Love poured out onto the corner of 7 Mile and Revere Street on Friday, May 16, as the city of Detroit honored one of its most gifted, generous and influential musical sons: Joseph “Amp” Fiddler.

In a ceremony filled with rhythm, reverence and raw emotion, the city officially unveiled Amp Fiddler Avenue, permanently inscribing his name on the very block where so much of his magic was made.

It was the centerpiece of the second annual Amp Fiddler Day, a now-official recognition established by the Detroit City Council to commemorate a life lived in the service of music, community and connection.

I stood there on that familiar street, not just as the event’s host, but also as someone deeply connected to the man we honored. Amp was my friend. We were both raised in Conant Gardens, a neighborhood that has quietly birthed giants.

“To be part of this day wasn’t just professional. It was personal. It was a full-circle moment.”

–Chris Campbell, host, The Progressive Underground

He appeared on The Progressive Underground more than any other guest I’ve hosted in the show’s 13-year history — his spirit, warmth and fearless creativity made him not just a friend of the show, but by extension, a friend of WDET. To be part of this day wasn’t just professional. It was personal. It was a full-circle moment.

Amp was more than a master musician. He was a musical architect and a connector of generations. His fingerprints are on the sounds of Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince, Maxwell, Seal and Tony Allen. He infused Detroit soul into every synth line and groove he touched, creating an unmistakable sonic signature that made him a legend’s legend. But his true genius may have been the space he created for others.

It was in his modest home studio on Revere Street where countless artists gathered — where conversations turned into collaborations, and where a young James Yancey, better known as J Dilla, was handed his first MPC and a passport to change the future of hip-hop and neo-soul.

On this day, dignitaries, artists, family members, community elders and students came together to lift up Amp’s name and legacy. Councilmember Scott Benson opened the ceremony by reading the formal city resolution that first established Amp Fiddler Day and affirmed the renaming of Revere Street to Amp Fiddler Avenue.

He was joined by Councilmember Coleman A. Young II, who offered personal reflections, and Detroit Entertainment Commission Chair John Collins, who honored Amp’s influence on the city’s creative economy.

Poetic tributes came from internationally-renowned poet/activist/actor Mike-E (Mike Ellison), while Michigan State University faculty members Julian Chambliss, Mark Sullivan, Terra Goforth, Natasha T. Miller and John Collins offered insight into Amp’s cultural legacy.

Written words were shared from T3 of Slum Village, Ma Dukes, the mother of J Dilla and RJ Rice of RJ’s Latest Arrival, acknowledging Amp’s impact on their personal and professional journeys, and how he helped nurture a global movement through music.

But it was Amp’s wife and creative partner, Tombi Stewart Fiddler, who delivered the day’s most powerful remarks. Through tears and deep composure, she spoke of Amp not only as a world-renowned musician, but as a man who led with love, whose humility and compassion uplifted everyone he encountered. She announced the continuation of his legacy through the Camp Amp Foundation and stewardship of his estate, ensuring his work and vision will continue to nurture the next generation.

The program ended with nationally-renowned songstress Monica Blaire leading the crowd in a joyful countdown as the veil was lifted from the new street sign, officially renaming Revere as Amp Fiddler Avenue. Cheers erupted, and Amp’s music floated through the air as a soundtrack to a moment long overdue.

In a city known for birthing genius and too often letting that genius go uncelebrated, Friday’s ceremony stood as a righteous act of recognition.

Amp Fiddler was more than a sound. He was a force. A neighbor. A mentor. A beacon. Detroit showed up to say: We see you. We remember you. We honor you.

And now, every time someone turns onto Amp Fiddler Avenue, they’ll be reminded that love, art and community live on, in the city Amp helped shape, and in all the souls he helped set free.

The Coalition for Property Tax Justice held a press conference last week to encourage Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree to place a moratorium on tax foreclosures for home valued at $50,000 or lower.

The Coalition is refuting the city of Detroit’s interpretation of a study conducted by the International Association of Assessing Officers, which concluded that the city is following Michigan law, and on average they are assessing properties correctly.

Coalition Leader Bernadette Atuahene says while the results are correct, averages can still hide the real issue.

“For instance, 10+60+80 divided by three, is 50, right, the average of those three numbers is 50; but within that, the 60 and the 80 are both unconstitutional, right?” Atuahene said. “So two-thirds, two of the three right, are unconstitutional, but you can declare that on average, they’re following the law, and that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Atuahene applauded the city for getting the averages right, but says it still needs to reevaluate the over-assessed homes. She calls tax foreclosure “an act of legal violence” and says it should only happen with extreme precaution.

The coalition is also calling for Mayor Mike Duggan to admit the issue exists.

“The Duggan administration, study after study after study, refuses to acknowledge that the lower valued homes are still being overassessed,” Atuahene said. “Instead, they keep resting on the fact that, on average, the homes are being assessed at 50% so we’re calling on the Duggan administration to respect the data.”

The coalition released a study from the University of Chicago last year that showed overassessment of the value of these properties. City officials denied any systemic issues in the taxing process.

The City Assessor’s Office told WDET that the coalition has a poor success rate in assessment appeals, suggesting their claims are not supported by facts.

–Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley, WDET News

Other headlines for Monday, May 19, 2025:

• A group representing Michigan’s corrections officers is asking the state House of Representatives to send a package of bills affecting their retirement options to the governor, WKAR reports.
• Detroit City Council has confirmed Tanya Stoudemire as the city’s new Chief Financial Officer. Stoudemire — the first woman to hold the CFO title in Detroit — will succeed Jay Rising, who retired in April after 4 years on the job.
• Fridays at the Station returns to Michigan Central on Friday, May 23, with music from Malik Alston and the Linwood Ensemble performing with songstress Maurissa Rose. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Today on The Metro, we continue our conversation about the untold experiences of living in public housing on the heels of the opening of the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago. 

The Jeffries Projects in Detroit are gone now — bulldozed and redeveloped like many other public housing developments. But for Kendall Werts, they live on.

He grew up there, in a world shaped by closeness: grandmothers cooking for a crowd, kids packed into twin beds, neighbors passing ingredients through open doors. It was public housing, but it was also public joy, public survival, public love.

Today, Werts runs The Jeffries — a creative agency that’s named for the place that raised him. It’s more than a name. It’s a memory. A map. And a reminder that even in places society was quick to discard, beauty thrived.

He joined the show to talk about what it means to come from a place like that— and to carry it with you wherever you go.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

It’s no secret that the city of Detroit has a rich music history. But when most people think of the city’s most famous labels, Motown is usually the first — or only— one that comes to mind. 

But there are many other lesser known labels that contributed to the city’s thriving music scene and deserve more recognition. 

Fortune Records is definitely among them, and yet somehow the influential mom and pop label has largely faded into obscurity.

Detroit author and music historian Michael Hurtt aims to change that with his book “Mind Over Matter,” which he co-wrote with his longtime friend Billy Miller.

The book offers a comprehensive history of Fortune and the many “myths and mysteries” associated with the label.

Hurtt spoke with WDET’s Jenny Sherman and Natalie Albrecht about the label for the latest episode of CuriosiD, and he joined The Metro on Thursday to share more.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

Tornadoes may be possible for a second consecutive night across much of lower Michigan on Friday, with parts of metro Detroit likely to experience thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The strongest storms are expected to pass through the region between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., with winds up to 55 mph and up to 1-inch size hail possible.

Several counties in West Michigan, mid-Michigan and metro Detroit are still recovering from the severe storm that passed through the area overnight Friday, bringing high winds and power outages for thousands of residents.

Roughly 9,000 DTE  customers and 185,000 Consumers Energy customers were still without power as of Friday morning, according to outage maps. Officials warn to stay at least 20 feet away from downed power lines and to keep children and pets inside.

Residents can report fallen power lines to DTE Energy by calling 800-477-4747 or to Consumers Energy by calling 800-477-5050.

Other headlines for Friday, May 16, 2025:

• The Detroit Fire Department is continuing its Summer Safety Series every second Wednesday of the month through August, covering seasonal fire safety tips, prevention strategies and more.
• The Coleman A. Young Recreation Center has reopened after a five-year closure and $11 million renovation. The city of Detroit now has 13 recreation centers open to the public.
• Movement Festival is coming to Hart Plaza Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, featuring more than 115 local and international techno artists across six stages. WDET is an official media partner for the event. Learn how you could win VIP passes to this year’s festival at wdet.org/movement.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Several tornado warnings and watches were issued across southeast Michigan overnight on Friday, as a line of severe storms made its way across the state.

A tornado warning was in effect for Lapeer County, Genesee County, Livingston County and parts of Oakland County, according to the National Weather Service. A tornado watch was in effect for all of southeast Michigan through 5 a.m. Friday. Tornado warnings were issues for several West Michigan counties as well.

The storm left thousands without power in West Michigan, Mid-Michigan and metro Detroit, according to Consumers Energy, Great Lakes Energy, and DTE outage maps.

Friday will be mostly sunny with a high of 84 degrees. Rain is forecasted for Friday evening, with scattered thunderstorms expected to continue through the weekend.

WDET took home 25 awards at the Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter awards banquet Wednesday night, including four First Place honors.

Radio

Breaking/Spot News Reporting

First Place: Russ McNamara, ‘Uncommitted’ delegates hold DNC sit-in after refusal to allow Palestinian speaker at convention

Second Place: Alex McLenon, Trump talks auto industry, ruffles feathers with Detroit diss during Michigan campaign stop

Community/Local News Reporting

Second Place: Pat Batcheller, Grosse Ile voters could authorize a plan to buy one of the island’s two bridges

Third Place: Nargis Rahman, Muslims in metro Detroit celebrate Ramadan differently as war in Gaza rages

Fourth Place: Quinn Klinefelter, Michigan’s 10th Congressional race is a rematch of nation’s third-closest election

Education Reporting

First Place: Sascha Raiyn, Detroit Students Follow the Path of the Buffalo Soldiers in Yosemite

Second Place: Sascha Raiyn, A look at the university board races on the ballot in Michigan

Third Place: Nargis Rahman, Pro-Palestinian students, faculty share concerns at virtual WSU BOG meeting

Feature Reporting

Second Place: Tristan McFolley, Tickets to drive-through holiday lightshow at Eloise Asylum

Third Place: Rob Reinhart, CuriosiD: What happened to Detroit jazz venue Strata Concert Gallery?

Fourth Place: Amanda LeClaire, CuriosiD: Is the medicinal magic of Vernors a myth or reality?

General News Reporting

Second Place: Russ McNamara, Quinn Klinefelter, Nargis Rahman, Jenny Sherman – Democratic National Convention

Third Place: Nargis Rahman, Uncommitted delegates at DNC aim to put pressure on Harris’ Gaza policy

Fourth Place: Quinn Klinefelter, Detroit deploys new election security after 2020 chaos

News/Public Affairs Reporting

Second Place: Robyn Vincent, Tia Graham, Sam Corey, Cary Junior, David Leins – The Metro, Dec. 10, 2024

Third Place: Robyn Vincent, Tia Graham, Sam Corey, Cary Junior, Jack Filbrandt – The Metro, Nov. 18, 2024

Fourth Place: Cary Junior, Sam Corey, David Leins, Robyn Vincent, Tia Graham – The Metro, Dec. 9, 2024

Newscast

First Place: Pat Batcheller, WDET News 7:04 a.m. May 31, 2024

Second Place: Pat Batcheller, WDET News 5:04 a.m. Feb. 6, 2024

Third Place: Pat Batcheller, WDET News 5:04 a.m. June 6, 2024

Fourth Place: Pat Batcheller, WDET News 5:04 am July, 22, 2024

Sports Reporting

First Place: Alex McLenon, Downtown Detroit Grand Prix attracts new and old fans in second year

Second Place: Quinn Klinefelter, Detroit Lions first home playoff in 30 years vs. Stafford

Third Place: WDET News, NFL Draft

Digital

Digital Media Presentation

Third Place: Jenny Sherman, 2024 WDET Voter Guide

For the full list of SPJ Detroit’s Excellence in Journalism award winners, visit spjdetroit.org.

This week, we’ve got arts and culture events to get you in the Movement mindset ahead of the festival this Memorial Day weekend.

Plus, your chance to win tickets to the festival itself! Read on to learn more.

Music festivals

Cartoons & Stereo festival (put together by stoop lee) — Free skateboarding music festival with a pop-up skatepark, live music, a vintage clothing market, a 9-foot rim dunk contest and local food trucks. Performers include Zelooperz, Pink Siifu, stoop lee, Datsunn with LOCAL ORGANIC, Curtis Roach, Rob Apollo, Pia the Band, Shaii David and Leo Pastel. The event goes from 2-11 p.m.

Freak Press Ball — The Freak Press Ball returns to Spot Lite Detroit on Wednesday, May 21, for another star-studded performance from IANFINK.CPT. This 12-piece ensemble is led by keyboardist Ian Fink in collaboration with some of Detroit’s greatest performers and musicians, including Cecille, Salakastar, Jamiliah Minter, Salar Ansari, Sasha Kashperko, Dez Andrés, Marcus Elliot, Jake Shadik, Tim Shellabarger and Caleb Robinson, and WDET’s own Shigeto. The skilled and eclectic Saylem Celest will be on the decks alongside exciting young selector, Dej.y, followed by master producer and DJ Scott Grooves to close out the night. New Freak Press apparel, vinyl and other merchandise will be available for purchase as well as exclusive visual art by Scott Grooves. 

Movement prep

Amp Fiddler Ave. unveiling — The city of Detroit has partnered with the Amp Fiddler Estate to honor late Detroit musician and producer Amp Fiddler with his own street name. “Amp Fiddler Avenue” will officially be unveiled at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 16 —  the second annual Amp Fiddler Day — at the corner of 7 Mile Road and Revere Street. The unveiling will be hosted by WDET’s own Chris Campbell.

Vibe & Dye: A Movement Festival Prep Party at Detroit Dye House — Detroit Dye House is hosting a special tie dye experience and pre-Movement party at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. The event will offer opportunities to make summer festival apparel with a special phosphorescent dye that glows under a black light, with live music from DJ Darren Shelton.

Record and book fair at Spot Lite — Spot Lite Detroit will host a curated day of vinyl, books, local vendors, coffee and cocktails from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The event is free to attend.

WDET x Movement — WDET is again partnering with Paxahau as an official media partner for Movement, returning to Detroit’s Hart Plaza for three days of electronic music over Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26. Want a chance to win VIP passes to this year’s festival? Make a donation to WDET from noon on Friday, May 16 through Wednesday, May 21 and you’ll be entered into the drawing! Learn more at wdet.org/movement.

Comic Con

Motor City Comic Con — Michigan’s largest comic convention returns to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi this weekend, May 16-18, featuring appearances from notable actors and celebrities including Bill Nye, Angela Kinsey, Rainn Wilson, Jeremy Renner, Sean Astin and more. 

Bowie tribute

Blackstar Symphony at the DSO — David Bowie’s final album, “Blackstar,” will be reimagined on Detroit’s Orchestra Hall stage Thursday, May 22, for Blackstar Symphony — a celebration of and tribute to the late artist. Performed with the original “Blackstar” band, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will bring the critically-acclaimed album to life alongside other Bowie classics like “Space Oddity,” “Life on Mars,” and “Heroes.” Tickets available at dso.org.

Outdoor activities

Labyrinth walk at Gabriel Richard Park — Set your intentions and join Detroit Zen Center for a guided walk through the labyrinth at Gabriel Richard Park from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. The event is part of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. Register at detroitriverfront.org.

Movie night at the park — Enjoy the family classic “Inside Out” while spending time outdoors along the Detroit Riverfront at Milliken State Park next week. The free event, sponsored by Huron-Clinton Metroparks, kicks off at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. More info at detroitriverfront.org.

River Rouge cleanup — The city of Farmington Hills is hosting its largest annual volunteer cleanup event at Heritage Park on Saturday, May 17, for Rouge River Day. Volunteers are sought to help remove trash and debris from the river, clear invasive species, plant native wildflowers and maintain trails at the park from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Flower Day at Eastern Market — One of the most popular market days of the year returns to Eastern Market this Sunday, May 18, featuring flower vendors and growers from across the Midwest. Flower Day will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the market. Additional Flower Tuesday Markets are planned for May 20 and 27 in Sheds 5 and 6. Find more information at easternmarket.org.

Art exhibition

CCS Student Exhibition — Detroit’s College for Creative Studies is inviting the community to its annual Student Exhibition Opening and and Sale from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 16, showcasing more than 3,500 from students and alumni in various mediums. The exhibition will be on view and open to the public through May 30. Find more information at ccsdetroit.edu.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, Detroit’s casinos have reported a slight uptick in revenue last month. Plus, restoration has begun on the city’s historic Lee Plaza Hotel, and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Casino revenues up in April

Detroit’s casinos are reporting improved revenues for the month of April.   The three gaming houses brought in $109.8 million last month. That’s up slightly from April 2024. MGM Grand controlled the largest segment of the market at 47%. MotorCity Casino had 30%, with Hollywood Casino at Greektown at 23% of the market. Together, the three casinos paid $13 million in taxes and wagering agreement payments to the city of Detroit. They paid another $8.9 million in taxes to the state of Michigan. 

Restoration begins at Lee Plaza Hotel

Restoration of Detroit’s historic Lee Plaza Hotel officially began on Tuesday. Developers and city officials, including Mayor Mike Duggan, celebrated the project at a mid-afternoon event. 

Originally opened in 1929, Lee Plaza was a luxury hotel built by real estate developer Ralph T. Lee. But the building has been vacant for nearly 30 years, falling subject to decay, scalpers, and the theft of its iconic terra cotta lions that once adorned the top of the building. The high-rise will now be turned into affordable senior housing with 117 units.

City to break ground on Rosa Parks Apartments 

The city of Detroit will break ground Thursday on a new affordable housing development in Woodbridge. The 4401 Rosa Parks Apartments will make 60 one- and two-bedroom rental homes available to Detroiters. The city says it’s the first phase in the redevelopment of the former Wilbur Wright school.  The groundbreaking takes place at 11 am. 

Tigers tie for best record in MLB

Believe it or not, the Detroit Tigers are tied for the best record in Major League Baseball. The team has a record of 28 wins and 15 losses, leading the American League. The New York Mets, in the National League, also have a record of 28 and 15.  The Tigers host the Boston Red Sox Wednesday night at Comerica Park. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

We’re just over a week away from Movement, Detroit’s annual electronic music festival. The event draws techno lovers from across the globe for three days of music, dancing, and for many people — heavy partying. 

While Movement discourages and prohibits illegal or illicit drugs at the event, research from the National Institute of Health shows that electronic music festivals are typically “high-risk scenes for drug use.”

Passenger Recovery is a Hamtramck organization offering recovery and mental health support and sober programming for musicians and/or other individuals in the local music scene.

Bryan Wolf, director of programming at Passenger, joined The Metro on Wednesday to share some resources and outreach efforts planned for Movement weekend. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

Hey whatupdoe Detroit. Chris Campbell from the Progressive Underground here for my Pick of the Week. This week’s pick is a celebration, a meditation, and a tribute all in one — honoring the late and legendary Amp Fiddler as Detroit prepares to rename a street in his honor on May 16 in Conant Gardens, the neighborhood that raised him.

We’re spotlighting a soulful, soaring track from his 2003 album, “Waltz of a Ghetto Fly” — a record that blurred lines between soul, funk, electronica and cosmic jazz — and proved Amp was never just one thing. He was all things: keyboardist, composer, vocalist, visionary.

The track is “Possibilities,” and is exactly what it sounds like — a sonic reminder of what can happen when you let the groove lead and the spirit follow. Anchored by Amp’s signature Fender Rhodes textures, the song pulses with hope, elasticity, and Detroit soul grit. It’s aspirational without being naive. Funky without forcing it.

On this cut, Amp sings like a man channeling the future. His vocal phrasing is breezy but assertive, gliding over a broken-beat rhythm and elastic bassline that recall his time with George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic and his collaborations with Moodymann and Theo Parrish. The track manages to feel vintage and futuristic all at once — just like the city that made him. 

Amp Fiddler didn’t just play keys. He opened doors. For artists. For neighborhoods. For young talent like the late J Dilla, whom he mentored. And “Possibilities” is an anthem for that mission: to stretch boundaries, amplify joy, and believe in what comes next. 

Let’s dive in — here’s “Possibilities” from the late Amp Fiddler, and its my Pick of the Week. 

Once again, that’s “Possibilities” by the late, great Amp Fiddler, from his 2003 album “Waltz of a Ghetto Fly” — our Pick of the Week here on The Progressive Underground. 

May 16 is Amp Fiddler Day in the city of Detroit, which this year comes with a street renaming in his honor. So from now on, when you turn onto Revere in Conant Gardens, just know the possibilities are still endless. Rest in rhythm, Amp.

The muted complexes and concrete towers that paint the image of America’s public housing tell a deeper story. It’s a story of segregation, of communities trying to survive along the margins, and of money and power shaping neighborhoods.

In Detroit — as in many places — it’s a layered story, one that involves neighborhoods like Black Bottom and Paradise Valley — majority Black middle-class communities that were razed in the late 1950s in the name of “urban renewal.” Many of the residents who were displaced were promised better housing in public projects, but those promises rarely came to fruition. 

But even in the most challenging times, many public housing residents have made the best of it, raising children, organizing neighbors, and demanding more. Now, a new museum in Chicago is illuminating those histories — not to romanticize them, but to confront them.

The National Public Housing Museum honors the people who made homes in a system stacked against them. It also asks: What should public housing in America look like today, and how can it be a place where people and families can thrive?

Lisa Yun Lee, executive director and chief curator at the museum, joined The Metro to help us answer these questions.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

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Singer-songwriter Ryan Allen has never stopped, literally. The metro Detroit-based multi-instrumentalist has never stopped writing, recording and performing.

Even when his primary band, Extra Arms, is on hiatus, he’s at it again with a new solo album that drops this weekend, capped off by a show at Bowlero Lanes Lounge on Friday. Allen and I go way back; we were both scrappy music journalists in our early 20’s when we first met — albeit even back then it was something more of a side-hustle, but I digress…

You can hear Allen and I not only talk about the broad subject of nostalgia, but also hear us drill down on how it informs and inspires the music we love and the music we write! Allen’s new album, “Livin’ On a Prayer on the Edge,” taps into that singular exhilaration we all felt as teenagers when we were discovering the music that would come to define us, while also ruminating on the way music can sweetly sculpt our memories of those formative days.

I am a nostalgic person,” Allen said, “as much as I wish sometimes that i wasn’t. But I’m not someone who wishes it was like the old days…”

As mentioned during the interview, there’s an underlying theme of enduring, that prevails throughout the album, and what better to endure than timeless music?

“Like Teenage Fanclub and those other ’90s bands like Matthew Sweet records, which all had that kinda jangly, open chord, big sounding poppy rock sound, that was what I really was drawn to as a teenager,” he said. “Just something about that warm blanket of distortion and melody — that is that sweet spot for me musically. And [“Livin’ On a Prayer on the Edge“] definitely is an homage to all of that stuff!”

While Allen was hanging out with me in-studio, he also performed an acoustic version of “When I’m Gone,” off his new album!

Along with Allen’s interview, I also premiered lots of new local music — particularly leaning in to indie-rock vibes with Zastava‘s “Truth,” a lead single from their forthcoming album; and Gloomco, with ‘Wake Up,’ the second single from their forthcoming release, “Nothing Left to Say.”

Another local group with an album out this weekend is the dream-pop/shoegaze ensemble Origami Phase. I premiered a new song from their EP “Ostara,” which has its release party this Friday at Small’s in Hamtramck.

But wait, there’s more! We also heard from Ann Arbor folk/Americana/jazz singer-songwriter Jess Merritt, who has an album release show this Sunday at The Ark.

Another reliable facet of MI Local is that you’ll hear from artists based all around the state of Michigan, including The Charlie Millard Band, who came out of the “northern” part of the “lower” peninsula — they have a new album out soon titled Pilot Boy, and we heard their new single, “Wedding Bells.”

See the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

MI Local Playlist for May 13, 2025

• “Wake Up” – Gloomco
• “Fake Lives” – The Messenger Birds
• “Wedding Bells” – Charlie Millard Band
• “Lakeside” – Jess Merritt
• “Complicate Me” – Outrageous Cherry
• “Truth” – Zastava
• “I’m Team Edward” – drive safe!
• “Lilith” – Origami Phase
• “Sober” – sock jock
• “I Should (But I Don’t Really Wanna)” – Ryan Allen
• “When I’m Gone” – Ryan Allen (live in WDET Studios)
• “So What Who Cares” – Ryan Allen

Former state Sen. Adam Hollier announced last month that he is again running for Congress to unseat U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit).

Hollier filed to run against Thanedar in 2024, but was removed from the ballot after the Wayne County Clerk’s Office said he failed to get enough valid petition signatures.

The Detroit Democrat joined The Metro on Tuesday to discuss the biggest issues he believes metro Detroiters in the state’s 13th Congressional District are facing, along with what inspired him to run again.

“I live in the 13th District, I have been born and raised in the 13th District, I’m raising my children in the 13th District,” Hollier said. “It is one of the poorest districts in the country, and what you should expect from your members of Congress — your elected representatives at any level — is that they are moving the ball forward. That they are making your life actually better. That they are delivering things that have a real impact, and that’s not what we’re seeing from Congressman Thanedar.”

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

More stories from The Metro

Detroit Public School Community District is hosting its 56th annual “Evening of Fine Arts” at the Fox Theatre on Wednesday, highlighting students’ achievement in the arts over the past year. 

The annual event was created to give students an opportunity to perform on grand stages like the Fox Theatre, while showcasing their artistic ability and various arts disciplines offered by the district.

More than 700 middle and high school students will be performing this year, featuring everything from visual art and dance to music and theater.

Andrew McGuire, deputy director of performing arts at DPSCD, joined The Metro on Tuesday to share more about the event. He was joined by William Perkins, a junior vocal music major at the Detroit School of Arts, who spoke about the experience of performing at the Fox.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

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Belle Isle’s James Scott Memorial Fountain will undergo an 18-month, $6 million renovation beginning this weekend. 

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working quickly to use the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funding allocated to the park to replace the bowl of the fountain. 

DNR spokesperson Tim Bissett said this year marks the centennial anniversary for the iconic fountain. 

“It’s unfortunate that we can’t run it during that anniversary,” he said. “But obviously the time constraints to be able to do that preclude us from being able to run it this year and then wait, we have that very strict guideline and that timeline that we have to stick by in order to get the project done.” 

The DNR is replacing the bowl and foundation beams of the fountain. 

The department expects the renovations to be completed by the end of next year, with plans to restart the fountain in 2027. 

Other headlines for Tuesday, May 13, 2025: 

• Free enrollment for Pre-K is now open for all families across Michigan, regardless of income for the 2025-26 school year.
• Michigan State Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) launched his campaign for U.S. Senate on Sunday.
• The Detroit Public Library is hosting free estate planning workshops through the spring and summer seasons, with the first one taking place on May 17. The workshop will cover planning tools such as wills, deeds, and trust agreements.
• The Coleman A. Young Recreation Center reopened over the weekend after an $11 million renovation and a five-year closure. Improvements include parking lot repairs, EV charging stations, new exterior windows, gym floor refinishing, pool system enhancements and updated HVAC and electrical systems.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

There’s a new tribute album coming out to celebrate Broken Social Scene’s “You Forgot It In People” album, with contributions from Maggie Rogers & Sylvan Esso as well as Toro Y Moi (you’ll hear both and Broken Social Scene during the show).

Plus, new music from Baltimore punks TURNSTILE, Ezra Collective, Original Koffee and more.

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above.

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 12, 2025

• “No Room for Doubt (feat. Willy Mason)” – Lianne La Havas
• “Mantra” – Jordan Rakei
• “Opaline Bubbletear” – Dummy
• “Blue Dada” – Dummy
• “NEVER ENOUGH” – TURNSTILE
• “Underwater Boi” – Turnstile & BADBADNOTGOOD
• “Mambo Sun” – T. Rex
• “Osa Polar” – Melenas
• “Ponta de Lanca (Umbabarauma)” – Jorge Ben Jor
• “B.U.A” – Stereolab
• “Leggo Beast” – Gregory Isaacs
• “Mam Pe’ela Su’ure” – Florence Adooni
• “Glory” – Sault
• “Let Go” – Sonic Interventions
• “Down (feat. Dames Brown) [Natasha Diggs Extended Remix]” – The Vision
• “God Gave Me Feet For Dancing (feat. Yazmin Lacey)” – Ezra Collective
• “Conocerla (Amantes Del Futuro Edit)” – Reyna Tropical & AMANTES DEL FUTURO
• “KOFFEE” – Original Koffee
• “Sweetie” – Kokoroko
• “Musica” – Mildlife
• “Workin’ On It” – Brijean
• “Volume” – Caribou
• “Thrown Around” – James Blake
• “It’s Alright” – Baby Rose & BADBADNOTGOOD
• “DIPAD33 / W . I . D . F . U” – Saya Gray
• “Beta Pan” – Lawne
• “Levels” – oreglo
• “Fácil” – Empress Of
• “31 Bloom” – Four Tet
• “Dream State” – Kamasi Washington & André 3000
• “Anthems For A Seventeen Year-Old Girl” – Maggie Rogers & Sylvan Esso
• “Stars And Sons” – Toro Y Moi
• “7/4 (Shoreline)” – Broken Social Scene

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.