Michigan music has a visibility problem, and this episode shows how one grassroots team is trying to fix it. Matthew Rose and Jessica are building the Michigan Music Awards to replace competition with collaboration, spotlight homegrown talent, and keep the state’s best artists from getting overlooked.
They share how the idea started in a living-room conversation, why the Michigan scene needed a culture shift, and how their award show at the Aretha Franklin Jazz Cafe is becoming a real platform for local musicians. You’ll hear how they turned a list of 10 contacts into a network of 500, why member-driven voting matters, and how they’re making sure the awards reflect the work—not just popularity.
Matthew Rose is a musician at heart and one of the driving forces behind the Michigan Music Initiative, a grassroots effort built to champion Michigan artists and strengthen the state’s music ecosystem. Jessica brings the supportive partnership and practical momentum behind the mission, helping turn an idea into an organization with events, memberships, and a growing statewide presence.
If you care about Michigan music, independent artists, or what it looks like to build something meaningful from the ground up, this conversation is essential listening. It’s a reminder that the best scenes are built when people stop competing and start lifting each other up.
