Music You Can't Hear on the Radio

Two unrelated notes:

First, I’ve played  President Nixon’s introduction of Johnny Cash when he performed at the White House in 1970 on the air   twice so far. It’s included on the new Johnny Cash “bootleg” album on Columbia. Here’s interesting background: http://blog.nixonfoundation.org/2011/04/rn-welcomes-the-man-in-black-to-the-white-house/.

Second, listening to the folk channel on satellite radio yesterday, I was reminded yet again of how bad radio can be even when it is programming good music. I tuned in as they were playing Bryan Bowers’ powerfully disturbing song about having been in prison. I hadn’t heard it in a long time (He recorded it decades ago) and I appreciated being reminded of it and hearing it again. As it neared the end, I wondered how they would choose to follow it – another song about jails or criminal justice? an instrumental? the dj coming on air to quietly announce what we had heard? No, they chose instead to go directly to The Roches singing “Good King Wenceslas.?

Tonight’s show seems likely to include some leftovers – songs I had been thinking about playing for Halloween before I realized I wouldn’t be doing the show last week and some about New Jersey I couldn’t fit in a few weeks back. Also, new albums including Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Stuart Duncan and Edgar Meyer’s Goat Rodeo Sessions and old ones including Tom Lehrer. And maybe a blend of two would-be anthems – one for Occupy Wall Street and one for the Tea Party.

Three only vaguely-related notes:

First, I will be away from the radio this Sunday and Frank Todd will be the guest host.

Second, if you a Facebook devotee, please go the page I am trying to create for Music You Can’t Hear On The Radio and say that you “Like” it.

Third, here’s a link to a story in the Huffington Post about Pete Seeger at the Occupy Wall Street demonstration:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/24/pete-seeger-occupy-wall-street_n_1028396.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008

A link to the article I quoted last night just before playing Professor Irwin Corey:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/11/a-familiar-figure-begs-on-the-street-but-not-for-himself/

In these days of prosperity, peace and harmony, it is easy to forget that radio station WPRB still needs your financial support.

WPRB’s Membership Drive for 2011 gets underway this Sunday, October 9th, at 7:00 pm, as Music You Can’t Hear On The Radio opens. If you can, please make a pledge during the show by calling 609-258-1033 make a contribution online atwww.wprb.com.

Over more than 35 years now, WPRB has let me spend roughly 1,300 Sunday evenings trying to create a program centered in folk music, country blues, and bluegrass that approaches my ideal of what a radio show should be. In all that time, no one connected with the station has ever even hinted that I shouldn’t – or should – play a particular song, artist or genre. It is an extraordinary gift and privilege to be in such an environment.

Yet I do not take this platform that WPRB provides for granted. Nor should you. Radio stations – particularly those that focus on music – face precarious and volatile times. More than ever, the WPRB management as well as all of us on the volunteer staff need to know that people listen to the station and value what they hear. So, please make a contribution if you can.

This Sunday’s Special Membership Drive show will feature:

- SONGS ABOUT NEW JERSEY including a live, in-studio performance during the first hour by David Kleiner & Liz Pagan (www.davidkleiner.com) whose great songs about the Garden State include “The Ballad of Clark Westfield,” “5 Governors in 8 Days,” and one mentioning all 21 counties they are trying to complete in time for the show.

- JACKIE WASHINGTON AT CLUB 47 – Later in the program, we’ll listen to the best LP I know of that has not been reissued on CD. This concert recorded in 1964 not only shows an extremely talented performer at his peak, but also captures an important historical moment. Jackie Washington – who has now faded from view but in the 1960s almost became a major folk music star – was just back from singing at Freedom Schools and demonstrations in the south. Performing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he was a troubadour spreading the message and spirit of the civil rights movement and to hear the way he seamlessly informs, entertains and inspires is breath-taking.

I hope you will call in on Sunday at 609-258-1033 or go online atwww.wprb.com and make a contribution.

There are undoubtedly many other organizations and causes competing for the limited funds you may be able to give, and I don’t pretend that WPRB is the most important of them, but even a small donation would be a big help.

Thanks,
John