Helping out, having fun
I was very flattered a couple of weeks ago when Rik Palieri, (pronounced Pal-air-re) a talented singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, and storyteller who happens to live in Vermont asked me to help him out with running a new radio show.
The show is on 99.3 WBTV-LP. WBTV-LP is a collaborative community media project supported by Burlington area community media centers RETN and VCAM in partnership with a dedicated crew of community volunteers, broadcasting to Burlington via the radio at 99.3FM and to Vermont and beyond online via 993wbtv.org.
Folk Talk 1
Rik did the first show solo, and had some technical issues, so he asked if I would help out. I felt very honored! I asked if I could talk to someone about getting an orientation, but Rik assured me it wasn’t necessary.
Folk Talk 2
Turned out we did have a few technical issues for Folk Talk 2, due to the previous DJ leaving things in an unexpected state, but after a few hectic moments and some confusion, we got a recording of an interview he did with Pete Seeger going and sorted the rest of the show out. It was certainly a “trial by fire”!
In the end it worked out with just a little dead air, and we had a laugh!
The Great Vermont Barn Dance Show and Live Stream
While learning as we go was a little “exciting”, it also gave us some confidence that the next show would be easier. To add some pressure though, Rik had another event scheduled, The Great Vermont Barn Dance Show and Live Stream!
This is a neat event Rik dreamed up, and is produced by Rik, Jeff Miller (of Burlington Coffehouse fame), Marianna Holzer, Rebecca Padula and others! The idea is to recreate the radio variety shows of old, but in the context of live internet streaming. Everything goes through a single microphone, and most performances are unamplified (The Starline Rhythm Boys were the first to “go electric” with a single Fender amp, but they get a pass, because: The Starline Rhythm Boys. ‘Nuff said.)
This one included The Starline Rhythm Boys, The Green Mountain Cloggers dancing to music by Leadfoot Louise, cowboy songs and rope tricks from Ernie Sites, and Storyteller Buzz Kuhns, along with Rik himself hosting. What a show!
I helped setup and “run” the Facebook Live Stream, which worked OK, but did crash two times during the show on the iPad Mini that was being used. I knew the procedure to restart the Live Stream, so got it back up and running in about 30 seconds each time. So if you want to check it out, you will need to view three separate FB videos on Rik’s timeline.
I will post links to the HD recording when it is edited and uploaded to YouTube.
Next one is in June, and will be honoring Pete Seeger.
Folk Talk 3
Inspired by Ernie Sites visit to Vermont at The Great Vermont Barn Dance Show and Live Stream earlier in the day, Rik thought a Cowboy/Western music theme would be fun. He was right!
We played a variety of classic western songs, and some lesser known gems as well. I was struck by the diversity of songs, the sophistication of the music, and the articulate lyricism of the music we listened to.
We had no real technical issues, and had some nice conversations about the artists. Here is the playlist:
- Prairie in the Sky by Mary McCaslin on The Best of… (Philo)
- Strawberry Roan by Jim Ringer on The Band of Jesse James (Philo)
- Way Out West by Mary McCaslin on The Best Of… (Philo)
- Rodeo Cowboy by Ernie Sites on Great American Hero (Independent)
- Cowboy’s Dream by Ernie Sites on Great American Hero (Independent)
- Reminiscin’ by Ernie Sites on Great American Hero (Independent)
- Ghost Riders in the Sky by Mary McCaslin on The Best of… (Philo)
- Rattlesnake Dreaming by Lon Austin on Arizona Raccoon Tours (Independent)
- Buffalo Skinners by Ramblin’ Jack Elliot on Kerouac’s Last Dream (Appleseed)
- Night Herding Song by Ramblin’ Jack Elliot on Kerouac’s Last Dream (Appleseed)
- Riding Down Canyon by Ramblin’ Jack Elliot on Kerouac’s Last Dream (Appleseed)
- Under the Glow of a Western Moon by Patti Shannon on Gone So Gone (Independent)
- The Return of Rocky Mountain Slim and Desert Rat Shorty by Woody Guthrie on Buffalo Skinners: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 4 (Smithsonian Folkways)
Amazing stuff, and you should go find it, listen to it, and buy it.
So, producing a radio show is fun, if you do it with a friend!
SongwriterTribe 