The best part of an awards night is what happens before the awards, when the room is still half-chaos and half-magic. We posted up live at Aretha’s Jazz Cafe for the Michigan Music Awards and let the night come to us: artists sliding in from soundcheck, crews juggling cameras, friends yelling hellos across the room, and that unmistakable Detroit grit holding it all together even when the weather does not cooperate.

We talk with rising and established voices across the Detroit music scene and Michigan music community, starting with Michaela Prue as she previews two unreleased tracks and shares what it feels like to bring new songs home. Hip-hop standout Ryan Scott drops in to talk about the grind since 2017, the momentum that comes from consistent releases and touring, and why impact matters more than hype. We also catch the red carpet perspective with videographer Jason Span of Wingspan LLC, because in today’s music industry, performance and content move together.

Then we zoom out with the people who keep stages open. Venue leader Ted Nagy explains how the Jazz Cafe books artists, why live programming is nonstop, and what it takes to keep a Detroit venue calendar moving seven days a week. Add in stories from South by Southwest with Louie Lee and updates from the Michigan Music Awards team, and you get a backstage snapshot of how independent artists, venues, and supporters build something that lasts.

If you love Detroit live music, local awards shows, and real conversations with the people doing the work, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find Roadworks Records.

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