Local artists get their shot at fame with downtown Detroit recording studio

DETROIT (FOX 2) - You've heard of Hockeytown, but what about Musictown?

It's free, it's local and it's live. 

"If you like local people who haven't really made their name yet, but are trying to get noticed, this is what you have to check out," said Frank Williams Jr. of WYCD, "Every Tuesday at noon, live on Musictown Detroit's Facebook page on a segment called the Homegrown Happy Hour."

The brainchild of area-ticket retailers like Entercom Detroit and 313 presents, there's now a recording studio above the Hockeytown Cafe, available to anyone interested in getting their music out there. 

"It's incredible, it's so fabulous," said Julianna Ankley, a local singer. "I still think of Detroit being one of the major hubs of music in the world for all time. I think for a little while it may have gotten lost for the local people, but when they build things like this and make this a part of Detroit, it helps people create a center for us."

While Tuesdays are for Homegrown Happy Hour, Wednesday nights are open mic evenings. The people working to break the mold that confines Detroit's traditional music, like Motown and Detroit Rock City are happy to offer any genre of music - from jazz to hip hop. 

"It's wonderful there's an outlet for local talent who can come and showcase their gifts and hats off to frank for providing that opportunity.  It's awesome for the city and for the musicians," said Roger Noonan, another local musician.

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/MusicTownDetroit/.