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 Baker
Publisher
Scott Baker, Gary Johnson, Fred Reif, Mike Beattie
MMHP Season 7 Ep:6--Rich Tupica: From Big Star to Nolan Strong, The Author/Producer Steps Out Part 1 of 2
Rich Tupica cut his teeth on all styles of Michigan music. When his heart headed into journalism, Rich took courses in Mid-Michigan at Delta College, eventually landing at the Lansing City Pulse. Becoming a music archeologist, heading into old headlines at the library, backed with Microfiche browsing, Tupica began collecting. Eventually writing the most detailed Big Star biography on the late Chris Bell, Tupica wasted no time getting into other projects and became a go-to person for background information on Michigan rock.
From producing the Nolan Strong and the Diablos tribute album 'Daddy Rockin' Strong' and side jobs as a PR agent to former other 'big' stars, Tupica is in a class of his own. Now living in California, his Bob Seger collection and detailed memories of Michigan music history is unlike anyone else's. We were grateful to have him stop at his old stomping grounds in the Tri-Cities on a trip home to visit from California in fall of 2025. This Part 1 of 2 will take you, the listener, into a deep dive on Michigan Music History. And it doesn't hurt if you are a Big Star fan as well...tune in NOW!
Don Hessell makes a return visit to the MMHP to give a rundown on all the music, shows & movies that are making noise in Bay City for the big 20th Anniversary weekend Sept. 24-27. If These Walls Could Rock, Marblehead Morning and Peeping Todd are some of his standout movies. Another movie kicking off the fest Thursday night will be Crystal Cross--director and bandleader Richie Follin will meet with a q&a AS WELL AS perform at Old City Hall right after with his band Guards.
Friday nights energy set will be at the Masonic Temple, courtesy of the band Megasound!
Saturday's lineup at the Jefferson Building that has hosted the Saturday night music going on three years now. Dogface, Snorkeler, and Ducks LTD. are the 2026 features. As Don suggests, "Propulsion Jangle pop!," will be heard!
Tune in to hear all about the choices, films and the party that Hells Half Mile delivers to Michigan, straight out of Bay City for a massive 20th Anniversary Celebration! Thank you Don for the update! See you there...
17 Sept 2026
MMHP Season 7 Ep:4--Rod Bieber--From The Orchestra Pit to Backstage at WUCX FM
The Backstage Explorer and The Audition Room are two shows on 90.1 WUCX FM (Delta College) in which the voice and show producer Rod Bieber can be heard from. An orchestra musician by trade, his violin can still be heard at Michigan shows as they have in the past with such artists as Smokey Robinson, Anne Murray, Doc Severinsen, Donny Osmond, John Denver, Dick Wagner and Mannheim Steamroller--to just name drop a few acts that have called upon his services.
Bieber usually is the one to interview others, but has had the tables turned on him this time and has told his music history to us here at the MMHP. He has given so much to the Michigan Music scene, it was high time he tell his story. The SSO, the FSO, and the small Bay City Bijou Orchestra are mere stops along his fiddling past. This one goes deep! Tune in NOW...
Who has been a guest on Michigan Music History Podcast -- MMHP989
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Scott Morgan
Larry McCray
Peggy Smith
Charlie Walmsley
Josh Smith
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
12,094
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
77
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
68
Contact Michigan Music History Podcast -- MMHP989
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