Toledo is Worth Your Attention

I often wonder while crossing the country, “Where’s the next haven for creators”?

Nashville is a magnet for artists because it’s where the nuts and bolts of the industry live and has always attracted dreamers. Austin is surrounded by the beautiful hill country and the region has appreciation for music so embedded in everyday life that is hard to think of anyplace comparable. New Orleans is a national treasure. There are many other cities that dreamers have helped put on the map, but the reality of that dream has been relegated to fantasy in many cases for those without deep pockets. Big developers move in, tear down the local historic venue and put in a luxury condo building along with a Starbucks. Its the circle of life.

Its no secret I love smaller cities like Rochester NY, Lexington KY… I could go on. Prescott AZ, any sunny mountain town.  I often fantasize, “What if we tossed the script, unpacked in this blinker light/desert/foothill/forgotten town or second city”. But more recently I have wondered, “what about the rustbelt”.

More specifically, Toledo.

Hear me out.

I admit a little bias for the little sister to my home town of Detroit. I have fond memories of time spent in childhood on the city’s east side with family, and Toledo offered a warm welcome as it was among my first “tour” dates. But the city has legitimate culture, talent, ambition and a grit forged in the same fires of other hard working, blue collar towns. They know not to waste the good times. Beyond that, with each visit I make lately to meet up with WAKT peers or other creatives, I am floored with the sense of community, opportunity, and emerging creative culture.

I want to tell you all about the Art Museum, The Toledo Zoo, The Mudhens, how local musicians raised a whopping $250,000 for Autistic children through their grass roots event last year, the record stores, bookstores, a downtown filled with mom and pop businesses, independent venues, coffee shops, craft beer bars, affordable rehearsal spaces and housing (named #1 housing Market in the US), house concerts, a revived independent newspaper that’s inspired a new sitcom, music series & festivals, etc. all packed in a small, accessible footprint (plus a great community radio station).

I should mention its parks, lake access, proximity to nature and cute small towns. The minimal congestions on the freeways. And that its convenient geographic location makes it a short drive to cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Fort Wayne… And that its a day’s drive or less to Grand Rapids, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Lexington, and a dozen other cities, making it a great hub for traveling artists… But for now I will tell you about my last visit.

Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils Perform at Fifth Third Field - Mudhen's Stadium

WAKT had an event for show hosts recently at the National Museum of the Great Lakes, which also gave me a chance to finally check out the beautiful Glass City Riverwalk on the east side. Both are world class. The visit left me imagining taking over a multi-use property nearby so I could wake up, ride my bike to the park, do some yoga, grab a coffee at Grindhrs Coffee shop, then return to my studio/listening room to work and plan for the coming year. Yes, I meandered….welcome to my brain.

A fellow host at WAKT gave us a tour of the historic Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, which was operational until 1980. It was incredible to see it, almost completely unchanged since it was built in 1911 and a must see if you are interested in history, shipping, the Great Lakes, etc.  I was equally impressed by the passion of our tour guide, native Michigander now Toldeoan Bea Currie. She also hosts The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Story System, a show that features music inspired by the Great Lakes.

Toledo Ohio

Afterwards we did get that chance to grab a coffee, visit the riverwalk, and peruse downtown a bit. Then we headed to the soft opening of 50 Ways Studios at the invitation of entrepreneur Craig Thompson, who also hosts a show on WAKT called “Sit Down With Craig”.

50 Ways Studio is a music and podcast production studio plus event space available for public use that overlooks the downtown from 9 stories up. They also have programs for community and at risk youth. Sharing A Dream and YO 50 Ways offers kids mentorship, the chance to learn trade and develop their creativity. Such an inspiring person and place. I felt lucky to be there watching this dream come to life.

So I was inspired, I had a chance to live a day in the life of a Toledo. I walked, I talked, I drank coffee, and meandered in a studio space I just hours before dreamed of.

With that, I have to say I am honored and thankful that I’ve been able to experience what is happening in the Toledo community first hand, to be inspired by my peers there, and to feel welcome.  I’ve been lucky enough to be treated like family in a lot of communities from Upstate NY to West Texas, met a lot of movers, shakers and music lovers...Toledo is right there up at the top.

Now, I can't forget after an action packed day, I made it to the opening reception for legendary drummer Johnny Bee Badanjek's art work in Wyandotte MI at River's Edge Gallery. Like I said, everything is close! Visit and snag one of his paintings while you can!

Watch for our next performance in Toledo and tell us where you'd like to see us. And don't forget to tune into Your Americana with Me! For more info on my show that features regional and national, current and groundbreaking americana music artists with a focus on the electrified, look HERE

Me and Mr Bandanjek

Headed For A Three Hour Tour