“What’s goin’ on?”
Mitch Manns greeted everyone with these words. His greeting was silenced on March 18, 2016.
Mitch was an icon in the southeast Michigan music scene, especially in the bluegrass and country arenas. He had a long and storied music career, including session work in Nashville in his younger days. You could also have found him traveling and playing with the likes of Leroy Van Dyke, Ferlin Husky, Jean Shepard, Jimmy Martin, and Vernon McIntyre. His last bluegrass gig was with Wendy Smith and Blue Velvet.
Mitch was equally at home jamming in a small group with his old Martin guitar or playing his electric guitar on a brightly lit stage. He
and 18 year old son Jesse formed one of the great father/son duos in the area. Mitch is survived by wife Sherrie, sons Steven and Jesse, sisters Monica and Marisa, father Ben, and three grandchildren. A big thank you to Monica Adams for helping me keep the facts straight!
Mitch’s family and friends gathered at the Huron Valley Eagles on April 2 to pay him tribute. Matt Thacker and North Back 40 served as host band – Mitch had been playing mandolin with them. Dana Cupp and Jesse Manns shared MC duties. Nearly 30 musicians – from ages 6 to 76 – formed seven or so groups to sing in his honor. Son Jesse took the stage with his father’s old Martin in the finest tribute of the evening.
We’ll all miss —
“What’s goin’ on?”
