Michigan Music History Podcast -- MMHP989 cover art

Michigan Music History Podcast -- MMHP989

Michigan Music History Podcast -- MMHP989

By: Scott Baker Gary Johnson Fred Reif Mike Beattie
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About this listen

The MMHP989 brings together every style of Michigan Music, its history and backstory with detail. Featuring Dr. J (Gary Johnson) and Sir Fred (Fred Reif), Archivist/Wingman Mike Beattie, along with host, musician/journalist Scott BakerPercy's Privy Publishing, BMI Music
Episodes
  • MMHP Season 5 Ep:24--Scott Morgan--The Rational Sonic Architect of Michigan Rock Part 1 of 2
    Jun 26 2025

    Scott Morgan--household name to those in the know of Michigan legendary rock and roll. The Rationals, Sonic's Rendezvous Band, solo career, all points in between...It's difficult to envision Michigan rock without his legendary input!

    Scott takes us behind the scenes from his apartment and into the studio and on the stage with all aspects of his career and all the happenings behind it. Political, forward thinking, guitar and pen, with a golden voice, Scott gives the MMHP989 the keys to the kingdom. From his relationship with Fred 'Sonic' Smith to his partnership with The Hellacoptors, Scott is the linchpin to so many eras of Michigan Rock, he has been a part of some epic incarnation from the '60s to now.

    Don't waste any more time, just tune in and TURN IT UP! Part 1, now on the MMHP...

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • MMHP Season 5 Ep:23--Larry McCray--Insider Blues On Heartbreak City
    Jun 12 2025

    Mid-Michigan's Boss Hog of the blues, your #1 Blues Man, Larry McCray returns to the music bins and online lists with his second helping from the Josh Smith/Joe Bonamassa production stall on June 13, with Heartbreak City. The KTBA Records follow up to 2022's Blues Without You brings McCray back to his roots and offers more than a glimpse of vocal power, delivery, and searing solos that have been his trademark for his illustrious career, nearing 50 years, 35 on the professional circuit as a household name.

    Larry stopped by the MMHP989 Studio inside of the Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame in Downtown Bay City to give the early word in February on his recording trip to Los Angeles with the team last fall. At the time of this interview, 12 songs were recorded. 10 made the final cut and one of the two cut are a bonus digital download for the streaming services. Bye Bye Blues is already hitting the airwaves and McCray is in the midst of working up tour plans, based around his health and the annual Fall tour with Devon Allman/Allman Betts team that he has been on for three years. McCray takes the team behind the scenes for the writing of Heartbreak City with Peggy Smith, Charlie Walmsley, Josh Smith, as well as MMHP's own Scott Baker, the forward momentum he has been rolling with after getting a blues resurgence over the past few years, and of course tips his cap with great stories about meeting and playing with blues legends such as BB King, Albert King, Johnny Winter, Joe Bonamassa, and the Allman Brothers Family, amongst others. Get your blues on Michigan Music Fans, Brother Larry is back to sing you the blues and bring it on home!

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • MMHP Season 5 Ep:22--Barbara Bacon--Sin's A Good Man's Sister Part 2 of 2
    May 29 2025

    So many music fans want to be in the time capsule, jump back and be present when the music not only started, but to be a fly on the wall and absorb the scents, the colors, the sounds, the discussions, the drugs, the sex, debauchery, the arguments, heartbreaks and everything just to separate the myth from the history. Miss Barbara Bacon was the 17 year old on the scene, taking it all in and living to tell all about it.

    The Stooges, Ted Nugent, Mark Farner, Mc5, Bob Seger, The Who at the Holiday Inn Flint, Alice Cooper, Pete Andrews, Craig Frost, Twiggy, SRC, Michael Bruce...just a smear of the stories she has from backstage, homesteads, and hotels, to long trips, joint-sharing, bi-sexual reality, and the front row ticket to every event. Barbara has submitted Stooges and other artwork to the Michigan Rock Legends Hall of Fame and now has decided to do the ULTIMATE name drop and recall all her unreal stories. However, don't call her a groupie, she sat shotgun, witnessed and made wise decisions not to partake in the private world, while her older sister Carolyn and friends reaped fringe benefits. Barbara is a walking encyclopedia of Detroit, Pontiac, Ann Arbor and the world of rock and roll, via mid to late '60s and beyond. From Mitch Ryder to Mt. Holly--these are her stories. Part two of two here adds festival stories, Jackie Wilson, Jeep Holland and more. Barbara draws out stories from Dr. J and Sir Fred as well. Tune in for the big finale--now!

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    47 mins
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