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Posted on Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 3:01 p.m.

Ann Arbor's Mayer Hawthorne pitches to replace Nickelback for Detroit Lions halftime show

By AnnArbor.com Staff

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Both the AV Club Ann Arbor and the Damn Arbor blog have pointed out that Mayer Hawthorne, the Ann Arbor native who has gone on to national success as a neo-soul musician, is pitching himself as an alternative to Nickelback as halftime entertainment for the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Day game.

The choice of Nickelback for the annual nationally televised game has sparked an online petition by a University of Michigan graduate student protesting the selection on grounds of general lameness (and the fact that Nickelback is Canadian).

As Andrew Cohen, Hawthorne grew up in Ann Arbor, graduating from Huron High School and the University of Michigan. Since moving away in 2005, Hawthorne has carved out a successful career as a singer in the neo-soul vein.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Hawthorne says that he'd be a better choice—and he'll be in the area anyway, coming home for the holiday. Hawthorne makes his pitch in this video:

So, who would you rather see—Nickelback or Mayer Hawthorne? Vote in the poll and/or leave a comment below:

Comments

say it plain

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.

A likeable marketing video, in any case! Does he get Mr. Guttman's endorsement lol?!

Dennis Guttman

Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 7:37 a.m.

He sure does! #Mayer4Detroit

dading dont delete me bro

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.

why must this guy's video insist on loading upon linking to this page? it crashes my computer almost everytime... FAIL

Tex Treeder

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 5:04 a.m.

1. Without a doubt, Nickelback is lame. 2. I really don't care who plays at halftime. I'm not a football fan and won't watch the game anyway. 3. I like the focus on a local artist, or at least someone who used to be local. I never heard of the guy, but I'm willing to check out his music. 4. Nickelback? Still lame.

The Picker

Tue, Nov 8, 2011 : 12:29 a.m.

Neo-soul ? Anyone???????????????

Marvin Face

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.

Met him at The Do-Over. Shout out to Peanut Butter Wolf!

Andrew Jason Clock

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.

I vote DJ Haircut. Oh, wait...

jgold47

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.

honestly, I had heard the guys name here and there and never listened to the music until I saw him on Letterman the other day. Now I am a huge fan. If you like motown sounding 60/70's soul, he is worth checking out.

Charlie Brown's Ghost

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.

Never heard of him

dading dont delete me bro

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.

i'd rather have nickelback than this dude.

smokeblwr

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.

How about King Diamond? He would give us all something to be thankful for.

a2citizen

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.

Mayer who?

Ben Connor Barrie

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.

Thanks for the link back to DA. I think it would be really cool to see Mayer Hawthorne play the show. That said, I don't know how likely that will be considering contracts have already been signed, or at least I assume they have been.

jgold47

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:53 p.m.

not according to the NFL who claims its not set yet...

Bob Needham

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.

I'm sure you're right, but we can dream!

aabikes

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.

Mayer Hawthorne!!

Tesla

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 8:28 p.m.

Who? lol