Join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month for a songwriters round and a chance to get up close and personal with some of Michigan’s best songwriters…
Anthony Retka
“Writing songs is like a treasure hunt and well worth the journey. “
-Anthony Retka
Inquire who Anthony Retka is and prepare to traverse a wondrous land of talents set to a gorgeous backdrop of song.
Dating back fifteen years, Retka’s place in Michigan’s entertainment scene is etched as a voice and storyteller through music. The Detroit-born singer, songwriter and producer takes his audience on a heart-opening journey into his fantastical inner world. As Retka shares, “The magic of being a songwriter is that I am able to provide an outlet for those who can’t express themselves well. It allows me to connect with the audience in a very human and personal way.”
At a young age Anthony found an abandoned guitar in the attic of his childhood home. A family member’s forgotten dream? A gift left to collect dust amongst boxes filled with nostalgia? In Retka’s hands, this guitar found a home and thusly a path to years of songwriting presented itself birthed from this curious discovery.
Today, Retka’s name is synonymous with the lilting melodies that spill forth from his stripped down acoustic sound. As Detroit music critics have mentioned, a listener may find tribute nods to some of his standout favorites such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith and Paul Simon. By no mistake, like Retka, these influential artists celebrate the simpler things in life. From this wellspring of inspiration, Retka has recorded four solo records alongside four full-length studio albums, a live double CD, and multiple EPs and Singles with his former band, Tone & Niche.
2016 brought the release of “Fields & Fortresses,” his most direct and expressive solo work to date. The new album brims with poignant and expressive solo work from start to finish. Each song is defined by Retka’s captivating vocal stylings and lullaby-like lyrics. Supported by his band, Big Parade,”Fields and Fortresses” features special guest appearances by notable Detroit-area musicians. The talents of Kate Hinote, Emily Rose, Dave Martin, and Drew Schultz talents stand up and out coupled with the core of Big Parade held down by Nate Brent on guitar, Alex Wildner on bass, Carson Morton on drums, and Kelly Tuscherer on backup vocals. Anthony Retka’s Big Parade has been playing out around the Detroit-area since 2014.
And so goes the journey of this troubadour, playing live gigs like treasures left and found across the United States with notable stops in Nashville, St. Louis, Chicago and New York City.
Dan Minard
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Michelle Held
Jackie Pappas
Jackie is the mother of two young boys and lives in Goodrich, Michigan. After taking time off from her music career to raise her boys, Jackie recorded and released a new album in late 2020 accompanied with a regional tour in 2021. With new music scheduled to be released in fall of 2021, Jackie is currently booking tour dates for winter and spring of 2022 to promote her new releases. Jackie has a folksy, singer-songwriter vibe and writes meaningful lyrics that connect with a variety of audiences.