Enterprise Story

Music Captures Locals Attention

The music scene in Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti continues to grow. Not only do big name bands head into town at local bars, including OkGo at The Blind Pig, but they also contribute to playing at local Borders stores for fans who want to see them perform for free. In this economy it’s easier for someone to see one of their favorite artists for free rather than having to scrap up some cash to buy a ticket.
In the past seven weeks big name singers such as Howie Day, Ingrid Michaelson, Mike Doughty and Vertical Horizon have performed at the Borders store on Liberty Street. The local radio station 107.1 located in Ann Arbor, MI has been putting on these shows for the past few years.
“I attended the Howie Day performance,” said Debbie Szabo. “It was really cool to see one of my favorite singers for free and to also get his autograph, which you usually don’t get at a concert.” Szabo also mentioned that she attended seeing David Cross (Arrested Development and Year One), but he was not sponsored by 107.1.
The shows that are put on at Borders stores may not be filled with as much music as a concert, but you’re able to get up close and personal with the artist. After six or seven songs the artist will not only sign their CD’s but may also take a picture with you for free.
Last year marked the first year where the artists were recorded by 107.1 and songs are put on a CD for the public to buy. Last year they created a Live From Studio A2 Volume 1. This year they created Volume 2 that is sold in Borders stores in Ann Arbor, Brighton, Canton and Novi. Some of the artists on the CD include They Might Be Giants, Indio Girls, Brett Dennen, James Morrison and Feist. The benefits from the CD go towards the Michigan Theater itself.
The Michigan Theater, which is located across the street from the Borders store, has been open since 1927. It was almost demolished in 1979, but thanks to the community they were able to keep it open and the theater became a non-profit organization. Located on their Web site, michigantheater.org, they give you the chance to become a member and also the chance to make a donation or become a volunteer to work there.
At the shows at Borders only a small number of people show up though. “I know that Borders has singers play there, but I usually go to The Blind Pig to see local bands play,” said Michael Smith. “Not very many bands that I like play in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti, so I like check out the local ones. That and I like supporting the local bands that I enjoy listening to in hope that they’ll make it big one day.”
The crowd that attends the Borders singer events does not consist of as many people as a concert, but they are able to make sales on the artists CD’s. This is good for Borders considering in the past couple of months according to detnews.com Border had to close almost 200 Waldenbooks stores (Waldenbooks is a company that is a branch of Borders). Courtney who is a Borders employee located on Lohr Road said that even though they were really busy this past month, she knows that all Borders stores are struggling right now because of people buy books on line or buying Kindles.
The Borders on Liberty Street is not the only store that holds an opportunity for people to enjoy some of the favorite famous people though. Borders located on Lohr Road in the past few months has had Ellen Hopkins (young adult writer of books such as Crank and Burned), but also Mitch Albom (author of Tuesdays with Morrie and Have a Little Faith). Channel 107.1 does not sponsor them though. “I think it’s really cool that they have singers at one of our stores,” said Courtney from the Borders on Lohr Road. “We get famous authors here and I like that, but it would be neat to have artists here too so we can have more of a variety for the customers at our store.”
During the month of December channel 107.1 has not had any artists booked according the Borders.com. As of right now they also don’t have anyone booked for the month of January or February. 107.1 was unavailable over the phone and through e-mail for questioning on why this was. “I really wish that they would book some more artists soon,” said Szabo. “I enjoy supporting the artists and seeing them perform.”
Channel 107.1 is also involved in another charities and benefits. They did a food drive called Rockin’ for the Hungry where they gather for food and give it to non-profit organizations. They also support the Humane Society of Huron Valley by giving you a link to their Web site. They also have a link to Cumulus Jobs so they can provide an opportunity for their listeners to find a job.

Query Letter

Lindsay Pickell

(555)555-5555


December 9, 2009

Tony Dearing
Annarbor.com

Dear Mr. Dearing,

Music Captures Locals Attention is a 1,000 word story about how Borders in downtown Ann Arbor continues to book more big name singers every year thanks to channel 107.1. The story is targeted for annarbor.com.

The story touchs on people from the surrounding community who have been to a show at the Borders store on Liberty Street. It also grabs the opinions from people who have yet to see a show at Borders and why they’ve never been to one. The story is to inform people about the artists that perform at Borders so people in the community know more about what’s going on. It also touchs on what 107.1 does with all of the recordings of the artists performances.

I have been writing since I was in middle school. I am also getting ready to graduate from Eastern Michigan University on December 20, 2009 with a minor in Journalism. This means that I have taken classes and written many articles to accomplish the goal of graduating. The main goal behind this article is about music that is performed at Borders and I have attended a concert so I know first hand how much fun they really are.

I have enclosed the article with this letter for you to reply. If you would perfer, you can e-mail. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,




Lindsay Pickell

Article #3

Students Stressing Out

An Adrian High School graduate was found dead in his fraternity house last week at 5:40 in the morning. His father had said that even though he had been drinking that night that his son was also dealing with being overtired, pushing himself to the limit and was working too hard.
Students these days are prone to pushing themselves to the limit with homework, work and extracurricular activities. Other issues that may be a cause of stress are being away from home for the first time, problems at home, peer pressure and social acceptance. “It’s an adjustment to a whole new life, where you’re trying out new identities and trying to find your place in a social group all over again. We used high school to get into college, and now that college is determining our future, I think that puts a lot of weight on our shoulders,” said freshman Alaynah Faddatz of Ferris State University. A lot of these stressors can be seen in a student’s new sleeping habit along with their new eating habit (most commonly known as the freshman fifteen from all of the unhealthy college food they eat). It’s very important for college students to learn how to manage their time between having fun, working, doing homework and still finding time to their selves.
In 2005, the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) surveyed 17,000 college students. Twenty-five percent of the students reported they have "felt so depressed it was difficult to function" three to eight times in the past 12 months. Twenty one percent of the students reported that they "seriously considered suicide." (lovetoknow.com).
The suggestion that should be made to students that are feeling the stress of college is to talk to someone about it, take a break or even lighten the load of work for the next semester. “You don’t really know what to expect yet and it’s a new adjustment and setting than high school. There’s more freedom so procrastination is a big problem which always stresses me,” said freshman Kayla Ruttinger of Western Michigan University. “I usually try to plan out my day and plan out what I need to get done each week and hopefully I stay on track. I use a planner and sticky notes to remind me of important things I need to do. I always try to leave some time to relax and go out with my friends.”
Another suggestion is to be organized. Students should plan out a study time and recreation time for themselves so they are guaranteed to have time to themselves. “I actually sit down every Monday and block out studying time for my entire week and that makes it a lot less stressful when I have a constructive schedule set,” said Faddatz. “I would suggest to incoming freshmen to schedule classes around ratemyprofessor.com and take naps.”
Students are trying to adjust to a new life when they enter into college. The every day stress can get to some students and may result in drinking, suicide, drugs or even dropping out college all together. These days students need to learn how to handle this stress whether that takes place in high school or a class that has to be taken in a students freshmen year.

Link to original story:
http://www.lenconnect.com/news/x215407497/Adrian-student-mourned