Music Therapy

Call it an occupational hazard from nearly twenty years of working in the music and radio biz but I often think in terms of song lyrics. Sometimes the most mundane conversations can trigger a lyrical response in my head. “Americans love their baseball.” Because I’m an American who is bored to tears by baseball I … Continue reading Music Therapy →

Fairytale of Boston – Introducing Shane MacGowan onstage

When it comes to Christmas classics few songs warm the cockles of this cynical old heart like the Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York.” It’s simply the best! The song is almost 30 years old and still speaks volumes to many of us irreverent revelers. Too many Christmas Carols are just too damn sappy. I love … Continue reading Fairytale of Boston – Introducing Shane MacGowan onstage →

VP Nominee Kaine a Replacements Fan?

It was recently reported that during an interview in 2006, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee, loves the Replacements. He stated that their 1984 album, Let It Be, is one of his all time favorites. If you had told me the album that contained such Alternative anthems as I Will Dare, Unsatisfied, … Continue reading VP Nominee Kaine a Replacements Fan? →

Drag me to the sea…

I had dinner last night with my old pal, Morning Guy Tai – some would call him the original Duke of Dead Air! We reminisced about our days working at WFNX. It got me thinking of some of my old stories and I woke up this morning remembering this behind the scenes ditty from the … Continue reading Drag me to the sea… →

St Paddy’s Day Top Ten Tunes

For St Patrick's Day, this is my top ten playlist of Irish tunes! Sláinte! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_klil_eOEY Clannad were a band of siblings and uncles from Donegal who mixed folk, tradition and spiritual (alright, new age) music. I always loved Máire Ní Bhraonáin's voice and it blends beautifully with a then young, up and coming singer … Continue reading St Paddy’s Day Top Ten Tunes →

“Discovering” Salem

I love living in the city of Salem. It has this tremendous attitude and energy that appeals to me. I can only describe it as Creative Blue Collar. The people in this working class city embrace culture as well as people who walk to a different beat and I adore that. When I first started … Continue reading “Discovering” Salem →

Tortured by a Song

Has there ever been a song that everyone you know loves but you don’t get? I’m talking about the kind of song that you just cannot get away from; the entire world loves it but you? There is one song in particular that has plagued me since my teens. A few days before Christmas, I … Continue reading Tortured by a Song →

RIP Joe Strummer

Today marks the thirteenth anniversary of the passing of Joe Strummer. I can’t help but wonder what he would be thinking of today’s world. I’m guessing he’d have some strong words for Mr. Trump and a number of today’s politicians. Last May, I was asked to take part in the Gloucester Writer’s Series’ Rock & … Continue reading RIP Joe Strummer →