I was born in a log cabin, and raised on the Beatles, border radio, Van Morrison and my parent's classical music collection. I've been listening to country music since I was four (if Charlie Rich and Lynn Anderson really count...) and have been playing the stuff on the radio since 1986. Recently I worked as the Music Director of KALX 90.7FM, the greatest little freeform station in the whole wide world. Now I are a writer.
Mostly, this site is devoted to some of my many musical passions. Hardcore country music, such as honkytonk, western swing and bluegrass, plays an embarrassingly large part in my life -- so there's information on labels and artists who are a little off the beaten track, such as Wynn Stewart and Melba Montgomery -- and of course, there is the "Webb Site", devoted entirely to Webb Pierce, one of the greatest country singers ever. I also have sites devoted to Caetano Veloso, Jorge Ben, Gal Costa and a semi-comprehensive guide to Brazilian music, and as many of my other diverse interests as I can fit online without having to sell my ranch to pay the Internet bills...
Independent media will also be a major focus of this site: the broadcast and print media are now being so rapidly absorbed by big, ugly, boring multinational corporations that We The People are in serious danger of losing public access altogether. What can be done to combat or turn back the onslaught of bland cookie-cutter monopolization? And how long will it be before cyberspace gets divvied up the same way? I don't have all the answers, but I sure can chat a blue streak about it! Uh, well... that is I could talk a blue streak about it, if I weren't so busy with all my charity work...
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Guess what? I'm back on the air at KALX 90.7FM, in Berkeley, California. Live far away? No problem... the station also broadcasts online, for those with the bandwidth... just look for the "Listen Now" link on the main page. Feel free to call me and make a request! These days I'm mostly "subbing," whenever they can't sucker anyone else into doing a show, so it's kind of hit-or-miss as far as when to hear me. Just listen for the guy who talks way, way too much during his mic breaks, but plays a lot of nice country and world music and pop. And some big band. And the occasional old-time radio piece.
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Also, for a peek at my "real" life, here are some of my in-print music reviews, which have been archived online...
Gawd! What a blowhard -- take me back to the Slipcue Main Page!
Treehuggers Unite! Ken Starr Eat My Shorts! My Goofy Politics
Share Your Thoughts, But Present Them Well -- Tips On Proper Correspondence