Welcome to the end of the year, whether you like it or not! Read the rest of this entry »

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I’m going to start by saying that I do love me some “Mercy”. I think it’s a perfect summer pop song. Read the rest of this entry »

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So, a couple of years ago, I found myself in a focus group that WXPN called a “Listening Board”. It was hosted by Bruce Warren and Roger LaMay, who are both the program director and the general manager of the station.

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It’s the same thing every year; XPN puts on a four day music festival and then we’re asked to make lists of our favorites of eight hundred, eighty five something or another into to a “top ten” list format based upon our preferences.

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Okay, I admit it. Read the rest of this entry »

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Back in late November, 2006, while I was still digging on “The Information” by Beck, there was one song that caught my ear.

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It’s sad to say, but most opening acts are treated like the cousins of your family that you really don’t like, while the headliner act is given all of the glory.

Even worse, there’s usually one huge musical disconnect between the opener and the main act.

A couple of years ago, I waited almost three hours for a Ryan Adams show. The opening act were two teachers from the local school system who tried their best, but…

They couldn’t sing, nor could they play their way around the block. And yes, they were just bloody awful, but I’ll give them all of the credit in the world for trying their act out in a very small venue all filled up with liquored up Ryan Adams fans.

A couple of years ago, Wilco played a show at the most awful, fan-unfriendly place in Philly called “Festival Pier”, which is one huge slab of concrete set on the banks of the Delaware River, with very few pleasantries (meaning that the good “Flying Fish” beer ran out early).

Guess who opened up for Wilco? My Morning Jacket, and I swear there were only 100 of us dancing around the front of the stage to this band, hair, beards, Chucky T’s and all. Jim James said, “Wow, this is like playing a backyard barbeque!”

So, last Friday, Paul and I went to see Danielia Cotton at “World Café Live”, and we love her!

But, her opener, a band called “The Alternate Routes” really perked up my ears. I picked up both of their CD’s at their merch table, and it’s clear to see that this band has both songwriting and pure musicianship ready to go…with a full band or an acoustic one.

So, don’t ever make the mistake of showing up late for a show just because you’d care to miss the opening act.

You just may miss the “next big thing”!

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It’s dark, rainy and windy outside. I’ve come back from my chiropractor where my right shoulder has been through the usual therapy for a pinched nerve. Read the rest of this entry »

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So, let’s see…I love Sally, Carly, Daniela, Ella, Joni, Nina, Linda, Dusty, Dolly, Shelby, Bonnie, Amy, Kirsty and, of course, Emmylou!   Read the rest of this entry »

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Well, so, it’s spring, and we have to agree that it’s time for our favorite public radio stations to raise money. I believe it’s all bit earlier than it usually is because of the, umm…coincidence between of our tax refunds as well as the rebates, you know. Read the rest of this entry »

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With no elitist apologies, I’m a huge fan of public radio.  

Sure, I’m happy to see that indie rock has a new home on commercial radio in many markets, replacing those ungodly “classic rock” stations, and very little makes my “Triple AAA” music heart beat harder and faster than hearing there’s a new station with that format. Read the rest of this entry »

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