August 12, 2007

A 9th consecutive record day of 100+ degree heat in Bama has me feeling about as unmotivated as I can get. Can't even take a dip in the pool to cool off as you might as well jump into a hot tub. Seriously, this heat blows. It is making me a miserable little bitch. OK, enough whining, let's talk about music so I can get my mind off the fact that the worst heat wave in the history of Alabama is melting my life right now.

Sunday was a busy day on the Coffee House with two entertaining and able artists stopping by for a hang.

First up was Amy LaVere whose CD Anchors & Anvils (Archer Records) has been on regular rotation in my player for the past several months. You can check her music out at MySpace or Archer Records.

I expected this to be a good performance but it ended up being an excellent one. Nothing like a demure woman with a slap base to heat the studio up on a Sunday morning. If you are looking for the next Norah Jones, LaVere just might be the one. Beautiful voice, engaging personality and songs, cute as a button and did I mention she plays the slap bass? I've been answering emails and calls from listeners all week about her and they have all been extremely positive. As I sat and listened to her, I was reminded of a band that I have love since college called Fairground Attraction (some of you might remember them). Gonna have to keep an eye on this one.

Next up was the patron saint of singer-songwriters, Cary Brothers. Out on the road promoting his long awaited release, Who You Are (bluhammock), Brothers came in and put up with my harassment long enough to play four songs and get a few shots in on me. Nothing like interviewing one of your friends. Listeners commented that they couldn't believe how we were ragging on each other but they all seem to agree that it made for entertaining radio. All joking aside, I have the utmost respect for Brothers who makes his life championing the singer-songwriter and focusing on building a scene and community for artists in a world that so often ignores them and their genuine music. His work on the Hotel Cafe alone is a testament to his importance to music today. Check him out at MySpace or Cary Brothers.

While in Boulder, I met a kindred spirit working on the opposite end of the country to spread a similar Gospel to the one I tirelessly work to spread. Her name is Rosanna Lee and her program is called The Deep End. It runs on KCSN 88.5 FM, Saturdays from 9 PM - Midnight. Check out the show at MySpace and if you aren't servicing her with music, get on it.

Speaking of, I figured out while in Boulder that many of the radio folks don't realize that the station I am on, WYSF 94.5 FM, recently switched to a Hot AC format. We can't start reporting our playlist until after the 2nd ratings book, which is just around the corner, but if you are in radio promotions, you really should reach out to my PD, Steve Robison, and make sure that you start servicing him with new music as he is a music guy, will listen to and add new music, and is an all around good dude to boot. Check out the station online at 945fmradio.com (don't forget to stream my show live on Sundays from 10AM-2PM Central) . I feel like the station has something good going and hope to be a part of building another community driven station that exposes folks to music they can't hear anywhere else in town.

Peace,
Reg

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