We had the good fortune of connecting with John Bayerl and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It all started fourteen years ago at the TroutBum BBQ in Grayling, Michigan. I was a full-time high school teacher and a part-time amateur fishing guide in town that hot June weekend for an annual fundraising event. The organizers had hired a bluegrass band to entertain. “Great” I thought…a bunch of old hillbillies in overalls. I couldn’t have been more wrong, as that band turned out to be U.P. legends Chasin’ Steel who brought their band of “hard driving bluegrass with a rock and roll attitude” to the party. I was so impressed, the very next weekend I bought my first guitar and started learning how to play. I followed Chasin’ Steel and eventually became lifelong friends with them. Closer to home outside of Brighton, Michigan, I started searching for a newsletter or website that could connect me to these kinds of live performances, bluegrass jams and other activities surrounding my new-found addiction to live, acoustic music. I quickly determined that no such thing existed and launched SeMiBluegrass LLC and it’s companion online blog http://www.semibluegrass.com to fill that need. The blog allowed me to exercise my passion for writing and growing interest in event photography to connect to the best in “live, local music” in South Eastern Michigan. The connections and friends I made with people in these circles spawned my tagline: “The People, the Places and The Music (always in that order)”…which was coincidentally “borrowed” from the TroutBum BBQ; bringing this story full circle.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What I do doesn’t really fit any of these categories. I started SeMiBluegrass as a way to pursue my passion for live, local, acoustic music and–more importantly–form connections with the people I’ve met and interacted with through music. I love the creative aspect of writing show reviews and trying to capture the intangible nuances of performance that both impact the listener and create lasting memories. I’ve enjoyed the unique challenges of taking pictures in live music settings. As society and our culture continue to evolve, I’m also slowly transitioning my efforts towards exploring social media more. I definitely have content up on FaceBook and Instagram and am looking into adding YouTube, TikTok and Twitter (X) content in the future. This exploration of emerging trends in technology both challenges me and sparks my curiosity as I learn the ins and outs of these platforms. What does the future of SeMiBluegrass hold? Who know…but it’s definitely going to be on heck of a ride!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Unlike Nashville, New Orleans or Memphis, Detroit and South Eastern Michigan do not have a singular “destination” spot for live music entertainment. You have to put in some work to go find those experiences. On the positive side, once you find them, you will find that we have some of the very BEST live music venues in the country–each with their own unique and often quirky charms! Any such list would have to start with the quintessential listening room that is The Ark in Ann Arbor. You will find a similar, though smaller and more intimate experience in Lake Orion at 20 Front Street. Wiltsie’s in Clarkston is forging new ground with a focus on up-close, intimate performances from local acts. For a more “rock and roll” type evening, it’s hard to top The Lagerhouse (formerly PJs Lagerhouse) in Detroit. There are two outstanding summer Bluegrass Festivals in Michigan in Charlotte (June) and Marshall (July).

As a creature of habits, I have preferred places to eat at most of these venues: A bowl of soup and a sour beer from Jolly Pumpkin before a show at The Ar. Pizza from 313 Pizza Bar before hitting 20 Front Street. The food at PJs is incredible. And a trip to Dark Horse brewery in Marshall is a definite.

I also have a passion for Microbreweries that offer live music. Rivers Edge in Milford hosts great music and a killer open mic. Jeff Robinson at Third Monk Brewery in South Lyon not only hosts great shows, but has a funky open mic and a “play a side of a record” party at his place. The farm-to-table food and beer at Home Grown Brewery in Oxford (and the beer at nearby Grav Cap Brewing) is hard to beat. And…it’s a long drive….but the king of great beer and live music events is Black Rocks Brewery in Marquette, Michigan.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I couldn’t do what I do now without the support and encouragement from all the people I’ve met through the South Eastern Michigan music scene, but especially the guys in Chasin’ Steel (who got me hooked on live, acoustic music) and Bill Arnold (who helped teach me to play).

Website: https://www.semibluegrass.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnbayerl/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeMiBluegrass

Youtube: @JohnPBayerl

Image Credits
All Images (C) SeMiBluegrass LLC

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMichigan is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.