One of the reasons the word "Kalamazoo" shows up in so many lyrics is because it's just a fun word to say. Rapper Jamall Bufford writes a freestyle around "Kalamazoo" and talks about creative writing in music.
More music from Jamall Bufford, a.k.a. Buff1

GUEST: Jamall Bufford, rapper and lyricist

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Call us: 734-764-7840


Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

One of the reasons the word "Kalamazoo" shows up in so many lyrics is because it's just a fun word to say. Rapper Jamall Bufford writes a freestyle around "Kalamazoo" and talks about creative writing in music.
<ul>
<li>More music from <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NvpVQtJUEiiftzX1bMA49?si=ncRGlGfrRSOf8W2se5uzEg">Jamall Bufford</a>, a.k.a. <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/5bBEAb0OfNmdXbinRi8WXk?si=-xEIjvthRgm4H0blVAluow">Buff1</a></li>
</ul>
GUEST: Jamall Bufford, rapper and lyricist
<hr>
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<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
</li>
<li>
Call us: 734-764-7840
</li>
<li>
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund

On Hand

Your Stories: What rhymes with "Kalamazoo"?

In the last episode of On Hand we theorized that ranch first collided with pizza in Michigan, and maybe even at a high school in Ann Arbor in 1992. Why not?

Well one listener, Junebug Harris, says we got it all wrong. He and his wife, Rio, were both dipping pizza - and everything else - in ranch in their high school cafeterias (Northville and Royal Oak, respectively) in the 1980s.

Here's further evidence that Michigan teenagers started the pizza/ranch trend - in the mid 1980s - probably because high school cafeteria food wasn't great, but the ranch was on point.

Junebug and Rio are musicians with a rockabilly band in southeast Michigan. Check them out!

GUESTS:


Sean "Junebug" Harris, Gen X pizza/ranch pioneer


Rio Scafone, Gen X pizza/ranch pioneer


Arrow, Gen Z pizza/ranch legacy inheritor

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:

Online Submission Form

Call us: 734-764-7840

Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

In the last episode of On Hand we theorized that ranch first collided with pizza in Michigan, and maybe even at a high school in Ann Arbor in 1992. Why not?
Well one listener, Junebug Harris, says we got it all wrong. He and his wife, Rio, were both dipping pizza - and everything else - in ranch in their high school cafeterias (Northville and Royal Oak, respectively) in the 1980s.
Here's further evidence that Michigan teenagers started the pizza/ranch trend - in the mid 1980s - probably because high school cafeteria food wasn't great, but the ranch was on point.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/junebugharris/?hl=en">Junebug</a> and <a href="https://rioscafone.bandcamp.com/track/train-to-glory">Rio</a> are musicians with a rockabilly band in southeast Michigan. <a href="https://epk.rioandtherockabillyrevival.com/index.php/band-bio/">Check them out!</a>
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Sean "Junebug" Harris, Gen X pizza/ranch pioneer
</li>
<li>
Rio Scafone, Gen X pizza/ranch pioneer
</li>
<li>
Arrow, Gen Z pizza/ranch legacy inheritor
</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Your Stories: Gen X dipped everything in ranch

There are a couple things we know for sure:

1) Michigan is the chain pizza capital of the world. 

2) Michiganders love ranch dressing and all creamy dips.

So, then, isn't it logical that the pizza-and-ranch phenomenon started in Michigan? We dip as deep as we can into this tangy question, with a crossover episode from Dough Dynasty, our limited-run series on American chain pizza history.

GUESTS:

- Wesley Taylor, ranch-with-pizza proclaimer
- Scott Wiener, NYC pizza tour leader and pizza historian
- Alex Beggs, freelance food writer
- Vicki Haber, Hidden Valley Ranch brand experience lead



Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:

Online Submission Form

Call us: 734-764-7840

Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

There are a couple things we know for sure:
1) Michigan is the chain pizza capital of the world.&nbsp;
2) Michiganders love ranch dressing and all creamy dips. So, then, isn't it logical that the pizza-and-ranch phenomenon started in Michigan? We dip as deep as we can into this tangy question, with a crossover episode from <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/dough-dynasty">Dough Dynasty</a>, our limited-run series on American chain pizza history. GUESTS:
- Wesley Taylor, ranch-with-pizza proclaimer - Scott Wiener, NYC pizza tour leader and pizza historian - Alex Beggs, freelance food writer - Vicki Haber, Hidden Valley Ranch brand experience lead 
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Did ranch + pizza start in Michigan?

It turns out that black is not the only unique color you’ll find on Michigan squirrels. We talked to John and Teri Flory about the furry neighbor they called “White Squirrel.” Plus, listener Carolyn Shalhoub tells us about a mischievous squirrel who tried to steal Christmas.  

You can find some REALLY cute pictures of White Squirrel here.

GUESTS: 
John and Teri Flory, Wyoming residents
Carolyn Shalhoub, Royal Oak resident 

Want to submit a question or story to On Hand? Do it here:

Online Submission Form

Call us: 734-764-7840

Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

It turns out that black is not the only unique color you&rsquo;ll find on Michigan squirrels. We talked to John and Teri Flory about the furry neighbor they called &ldquo;White Squirrel.&rdquo; Plus, listener Carolyn Shalhoub tells us about a mischievous squirrel who tried to steal Christmas.&nbsp;&nbsp;
You can find some REALLY cute pictures of White Squirrel&nbsp;<a href="michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-12-05/your-stories-the-white-squirrel-of-wyoming">here.</a>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>John and Teri Flory, Wyoming residents</li>
<li>Carolyn Shalhoub, Royal Oak resident&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question or story to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a> Call us: 734-764-7840 Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Your Stories: What rhymes with "Kalamazoo"?

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