Professors by Day, Soulful Rockers by Night
In an era where music often feels algorithm-driven, Groove Doctors 3 emerge as a rare and refreshing anomaly. Formed in 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan, the band isn’t made up of fresh-faced hopefuls chasing stardom, but seasoned minds from Michigan State University — scholars who know a thing or two about history, culture, and art. Professors Michael Lawrence (guitar/vocals), David Stowe (drums), Glenn Chambers (bass), and Dick Bourgault (keys) bring not just academic credentials, but a lifetime of musical passion to the stage. And their debut album, Live And Let Live, released May 23, 2025 via Maintain Zen, proves that intellect and groove are not mutually exclusive.
The Album: A Lab of Sound and Soul
Live And Let Live is more than a debut — it’s a declaration. A 14-track collection that spans rock, R&B, jazz, and psychedelic pop, the album is both a technical feat and an emotional journey. It’s an experiment in genre fusion that never loses its groove. You can hear echoes of Prince, Stevie Wonder, and even a hint of Steely Dan in the layered arrangements and lush harmonies. But don’t be mistaken — Groove Doctors 3 aren’t impersonating their heroes. They’re channeling inspiration into something wholly their own.
The title track, Live And Let Live, sets the tone. With a silky rhythm section, soulful vocals, and lyrics calling for grace and mutual understanding, the song reflects the band’s heart: passionate, thoughtful, and inclusive. Available to stream on Bandcamp and YouTube, the single is already gaining traction for its infectious groove and positive message.
Academic Rock with a Social Pulse
Groove Doctors 3 self-describe as “academic rock with soul,” but their music reaches far beyond the lecture hall. There’s a lived-in, unpolished warmth to their sound that feels both authentic and urgent. Many of the album’s tracks explore themes of social justice, resilience, and humanity, showing that their songwriting, like their teaching, seeks to elevate and enlighten.
In songs like Shadow Work and In the Weeds, the band dives into introspective territory, examining the hidden layers of identity and the quiet struggles of daily life. Meanwhile, tracks like Keep the Lights On pulse with funk-driven optimism, inviting listeners to dance even in the face of uncertainty.
A Live Energy That’s Infectious
One of the most surprising qualities of Live And Let Live is how live it feels — each track pulsates with raw, real-time energy, as though you’re front row at a packed club in Detroit or Chicago. This is a band that thrives in live performance, and their recordings don’t sterilize that vitality. Instead, the album captures the electricity of a jam session between friends who know how to listen to each other, play off one another, and lose themselves in the music.
It’s no surprise that Groove Doctors 3 is steadily building a loyal Midwest fanbase. Their concerts blend technical skill with contagious joy, making them a must-see act for lovers of classic and contemporary grooves alike.
Bridging Two Worlds: Music and Mind
What makes Groove Doctors 3 truly unique is their dual existence. As educators and musicians, they are living proof that art and academia can co-exist in rich, meaningful ways. Their music isn’t just a side project — it’s an extension of their life philosophy. They bring to their songwriting the same depth, reflection, and curiosity that fuels their scholarship, creating songs that entertain while sparking thought.
Their story — of professors turning bandmates, of musical dreams lived out later in life — is itself an inspiration. It’s never too late to plug in the guitar, step behind the drum kit, and make something honest and alive.
Connect, Stream, and Experience the Groove
Groove Doctors 3 aren’t just a band; they’re a movement of creativity without boundaries. Whether you’re a fan of old-school funk, improvisational jazz, conscious rock, or genre-defying soundscapes, Live And Let Live offers something to groove to — and something to think about.
Stay connected with GD3:
- 🌐 Website: groovedoctors3.com
- 🎥 YouTube: Groove Doctors 3 Channel
- 📘 Facebook: Groove Doctors 3 on Facebook
- 📸 Instagram: @groovedoctors3
- 🎧 Spotify: Listen on Spotify
- 💿 Bandcamp: Stream the Album
Final Diagnosis: This Groove Heals
In a musical landscape cluttered with fleeting trends and hollow hooks, Groove Doctors 3 offer something enduring — music with heart, soul, smarts, and sweat. Live And Let Live isn’t just an album title — it’s a philosophy that radiates from every riff, beat, and lyric. The groove is real, and it’s just what the doctor ordered.
