When Robert "Snap" Montgomery left work and entered a Battle Creek tavern for a drink, little did he know his life would change. Once he finished his drink, the bartender took his glass and broke it!

That racist act fueled him and his wife, Helen, to open a club that would welcome African American clientele. That club was the El Grotto Lounge.

The El Grotto Lounge in Battle Creek, Michigan, was the proving ground for musicians, vocalists, and comedians for nearly 50 years. Junior Walker and the All Stars, Al Green, comedian Jimmy Lynch, and many others were encouraged to share their talents on the quaint stage. For many, that exposure and encouragement from the owners enabled entertainers to move beyond Battle Creek and onto a national and even global music arena.

Here I Stand highlights the music history of this city as told by those who lived it.