Upcoming Shows
2026sun15feb7:00 pm7:45 pmFreewheelin' 187-"Hearts Go On" | Sun/2026-FEB-15
Time
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video,
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video, stories, plus occasional guests with attendant shenanigans and blarney.
TIPS accepted (not expected):
https://www.paypal.me/joscarb
BANDCAMP– get Like Kerouac by J Oscar Bittinger – Recorded with Chris Ranney & Mark Hugger
Watch FREEWHEELIN’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joscarb/streams
Virtual Event Details
Event access information coming soon, Please check back again closer to event start time.
Organizer
J Oscar Bittinger/Octoberday Productions
2026sun15mar7:00 pm7:45 pmFreewheelin' 188 | Sun/2026-MAR-15
Time
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video,
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video, stories, plus occasional guests with attendant shenanigans and blarney.
TIPS accepted (not expected):
https://www.paypal.me/joscarb
BANDCAMP– get Like Kerouac by J Oscar Bittinger – Recorded with Chris Ranney & Mark Hugger
Watch FREEWHEELIN’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joscarb/streams
Virtual Event Details
Event access information coming soon, Please check back again closer to event start time.
Organizer
J Oscar Bittinger/Octoberday Productions
2026sun26apr3:00 pm5:00 pm"Ghosts & Spirits" / Acoustic Stew 2026
Time
Event Details
2026 APRIL-26 | J Oscar Bittinger Tickets available NOW > https://grcmc.org/event/j-oscar-bittinger/1126 The “Ghosts & Spirits” show begins with an intimate, “dark wood” acoustic set –
Event Details
2026 APRIL-26 | J Oscar Bittinger
Tickets available NOW
> https://grcmc.org/event/j-oscar-bittinger/1126
The “Ghosts & Spirits” show begins with an intimate, “dark wood” acoustic set – a song arc of hauntings from things past and the present day struggle to find spirits to direct and the guide in misty days ahead. The “ghosts and spirits” are not so much “spooky things”, but unsettling ones of the current age and aging. The mood will be underscored with sound design and story.
Set 2 will feature songs to brighten up the afternoon with a free-ranging FM-radio-style playlist of J Oscar’s “FolkRockicana”. Groove and grit provided by musical compatriots Mark Hugger (bass), MVH (drums + vocals), and Chris Ranney (keys).
- General admission – $20
($15 for GRCMC members*) - ONLY 61 SEATS – get your tickets today!
- SUNDAY afternoon – 3:00 PM
- Doors and Bar open at 2:30pm
NOTE: must be GRCMC member to buy beer or wine
*Purchase one-year membership for $15 at the door
$5 discount on ALL GRCMC events – including Acoustic Stew shows
Organizer

Acoustic Stew Music Guild
Please join us in the intimate listening space of the Dirk Koning Cinema in Wealthy Theatre at 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506
Become a sponsor.
Contact Bear Berends
2026sun17may3:00 pm5:00 pmAmericana Sundays: An Afternoon w/ J Oscar Bittinger & Dan Bracken
Time
Event Details
Americana singer/songwriter song swap! J Oscar Bittinger toured the Midwest as a singer-songwriter in the late 70s, then cofounded the ‘80s/’90s Musician Magazine recognized pop-rock
Event Details
Americana singer/songwriter song swap!
J Oscar Bittinger toured the Midwest as a singer-songwriter in the late 70s, then cofounded the ‘80s/’90s Musician Magazine recognized pop-rock band Pillar of Fire. As his need for fire and noise quelled in the beginning of the 21st Century, JOB began to delve back into traditional acoustic styles. First with The Folk Bros (founded with Bruce Zeeuw and Steve Aldrich) – purveyors of hard-edged folk with a sense of humor; followed by Oxter/Mahone, a rotating party of “Celtic Roots, American Rhythms”; and continuing in the singer-songwriter duo Dublin Station (with Lauran Hardin) – that combined traditional Irish tunes with original songs that “leaned Celtic” – and sometimes adding beats and grooves.
Songwriter and finger-style guitarist Daniel Bracken plays music informed by his rich history as a recordist and producer for Public Media, and as a performer in the US and Ireland. In recent years, Dan has delved deeper into personal songcraft, a wholehearted mix expressing the crossroads of spirituality, wistfulness, and humor. His songs embrace many of the storytelling qualities of traditional Irish and American roots music.
- General admission – $25
- EVENTBRIGHT TICKETS
- SUNDAY afternoon – 3:00 PM
Upcoming Shows
2026sun15feb7:00 pm7:45 pmFreewheelin' 187-"Hearts Go On" | Sun/2026-FEB-15
Time
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video,
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video, stories, plus occasional guests with attendant shenanigans and blarney.
TIPS accepted (not expected):
https://www.paypal.me/joscarb
BANDCAMP– get Like Kerouac by J Oscar Bittinger – Recorded with Chris Ranney & Mark Hugger
Watch FREEWHEELIN’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joscarb/streams
Virtual Event Details
Event access information coming soon, Please check back again closer to event start time.
Organizer
J Oscar Bittinger/Octoberday Productions
2026sun15mar7:00 pm7:45 pmFreewheelin' 188 | Sun/2026-MAR-15
Time
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video,
Event Details
“Freewheelin’ with J Oscar” brings you a LIVE free-ranging 1/2 hour of J Oscar original and traditional songs, with video, stories, plus occasional guests with attendant shenanigans and blarney.
TIPS accepted (not expected):
https://www.paypal.me/joscarb
BANDCAMP– get Like Kerouac by J Oscar Bittinger – Recorded with Chris Ranney & Mark Hugger
Watch FREEWHEELIN’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@joscarb/streams
Virtual Event Details
Event access information coming soon, Please check back again closer to event start time.
Organizer
J Oscar Bittinger/Octoberday Productions
2026sun26apr3:00 pm5:00 pm"Ghosts & Spirits" / Acoustic Stew 2026
Time
Event Details
2026 APRIL-26 | J Oscar Bittinger Tickets available NOW > https://grcmc.org/event/j-oscar-bittinger/1126 The “Ghosts & Spirits” show begins with an intimate, “dark wood” acoustic set –
Event Details
2026 APRIL-26 | J Oscar Bittinger
Tickets available NOW
> https://grcmc.org/event/j-oscar-bittinger/1126
The “Ghosts & Spirits” show begins with an intimate, “dark wood” acoustic set – a song arc of hauntings from things past and the present day struggle to find spirits to direct and the guide in misty days ahead. The “ghosts and spirits” are not so much “spooky things”, but unsettling ones of the current age and aging. The mood will be underscored with sound design and story.
Set 2 will feature songs to brighten up the afternoon with a free-ranging FM-radio-style playlist of J Oscar’s “FolkRockicana”. Groove and grit provided by musical compatriots Mark Hugger (bass), MVH (drums + vocals), and Chris Ranney (keys).
- General admission – $20
($15 for GRCMC members*) - ONLY 61 SEATS – get your tickets today!
- SUNDAY afternoon – 3:00 PM
- Doors and Bar open at 2:30pm
NOTE: must be GRCMC member to buy beer or wine
*Purchase one-year membership for $15 at the door
$5 discount on ALL GRCMC events – including Acoustic Stew shows
Organizer

Acoustic Stew Music Guild
Please join us in the intimate listening space of the Dirk Koning Cinema in Wealthy Theatre at 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506
Become a sponsor.
Contact Bear Berends
2026sun17may3:00 pm5:00 pmAmericana Sundays: An Afternoon w/ J Oscar Bittinger & Dan Bracken
Time
Event Details
Americana singer/songwriter song swap! J Oscar Bittinger toured the Midwest as a singer-songwriter in the late 70s, then cofounded the ‘80s/’90s Musician Magazine recognized pop-rock
Event Details
Americana singer/songwriter song swap!
J Oscar Bittinger toured the Midwest as a singer-songwriter in the late 70s, then cofounded the ‘80s/’90s Musician Magazine recognized pop-rock band Pillar of Fire. As his need for fire and noise quelled in the beginning of the 21st Century, JOB began to delve back into traditional acoustic styles. First with The Folk Bros (founded with Bruce Zeeuw and Steve Aldrich) – purveyors of hard-edged folk with a sense of humor; followed by Oxter/Mahone, a rotating party of “Celtic Roots, American Rhythms”; and continuing in the singer-songwriter duo Dublin Station (with Lauran Hardin) – that combined traditional Irish tunes with original songs that “leaned Celtic” – and sometimes adding beats and grooves.
Songwriter and finger-style guitarist Daniel Bracken plays music informed by his rich history as a recordist and producer for Public Media, and as a performer in the US and Ireland. In recent years, Dan has delved deeper into personal songcraft, a wholehearted mix expressing the crossroads of spirituality, wistfulness, and humor. His songs embrace many of the storytelling qualities of traditional Irish and American roots music.
- General admission – $25
- EVENTBRIGHT TICKETS
- SUNDAY afternoon – 3:00 PM
....compelling and singable choruses
Here’s what I love: all the sensory images you use that place me directly in the world of your songs and the compelling and singable choruses.
From a song
Bully Boys
Bully Boys
Hangin’ out on the street corner
Bully Boys
Gotta a sneer for everybody
Bully Boys
In a gang you can talk much bigger
Bully Boys
Always pickin’ on someone weaker
You can say what you want to me
But you leave my family outta this
I walk soft but keep a clenched fist
Against you, you
Bully Boys
Marchin’ round in a war party
Bully Boys
Scare the little ones to steal their candy
Bully Boys
Get your victim in a shoving circle
Bully Boys
Out where teacher can find you
All the kids on the playground got to
Do things your way OR ELSE
(Or else..) they got a beating coming
From one of you
Bully Boys
Neighborhood’s on edge
Wond’rin what’s gonna happen next
They say you need protection
(But they’re makin’ all the threats…)
Once you think they got you beat
Bullies gonna rule your street
But the cornered mouse jumps the farthest
The little dog bites back the hardest
Bully Boys
You can’t please ‘em and you can’t reason with
Bully Boys
Ain’t gonna run from you no more
Bully Boys
Make an alliance with no allegiance to
Bully Boys
Gonna even up the score
Maybe we’ll meet down by the river
Where the ice is thin
Wanna be better than the bully
But some never back down till the boot’s put in
Sometimes
You got to give it back to those
Bully Boys
Today may be the day
That they run away….
2005: August 1, 2, 8, 9 | 2009: May 10; June 19, 20 | 2010: September 2, 18