Veteran journalist and host John Sinkevics keeps the spotlight on talented West Michigan bands and the burgeoning regional concert scene. Local Spins focuses attention on a host of important and eclectic Grand Rapids area bands and solo artists, through interviews, live in-studio performances, and spins of some of the best new local recordings, often heard for the first time anywhere on the radio!
Keeping the spotlight on talented West Michigan bands and the burgeoning regional concert scene: That’s been a mission of John’s since becoming a lead music critic and entertainment writer for The Grand Rapids Press 15 years ago.
John hosts the weekly “Local Spins Live” radio segment on WYCE 88.1 FM every Friday at 11 am. John also sponsors a Local Spin of the Year award for West Michigan bands/artists and organizes regular “Local Spins Live” concerts featuring local and regional acts, along with posting CD reviews of regional artists and bands. John was honored in early 2012 by community radio station WYCE-FM at the Jammie Awards as a Legacy Award winner, recognized as a “Community Partner” for his support of the local music scene.
He holds an honors degree in journalism from the University of Michigan and is co-founder of The Honeytones, once described as “the deans of Grand Rapids’ pop-rock scene” and a band that stages an annual Feedback concert to benefit Access of West Michigan’s food pantries for the needy.
He’s also a diehard fan of the Detroit Tigers and, especially, the Detroit Lions, proudly wearing a “Rebuilding Since ’57” T-shirt which, sadly, has proven to be the case year in and year out for this underachieving NFL franchise.