15+ Playlists to Soundtrack Your Everyday Akron Life

When I think of the best times I’ve had in Akron, almost all of them happened at Thursday’s Lounge (RIP). At a time in my life where I was still discovering who I was, there was no place I felt the most at home in my body than Thursday’s. It was a musical awakening, it was a spiritual awakening, and it was a place where you could dance in the dark among people who gave you the space to be free. I miss it so much!

I am the mother of two budding anarchists and I couldn’t be more proud. I live with my partner and two derpy cats in Copley. I am a copywriter for a marketing agency, a freelance copy editor for Signal Akron, and a former writer/editor for The Devil Strip. When the spirit moves me, I love to embroider anything and everything, garden, and lure neighborhood stray cats into my yard. Nice to meet you!

I am 31 years old, so my playlist is 31 songs that I really enjoy. It’s hard to make a playlist with my personal favorites cause there’s so many, so I decided to Sprinkle a few of my favs mixed with favorite songs made by local artists that I know/played with or just really enjoy.

I love music and specifically performing music because it’s always been the way to express my thoughts and feelings for everyone. It’s true freedom in my eyes. You can do whatever you want, take a chance, take a risk and nobody is going to tell you that you can’t do it or shouldn’t do it like that.

I call this playlist “A Day in Akron,” entirely from my biased perspective, of course. I included 33 songs (because 330 would probably be too many) that capture the feeling of waking up at my house in Goodyear Heights, commuting to where I need to go, wandering around downtown, hanging with friends in Middlebury or Highland Square and finally winding down. Some songs are by Akron artists, while others are musicians from here and there that I have rotating on other playlists. I hope you enjoy!

I cover local music for Shuffle on Ideastream and previously did the same for The Devil Strip, the Beacon Journal’s Savor magazine and other publications around Akron. I always wanted to be a music journalist. My dad played bass in local bands, and my mom was a major rock ‘n’ roll fangirl who followed Aerosmith on tour. I’ve been interviewing artists and reviewing albums since high school, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of hearing a song that resonates with you for the first time and wanting to live inside those notes and melodies.

There’s so much more to Children’s Music than meets the eye. Here are some of my favorite songs and artists from the Children’s Music / Kindie community.

Meet Mr. Jeff, the super cool musician and teacher! Mr. Jeff wears many hats as a multi-instrumentalist musician, songwriter, music teacher, audio engineer, and a former Pre-K Teacher. With a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ in hand, he spent four years guiding and inspiring groups of kiddos on a daily basis in his Preschool Classroom. Music, theatrics, and reading are three of his passions, which he enthusiastically weaves into his classes, performances, original songs and music lessons.

With almost 100,000 views on his YouTube Channel, Mr. Jeff releases really fun and educational Music Videos on his beloved channel for kids.

His live shows are nothing short of high energy interactive extravaganzas, featuring gross motor movement, social emotional learning, and rocking out! (Parents like Mr. Jeff shows, because afterwards they are READY for a nap!) But that’s not all! Mr. Jeff’s debut original Children’s Music Album, “Wonderful Wonderful! Wonderful,” is set to hit the scene in Spring 2024. This album is a treasure trove of imaginative original songs like “Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful,” “Loud in The Library,” and “Poppin’ Bubbles.” Inspired by circle time in his preschool classroom, he’s crafted new Movement songs, including “Driving In My Racecar,” “Yeah, Yeah (We’re So Bendy),” and “The Jellyfish Dances Like This.”

Mr. Jeff addresses important social emotional themes in songs like “Do What Big Kids Do” and “Lose The ‘Tude/Relax,” encouraging children to express their feelings. His innate teaching ability shines through in “Mr. Jeff’s Numbers Song,” and he wraps up the album with a heartfelt love letter to friendship in “Sleepover.”

Missing his classroom during the pandemic shutdown, from March to June Mr. Jeff’s commitment shone through as he hosted six free LiveStream shows each week, becoming a bright, friendly face for children worldwide. These shows were not just about music; they were a source of connection, learning, and pure fun for children all around the world, earning him a devoted fanbase.

His dedication to children’s music and education led him to earn the title of “Best Kids’ Jam Session 2020” by Akron Life Magazine. These days, Mr. Jeff is nurturing the next generation of rockstars through private music lessons and music videos. Beyond children’s music, Mr. Jeff, also known as Jeff Klemm, is a prolific musician with four full-length original albums, several EPs, and many singles for grownups. He’s spent the last decade traveling, touring, and performing in 41 states with his various bands.

Notably, Mr. Jeff is not just an artist but also the proud father of three wonderful children! He resides in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, with his super-talented and awesome wife, Jillian. Mr. Jeff’s journey is a harmonious blend of passion, creativity, enthusiasm and unwavering dedication, establishing him as a bright star in the realm of children’s music and education.

Get to know the diverse tastes and personalities of Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre’s dedicated booksellers through their favorite tunes. Dive into our playlist curated from their selections, offering a melodic journey that mirrors the richness of our literary collection.

The Elizabeth’s team includes lovers of all art and literature, music included. Whether our team is traveling the country to see Brandi Carlile live or waiting in digital queues for Mitski tickets, we love curling up with a good playlist and a good book.

The music and musicians of Northeast Ohio have been massively influential on me. This is a collection of one song each from some of my favorite musicians with some kind of Northeast Ohio connection from across the past 50 or so years.

I began playing guitar when I was 10, bass when I was 16, and synthesizer when I was 19. I have spent most of my life in the Akron area and began playing in bands and going to local shows when I was 15.

In 2009, I had graduated from college and moved back home to Akron. I got a job DJing at the Nut House in the Valley on Wednesday nights during $1 draft night. I got to play whatever I wanted. Things got weird.

Akron is my home. It’s such a fun, weird little town and a place where I can be myself. And thankfully, there are lots of other people who want to be themselves in Akron too. And music is an extension of that.

This a cultivation of music that Akron saxophonist Justin Tibbs has either written or has been a side man for.

I’m a versatile Saxophonist from Akron, Ohio. I’m the leader of JT’s Spark Trio and JT’s Electrik Blackout. I’ve been playing in the Akron scene since I was 16 years old and have always loved that I can create something from nothing with music.

These songs are magic, and the playlist is like a strawberry milkshake.

I’m an artist on Colemine Records (Cincinnati). As an artist in this genre, listening to these songs allows me to see where the sound is at and where it’s going.

In 2023, NCCAkron hosted a National Summit Convening of 60+ arts leaders from 19 states here in Akron. As part of their intake, we asked folx to share their latest ‘hype song.’ Whatever they might play to prepare for a performance, get through a grant, or just pump themselves up. During the public events, we then played the resulting playlist as audiences entered the spaces…hence this is the CLEAN version. Lol.

One of two national centers for choreography in the U.S., NCCAkron was incorporated in 2015. Founding Executive/Artistic Director Christy Bolingbroke moved to Akron to accept the helm in 2016. Dedicated to research and development opportunities to further dance AND advocate for the creative process and the artform as essential parts of culture in this country, NCCAkron hosts 100+ artists a year on average and this includes dancemakers and leaders from 65 cities to date.

Having spent the better part of the last 30 years in Akron, I suppose you could say the vast majority of this playlist was layered here in West Akron. I find that it organically honors my upbringing and family of origin, while still evolving and embracing the new generation.

My musical tastes were informed first by my maternal grandparents and parents. My grandfather was probably my greatest early influence. He loved jazz standards, 1940s through 1980s country music, southern gospel, and big band sounds. My grandmother leaned towards polka music, Benny Goodman, and swing music. My mother loved 1960s R&B and pop music, while my father enjoyed the heavier rock from the ’60s and ’70s. Later on, my sister, who was five years older than me, introduced me to acts like Queen, Guns N’ Roses, and Prince. As an adolescent and early teen, I found my own way moving toward hardcore, heavy metal, early hip hop, gangsta rap, punk/ska, and what would later be known as grunge. As an adult, I built a love for Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, The Meters, classical music, international music, folk music, etc.

Twenty five or 30 years later, I find myself introducing this strange musical blend to my adolescent and teenage children. It’s also fun to take in some of their music and learn about new artists.

While I’m not a native Akronite, these places & faces around town truly make this city feel like home and here’s why:

• Yoga Squared; Clementine by Wet
  • This studio is the epitome of safe and welcoming, where you can make a new friend and/or hear a new song that gets stuck in your head … in a good way. You can catch me here on Wednesdays or Fridays, bopping through my vinyasas.
• Ken Stewart’s Grille; Silly Love Songs by Wings
  • I miss the Motown band that used to play on Friday nights but now that we have kids, my husband, Jake, and I sneak out for weekday lunch dates and I must say, their midday playlists are on point. No matter what you order, the truffle fries are a must!
• 750 mL; La Vie En Rose by Louis Armstrong
  • Patio season is upon us and 750’s is one of the best spots to post up with a glass – or bottle – of rosé. Their monthly wine club is an excellent value and perfect way to expand your palate.
• PLX Running Club; Shades by Tchami
  • The best and AK-ROWDiest run crew in town! If you’re looking for a fun and inclusive group to run with, these are your people. Also, I couldn’t find the AK-ROWDY song online, so you’re getting my current favorite song to run to.
• Akron Libraries; Reading Rainbow Theme Song
  • There is so much to be said about how incredible our local libraries are! Where else can you apply for a passport AND check out a cake pan to use at home?! They’ve also recently done away with overdue fines which makes books more accessible for all patrons. #themoreyouknow
• Akron Art Museum; Vincent by Don McLean
  • We may not have a Van Gogh (yet!) but our museum is such a gem! The exhibits are so thoughtfully curated and the community offerings are one of a kind. My toddlers LOVE the Open Studio and Mess Makers workshops!
• Greystone Hall; Collide by Howie Day
  • Jake and I got married here in August of 2016 and this was our wedding song. I always thought I’d get married in DC (where I grew up), but this historic venue was the perfect backdrop for our special day and we loved showing our East Coast friends and family all that downtown Akron has to offer.
• Lock 3; Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac
  • Some of my earliest memories in Akron are at Lock 3. Jake went to law school at UofA and we spent many nights on the lawn of Lock 3 jamming out to some really great cover bands.
• Highland Square; Shakedown Street by Grateful Dead
  • I’m biased because I live here but it really is the best neighborhood in Akron. From the plethora of local businesses to PorchRokr to the W. Market St. saxophone player (IYKYK), I think Jerry says it best, “Don’t tell me this town ain’t got no heart, you just gotta poke around.”

My playlist is a collection of songs that I’m listening to in March/April 2024. I have a job at the record store Retro Attic—so these songs I’ve either purchased there and/or play during my shifts. Getting to select the music heard in the store while I’m there is one of the best parts of my job! 😆

Creating a playlist for Everyday Akron, I think, is a fun way to use pop music to express a little about yourself and maybe engage someone else to hear something new. Now I sound like Leslie Knope—yup, I’ve been watching a lot of “Parks &Recreation.”

This playlist is a curated sampling of our recently announced and exciting 2024-2025 Classical Series. These works can all be seen next year performed by Akron Symphony Orchestra at E.J. Thomas Hall!

Akron Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of classical music in Northeast Ohio, celebrating its 71st year this upcoming season. We work to enrich the lives of audiences, musicians, and our community through exceptional symphonic music, and meaningful, collaborative and educational programming that welcomes, connects, and engages a broad and diverse regional community.

This year for my birthday, a friend suggested I put together a playlist of #1 songs from my birthdate every year since I was born. (shoutout @baritasticbri) This is it. Such a cool exercise, some surprises (more Flo Rida than I would have anticipated…), some affirmations (friends who know me might have expected more Shaggy or Beyonce but I didn’t play favorites just the facts), and truly a soundtrack of my life that I get to add to from here on out.

To me, music is a reason to dance. I don’t know how people stand/sit still and just listen to music. Having lived all over and being a relatively recent transplant to Akron back in 2016, it seems only fitting the #1 song on my birthdate the actual year I was born was “New Kid in Town” by the Eagles.

Music is integral to the heartbeat of the LeBron James Family Foundation, serving as a source of inspiration and reflection for everyone involved, whether part of Team LJFF or a student at the I PROMISE School. Each morning, we collectively take a moment to pause, listen to a meaningful song, and openly reflect on our promises to ourselves and each other, and discuss how we can be better than we were the day before. This playlist is made up of songs that are fan favorites within our daily I Promise Circles, songs by artists who have performed at our Foundation’s most special events, and songs that hold sentimental value to us and remind us of years of memories from our families’ past.

We hope that at least one of these songs resonates with you, inspiring you to reflect, redefine community, and join us in our mission to transform Akron into a better place for all to live.

With a commitment to redefining community and building stronger families, The LeBron James Family Foundation invests its time, resources and passion into creating generational change for kids and families through a focus on education and co-curricular educational initiatives.

With its foundational I PROMISE Program, LJFF serves more than 1,600 Akron students and their entire families by providing them with the fundamental resources, wraparound supports and family programming they need for success in school and beyond. In 2018, it established the groundbreaking I PROMISE School, pioneering a new model for urban education. The Foundation has layered in additional resources including higher education and family supports at the I PROMISE Institute, transitional housing at the I PROMISE Village, long-term affordable housing at I PROMISE Housing, job training and financial health programming at House Three Thirty, and soon, primary health care services at I PROMISE HealthQuarters.

These life-changing resources, combined with the Foundation’s “We Are Family” philosophy, are re-defining what a family and community looks like.

Let’s go on a journey through the mind of Ray Whin on a warm, summer day, in which she has nothing to do but try not to be anxious for one minute. If that feels foreboding, imaging how I feel… 🙃

The first few songs introduce the playlist. (Perhaps what you listen to, falling asleep in the wee hours of the morning? I’m a night owl.)

Then we wake up… ease into the day… Grab a cup of coffee for these tracks.

Awake? Good. Because now you’re in love. Or have a crush. Or are vacillating between DM’ing that random person you just found on Instagram or chucking your phone into the ocean. Or perhaps the only love you have is this set of songs. That’s one secret I’ll never tell. xoxo

Now throw on your swimsuit and let’s bake in the sun. (With sunscreen on, of course.) And remember – you’re a bad bitch. Periodt. (Don’t forget to snap those thirst traps.)

But also… so are your friends. This next part is for them. Find a new theme song for that reality show y’all say you should have. 😉

Apparently we’re getting-lovey dovey again, but this section hits a little harder and adds the flair of potential heartbreak. Will they? Won’t they? Should they? Anxiety is fun!

Oh hey now it’s midnight. Time to go to sleep stay up a couple more hours to scroll your phone, read, text friends.

Yes, I’m “batshit”. So let’s “begin again”.

Hey it’s Ray. Like I said at the top, this project has been a long time coming. I’m excited that it’s here now, and I hope you enjoy these playlists and find a couple new-to-you tracks to fold into your own playlists.

I like to think I have a wide range of musical tastes, and then I meet someone and realize… perhaps I do not. (Anyone else like this?) But. I love music and it’s ability to sink into our bones, get us moving, get us crying, get us to our destination on a long drive…

In fact, if you see me driving around Akron scream-singing to Beyoncé, no you didn’t.

And if you would like to thank me for not making a playlist featuring only Beyoncé songs, you can do so by forwarding this blog post to a friend and telling them about Everyday Akron.