What's new with Brian Vander Ark? An album, for starters

Courtesy Photo

Let's just say Brian Vander Ark has been a busy guy.

First, there's the Midwest tour with musician and Michigan's own native son, actor Jeff Daniels.

Then, there’s a new album.

Still, Vander Ark has nudged in a concert on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Bay City's State Theatre that features songs off the new album, from his other solo albums and from his time with the Verve Pipe.

He'll be joined by Channing and Quinn from Nashville, Tenn., a group he brought to Bay City last year.

“They back me and play a some of their own stuff,” he said.

Vander Ark’s album, produced by Bill Szymczyk who worked with The Eagles, is titled “Magazine.”

“I felt like each of these songs was so different from the other,” said Vander Ark, a Grand Rapids resident. “They are like little stories in a magazine. It runs the gamut from rock and folk to a bit of twang. It’s all over the map, but cohesive, the way a magazine is cohesive with its different columns.”

And, just like a magazine, the album cover looks like a tabloid with Vander Ark running down a street, and teasers on the cover.

One of Vander Ark’s favorite “Magazine” songs is “My Little Town,” which he co-wrote with Daniels.

“It could be a city anywhere,” he said. “It’s about how we have our own little war-torn towns all over the United States. Listen to the song, and see what I’m talking about.”

The two also perform a song called “Michigan Coast to Coast” about growing up in Michigan. Vander Ark says it’s getting rave reviews all over the country.

“There are a lot of transplants all over the U.S.,” he said. “Crowds will be peppered with those people who understand the references to Pine Knob, Cobo Hall. There is a lot of humor in there that everybody understands, not just those from Michigan.”

During his stop in Bay City, one fan will be front and center: Donna Gakstatter of Bay City, who has been a fan for six years.

“I think he’s awesome,” she said. “He has awesome lyrics and an awesome voice. I could just listen to him for hours. He just has his own thing going on.”

In fact, she is such a fan, when her fiance asked if she wanted Vander Ark to perform at their wedding, her answer was yes, again.

It was pretty easy for the fiance to produce Vander Ark for the nuptials, since the fiance is not only a friend of Vander Ark’s but is also the person who books Vander Ark annually to play at the State.

The groom is Mike Bacigalupo, executive director of the State.

Gakstatter and her young son also enjoy VanderArk’s children’s music, she said.

“He’s very family-oriented,” she said. “I enjoy the kid’s concert just as much as I do the adult concert.”

As busy as this year has been for Vander Ark, he still has a few more irons in the fire, including work on another children’s album with the Verve Pipe, and translating the first children’s album, “A Family Album,” into Spanish.

He is also working on a Christmas album with his wife, singer Lux Land, and another Verve Pipe rock record.

In spite of his busy schedule, Vander Ark said he is eager to get back to Bay City to play for local fans.

“The time I spend there is always quality time because of the people,” he said. “It’s a wondrous thing. I love the State Theatre. I love the support they have for the arts and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults and $10 for those under 18, and available at the State or on the website.

For more information, call 989-892-2660.