In an era when so many bands chase chart numbers, this trio from Michigan proves you can follow your passion—and still pack a punch. Groove Doctors 3—made up of Mike Lawrence (guitar/vocals, Professor of Law), David Stowe (drums, Professor of Religious Studies), and Glenn Chambers (bass, Professor of History and Interim Dean)—turned their late-night jam sessions into a fully formed act. Formed in 2023, this tight-knit group has already cultivated a reputation for energetic, soulful performances laced with both deep cuts and original gems.
Their debut album Live And Let Live, released May 23, 2025 via Maintain Zen Music, is a 15‑track mix of seven originals and eight covers. It captures the lively spirit of their stage presence—warm, groove‑centered, and unapologetically authentic. The title track rings like a mantra: “Live and let live / Love and let love…”, a lyrical philosophy embodied in the trio’s approach: heartfelt, unpretentious, and rhythmic.
Musically, the album weaves rock, funk, R&B, and soul with seasoned ease. Lawrence’s guitar delivers classic Motown warmth and ’70s rock grit; Stowe and Chambers lock in rhythm so tight it feels like a long‑standing groove pact. And with guest keyboardist Dick Bourgault on board, the arrangements feel full and vibrant, yet never overproduced.
Critics like EARMILK praise the release for its “soul, sincerity, and good old‑fashioned musical chemistry,” crediting the band's refusal to chase flashiness for their authenticity and community spirit. As Flex Music Blog notes, this isn’t studio‑trickery. Instead, listeners feel like they’re dropped right into a live room session—emotionally honest and grounded.
The band’s roots as real‑world academics–turned‑soulful performers is their central allure. As Spartan Magazine quips: “Professors by day, swingin’ after dark.” Their sets include covers from Prince, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and more, alongside original tracks destined to become deep cuts of their own.
In today’s fast-paced music scene, Groove Doctors 3 offers something rare: mature musicality shaped by lifelong experience and a genuine love of groove. Live And Let Live is less about ego and more about connection—an invitation to slow down and sway together.
Groove Doctors 3 may call this a side project, but Live And Let Live sounds like a main-event debut. With seasoned musicianship and soulful sincerity, this band offers a sound anchored in authenticity—perfect for listeners craving warmth, groove, and human connection in their music.
For album streaming review, visit: https://groovedoctors3.bandcamp.com/album/live-and-let-live
