus, and pan-fried morels. “I don’t know if there’s anything I like more than hand-fried morels, man.”
🔗 Links & Mentions:
* Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce
* Sometimes Pretty Band (Current Band)
* Risky Brenda does PLI – Life In Michigan (First Time Terris played)
* Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights
* Manchester Brewing
* Negwegon State Park
* Sleeper State Park
* Porcupine Mountains WildernessJourneyman Distillery
* Scissor Now
Get full access to Life In Michigan at lifeinmichigan.substack.com/subscribe