"The People, The Places, and the Music." Its more than a tag line. It's the basis on which I have built my whole online identity and a foundational belief of the person I've chosen to be. Music, the places it's performed, and the people you meet through those experiences have the power to transform. It can be subtle, like cheering you up after a long work week. Or profound, like inspiring just the right person to undertake something magnificent that benefits us all. Never in my life has that been more apparent than a recent trip to Cheboygan, Michigan with the Echoes in the Iron crew. Don't skip over that link I just shared. Click on it. Read it. I'll give you a minute. You will find that Echoes in the Iron is a multimedia project designed to celebrate and further ignite the revitalization of Rustbelt towns through the transformative power of music, storytelling, and community. But it is about so much more.
Echoes in the Iron about two men, Brandon Still and Bill Arnold, who's paths crossed at a pop-up music event in a small Midwest town. They may not remember who the performer was that night, but they do remember sharing an admiration for the intimacy of a small venue and the joy of live, local music. From this small spark grew a deep friendship and shared passion to do make a difference...and hence was born
Echoes in the Iron. Both small business owners and Entrepreneurs, they soon came to a realization that their shared dream was less about "what if?" and more about "why not?" With Bill's musical talent and industry knowledge (
Bill Arnold Music) and Brandon's experience in the worlds of small towns and rural economic development was born an idea for a full-length docu-series that combines music, storytelling, travel and a passion for small town life. Their goal is to "celebrate and further ignite the revitalization of Rustbelt towns through the transformative power of music, storytelling and community".
When I mentioned Cheboygan, Michigan at the start of this article, many of you would have struggled to recognize it as a destination. Rather, you would have some vague idea that it was "up north"...a town your drove through, rather than to. And in the not-to-distant past, that would have been accurate. Enter
John and Marcella Costin. Until recently, residents of Southeast Michigan with an Entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to do something to help their "adopted" small town of Cheboygan (they have quite the story of how they discovered this town through random chance and a bad boat motor). While living down state, the Costins were frequent attendees at the musical performances at
20 Front Street in Lake Orion and had an audacious and bold idea to create something similar in Cheboygan. So was born the
Lark Theater.
Reaching out to the owners of
20 Front Street, the Costins were able to create a very similar listening room in this small rural town. Borrowing (with permission) many of the design elements, and adding Marcela's unique design touches, the created a small (less than 60 seat) listening room to host intimate, usually acoustic performances from local and touring musicians. But the realities of creating a viable listening room in remote Cheboygan offered some unique challenges. With true entrepreneurial spirit and fiery passion, the Costins dove in head-first and did what it takes to make their vision a success. This involved buying multiple retails spaces to surround and support the Lark Theater. Whether it's hand crafted pearl jewelry and original fashions for Women at
Simply Marcela, browsing the uniquely Michigan woolen wares (and beer!) at
Stormy Kromer's Cap & Ale House, you'll find something of interest there for everyone. To make a fine night out on the town, you might start with a cocktail at the
Lark Lounge, enjoy a fantastic meal at
The Queens Head Pub, (a true English pub and a nod to John's background), and an after-show Pink Pig Rumrunner at
The Pig 'N Whistle. Together, these businesses support and promote each other and form what it jokingly referred to as the "largest indoor mall in Northern Michigan".
But, as amazing as the Costins' story is,
Echoes in the Iron is ultimately about community. And that is EXACTLY what we found on our trip to Cheboygan. It started with a casual comment from the owner of
Cheboygan Coffee Roasters who said "I heard about the
Lark Theater and wanted to start a business in Cheboygan. And it's a GREAT coffee shop! Through those conversations, we also happened into an impromptu tour of the historic
Cheboygan Opera House, which hosts musical performances throughout the year for up to almost 600 people at a time. During our trip we enjoyed perusing the live music schedule over a killer craft beer at
The Cheboygan Brewing Company, had a killer burger at
Johnnies Bar, caught some local acoustic country and two-stepping at
Pub 27, and discovered a true gem in the
Nauti Inn Barstro where we were treated to an incredible dinner with an impromptu live music set. Truly one of the best nights out I've had in a long time.
More than just a working weekend with the Echoes in the Iron guys, my trip to Cheboygan opened my eyes--again--to the transformative power of live, local music and the people who support it. On the trip home I summed up my experience (in words that will bring a tear to the eye of every Downtown Development Association, Economic Development Commission and Mainstreet organization) with "I wasn't sure I even wanted to go to Cheboygan, and now I can't wait to get back!"
The work Echoes in the Iron is undertaking is important. In unsure times that constantly divide us, they are working to bring us together, to restore the things that make us great and to build communities who support each other. Check out their website to learn more and get on board. https://www.echoesintheiron.com/
