Top 89 Songs of 2009

1. The Avett Brothers, "I And Love And You"
2. One Eskimo, "Kandi"
3. Animal Collective, "My Girls"
4. Phoenix, "1901"
5. Sea Wolf, "Wicked Blood"
6. Blitzen Trapper, "Black River Killer"
7. Silversun Pickups, "Panic Switch"
8. Wilco, "You And I"
9. Langhorne Slim, "Say Yes"

Great music on WTMD is made possible by support from listeners.
Pledge now to become a member.


10. Grizzly Bear, "Two Weeks"
11. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, "Home"
12. Monsters of Folk, "Say Please"
13. Gomez, "Airstream Driver"
14. Regina Spektor, "Eet"
15. Will Hoge, "Even If It Breaks Your Heart"
16. Portgual. The Man, "People Say"
17. Ben Harper and the Relentless7, "Shimmer and Shine"
18. Company of Thieves, "Oscar Wilde"
19. Rosanne Cash, "Sea Of Heartbreak"
20. Guggenheim Grotto, "Fee Da Da Dee"

Support Radio for Music People


21. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, "40 Day Dream"
22. The Avett Brothers, "Kick Drum Heart"
23. M. Ward, "Never Had Nobody Like You"
24. K'Naan, "Waving Flag"
25. Charlie Mars, "Listen to the Darkside"
26. Neko Case, "This Tornado Loves You"
27. Brandi Carlile, "Dreams"
28. Erin McKeown, "Santa Cruz"
29. Serena Ryder, "Little Bit of Red"


Great music on WTMD is made possible by support from listeners.
Pledge now to become a member.


30. Guggenheim Grotto, "Her Beautiful Ideas"
31. Elliott Brood, "WIADFY"
32. Fleet Foxes, "Mykonos"
33. 7 Worlds Collide, "Hazel Black"
34. Ingrid Michaelson, "Maybe"
35. Bob Schneider, "40 Dogs"
36. Umphrey's McGee, "Cemetery Walk"
37. Wilco, "Wilco (The Song)"
38. Wilco, "You Never Know"
39. Levon Helm, "When I Go Away"


Support Radio for Music People


40. Imogen Heap, "First Train Home"
41. Rodrigo y Gabriela, "Buster Voodoo"
42. Vandaveer, "Divide and Conquer"
43. Lisa Hannigan, "I Don't Know"
44. Brett Dennen, "Heaven"
45. Brendan Benson, "A Whole Lot Better"
46. Passion Pit, "The Reeling"
47. Neko Case, "People Got a Lotta Nerve"
48. Andrew Bird, "Fitz and the Dizzyspells"
49. Dan Auerbach, "My Last Mistake"


Great music on WTMD is made possible by support from listeners.
Pledge now to become a member.


50. Joshua James, "Coal War"
51. Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, "Nikorette"
52. Miike Snow, "Animal"
53. Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons, "Born Again"
54. Bell X1, "The Great Defector"
55. Chuck Prophet, "Let Freedom Ring"
56. Depeche Mode, "Wrong"
57. Heartless Bastards, "The Mountain"
58. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, "Gunpowder"
59. The Noisettes, "Never Forget You"

Support Radio for Music People


60. Metric, "Help I'm Alive"
61. The Decemberists, "The Rake's Song"
62. Camera Obscura, "French Navy"
63. Bat For Lashes, "Daniel"
64. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, "Sugarfoot"
65. Vampire Weekend, "Horchata"
66. Tegan and Sara, "Hell"
67. Death Cab for Cutie, "Meet Me on the Equinox"
68. Phish, "Backwards Down the Number Line"
69. Pearl Jam, "The Fixer"


Great music on WTMD is made possible by support from listeners.
Pledge now to become a member.


70. Dave Matthews Band, "Funny The Way It Is"
71. Wye Oak, "For Prayer"
72. Great Northern, "Houses"
73. Cage the Elephant, "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked"
74. Swell Season, "Low Rising"
75. Lily Allen, "The Fear"
76. The Felice Brothers, "Penn Station"
77. Chris Isaak, "We Let Her Down"
78. Jupiter One, "Flaming Arrow"
79. Derek Trucks Band, "Down in the Flood"

Support Radio for Music People


80. The Big Pink, "Dominos"
81. Death Cab for Cutie, "Little Bribes"
82. Sara Watkins, "Long Hot Summer Day"
83. Phoenix, "Lisztomania"
84. Cold War Kids, "Audience"
85. Matisyahu, "One Day"
86. Bruce Springsteen, "Working on a Dream"
87. Monsters of Folk, "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)"
88. The Dead Weather, "Hang You From The Heavens"
89. Manchester Orchestra, "I've Got Friends"

Bono and Buds Deliver X-Mas Surprise

Can you imagine if you went for a stroll on Christmas Eve and saw....BONO....busking with Damien Rice and Glen Hansard?

Well, that's exactly what happened to some lucky holiday revelers in Dublin.

The three musicians along with pal Mundy put out the hat for Simon Community, a charity that helps the homeless of Ireland.

The performed U2's "One", "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King, and "Falling Slowly" from Glen's movie ONCE.

The Top Songs of 2009: TMD Volunteer Edition

Volunteers make an incredible contribution to WTMD throughout the year. They help out around the office, represent the station at area events, and keep us sane during pledge drives.

Volunteers also share some of their favorite music with TMD staffers. (We're looking at you, Fletcher.) A few of our favorite volunteers weigh in on the Top Songs of 2009 below.

Check out the lists, vote for your own top songs by 12 p.m. Monday, December 21st, and then sign up to volunteer in 2010. We'd love to see you at the station.

Laura Beavers, Volunteer for 5 Years

• Wilco, "You and I"
• Bob Dylan, "Here Comes Santa Claus"
• Rosanne Cash and Jeff Tweedy, "Long Black Veil"
• Neko Case, "People Got A Lotta Nerve"
• Tom Petty, "Breakdown" (Live)

Musical Memory of 2009
The Beltways playing "Ring of Fire" at my wedding.


Pam Cohee, Volunteer for 3 Years

• U2, "Moment of Surrender"
  
• Matisyahu, "For You"
  
• Assembly of Dust, "Second Song"
  
• Trevor Hall, "Where's the Love"
  
• Eric Lindell, "Turnin' It Out"
  

Musical Memory of 2009
Seeing Trevor Hall at the Sound Garden music store with my kids. Trevor played a free show, for about an hour for maybe 30 people!!
The sound that these 3 musicians produced was unbelievable and Trevor's voice and message are just beautiful. Thanks, WTMD for introducing us to Trevor Hall!


Bridget Cooper, Volunteer for 3 Years

• Passion Pit, "Sleepyhead"
• Devendra Banhart, "Baby"
• The Avett Brothers, "January Wedding"
• J.J. Grey and Mofro, "Orange Blossoms"
• Blitzen Trapper, "Black River Killer"

Musical Memory of 2009
Seeing Ghostland Oberservatory--as well as many other fabulous bands--at the Austin City Limits Festival.


Beth Lacey Gill, Volunteer for 1 Year

• Animal Collective, "Summertime Clothes"
• St. Vincent, "Actor Out of Work"
• Regina Spektor, "Laughing With"
• Phoenix, "Listzomania"
• Tyrone Wells, "More"

Musical Memory of 2009
Actually, one of my favorite moments was volunteering with WTMD for one of their fund drives. It's so easy to find common ground when you look around a room, and see everyone singing along to the lyrics of "Lisztomania." Plus, I left with more than just a good feeling from volunteering. I also made some new good friends and got a few live pointers on some killer music before it was ready for the air. So, so cool.


Cindi Jansohn, Volunteer for 6 Years

• Creed, "Time"
• Enter the Haggis, "DNA"
• Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam, "Tear Down the Walls"
• Cheryl Wheeler, "Underbrush"
• Will Hoge, "Even If It Breaks Your Heart"

Musical Memory of 2009
Seeing Victor Wooten up close and personal at Rams Head Tavern and seeing him perform with his kids. They were awesome!!!!


Chris Killam, Volunteer for 1 Year

• Snow Patrol, "Just Say Yes"
• Ingrid Michaelson, "Maybe"
• Imogen Heap, "First Train Home"
• Vampire Weekend, "Horchata"
• Lisa Hannigan, "I Don't Know"

Musical Memory of 2009
Going to see Ingrid Michaelson at the Recher.


Fletcher McNeill, Volunteer for 7 Years

• Portugal. The Man, "The Home"
• Wye Oak, "For Prayer"
• Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, "I'm Broke"
• Heartless Bastards, "The Mountain"
• The Bowerbirds, "Ghost Life"

Musical Memory of 2009
Hearing Wye Oak play new songs that would become "The Knot". It was amazing to hear these songs and know that they had really matured in both production and songwriting.


Elizabeth O'Shea

• Levon Helm, "When I Go Away"
• The Avett Brothers, "I and Love and You"
• Levon Helm, "Stuff You Gotta Watch"
• Cage the Elephant, "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked"
• Neko Case, "This Tornado Loves You"

Jen Raffensperger, Volunteer for 1 Year

• Gomez, "Little Pieces"
• Spoon, "Got Nuffin'"
• Caleb Stine, "Eyes So Strong and Clean"
• Will Hoge, "Even If It Breaks Your Heart"
• Mike Doughty, "(I Keep On) Rising Up"

Musical Memory of 2009
From the Young Dubliners in the TMD studio in February to the simply spectacular weather--and show--for Guggenheim Grotto at First Thursday in July.

2009 was a year of real ups and downs for me, but music was a constant comfort.


Randy Schreffler, Volunteer for 1 Year

• Ingrid Michaelson, "Maybe"
• Langhorne Slim, "Say Yes"
• Vandaveer, "Divide and Conquer"
• Guggenheim Grotto, "Fee Da Da Dee"
• One Eskimo, "Kandi"

Musical Memory of 2009
Ingrid Michaelson concert at the Recher. Walking in, I was not sure what to expect. Ingrid put on one heck of a show. The band came out after the show to say hello to fans and stuck around to take pictures, sign CD's and just get to know their fans. Very cool band and one that I will remember for a long, long time.


Mary Zajac, Volunteer for 4 Years

• Passion Pit, "The Reeling"
• Phoenix, "1901"
• Roman Candle, "Why Modern Radio is A-OK"
• Vetiver, "Everyday"
• The Duke & The King, "If You Ever Get Famous"

Musical Memory of 2009
I was fortunate enough to attend some fabulous shows this year: Butch Walker at the 930 Club, Elvis Perkins and Blitzen Trapper both at the Ottobar, the Hold Steady at the Recher, the Duke and the King performing at a house concet (my first). A great year for music.

WTMD and the Senator in the News

Last month we promised to keep you posted on developments related to the WTMD's proposal for the Senator Theatre.

Two articles about the proposal appeared this week in the Towson Times and Current, a newspaper that covers public broadcasting.

Also, the Baltimore Development Corporation has scheduled a public hearing at the Senator Theatre at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 5th.

Please join us that night to learn about all of the proposals for the Senator's future. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions, and we look forward to seeing you . . .
at the Senator.

Irish Bands Named After Planes Top '09

Given the speedy evolution of digital music and the devolution of cd's, for maybe just a little while longer, we can take a look back at the year and pick our favorite full-length albums.

In the future, we'll probably debate which was the best mp3 of the past twelve months. But, for at least a sense of future nostalgia, I submit to you, my Top 5 Albums of 2009 and why I picked 'em.

1. Bell X1- Blue Lights on the Runway
- An aviation inspired band name and album title, clever lyrics, inventive new wave hooks go right for the gut, but Paul Noonan's sincere, yet almost deadpan delivery will keep the songs in my brain receptors for years to come.



2. Neko Case- Middle Cyclone
- As fearless and compelling as a record can get, the red headed siren gets savagely revealing on these boundless songs made all the more so by jazz-like tempo and idea shifts and killer lines like "the next time you say forever, I will punch you in the face." Hurts so good!



3. Cotton Jones- Paranoid Cocoon
- Michael Nau and Whitney McGraw, the Cumberland duo who used to front Page France, go from child-like pop wonderment, to darker, psychedelic harmonies that would be perfect cure for a fever in a Western Maryland cabin.

4. U2- No Line on the Horizon
- This was a very slow burn for me. But, then again, so was Achtung Baby and this record, if you can believe it, actually tops it! Like the Berlin-inspired 90's opus, this collaboration with Eno and Lanois was dying in the Moroccan desert until Bono, Edge, Larry, and Adam came together around a magical song about addiction, called "Moment of Surrender." What resulted after that, is a living-on-the-grid gospel album that would sound right pouring out of a minaret or a church.

Watch Eno talk about that song.



5. Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion
- Every year, I look for a record that doesn't sound like anything else; that doesn't faithfully beg, borrow, or steal, from anything.... that has no equal. The Boys from B'more deliver that kind of album, a sonic extravaganza that's intense, sexy, psychedelic, harmonic, pulsating, and sometimes, moving. Put this one in the time capsule!

We'd like to know what your favorite songs are for the year. Click here to vote and listen back on 12/20!

The Top Songs and Albums of 2009

So, what were the Top Songs and Albums of 2009?
The WTMD staff weighs in below.

Join the debate by submitting your votes for the Top Songs by 12 p.m. Monday, December 21st.

We'll have it all figured out in time for the Top 89 Songs of 2009 Countdown on Wednesday, December 30th.

----

Kristin Bachran, Membership Coordinator
Top 10 Albums

• Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
• The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You
• Siversun Pickups, Swoon
• Dan Auerbach, Keep It Hid
• Joshua James, Build Me This
• Metric, Fantasies
• Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is
• Umphrey’s McGee, Mantis
• Eels, Hombre Lobo
• Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career
  
  

Top 10 Songs

• The Swell Season, "Low Rising"
• Silversun Pickups, "Panic Switch"
• Phoenix, "1901"
• Joshua James, "Coal War"
• The Avett Brothers, "I and Love and You"
• Camera Obscura, "French Navy"
• Passion Pit, "Little Secrets"
• Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, "Home"
• Neko Case, "This Tornado Loves You"
• Tegan and Sara, "Hell"
  

Erik Deatherage, Morning Show Host

Top 10 Albums

• Bell X1, Blue Lights on the Runway
  
• Neko Case, Middle Cyclone
  
• Cotton Jones, Paranoid Cocoon
  
• U2, No Line on the Horizon
  
• Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion
  
• M. Ward, Hold Time
  
• Maia Sharp, Echo
• Robyn Hitchcock and Venus 3, Goodnight Oslo
  
• Sea Wolf, White Water, White Bloom
  
• Roman Candle, O Tall Tree in the Ear
  

Top 10 Songs

• Neko Case, "This Tornado Loves You"
  
• Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, "Gunpowder"
  
• Company of Thieves, "Oscar Wilde"
• Charlie Mars, "Listen to the Darkside"
  
• U2, "Moment of Surrender"
  
• Lily Allen, "Everyone's At It"
  
• Derek Trucks Band, "Down in the Flood"
  
• Wye Oak, "For Prayer"
  
• Erin McKeown, "Santa Cruz"
• Guggenheim Grotto, "Fee Da Da Dee"

Frank Diller, Online Services Manager
Top 10 Songs

• Phoenix "1901"
• Joshua James, "Coal War"
• The Hold Steady, "Atlantic City"
• Tommy Tucker, "Keep Good Time"
• Death Cab for Cutie, "Little Bribes"
• Sleigh Bells, "Ring Ring"
• Ben Harper and the Relentless7, "Shimmer & Shine"
• Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, "Sugarfoot"
• Neko Case, "This Tornado Loves You"
• Wilco, "You Never Know"

Matt Galler, Weekend Host
Top 10 Albums

• Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavillion
• Sea Wolf, White Water, White Bloom
• Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest
• Joshua James, Build Me This
• Pearl Jam, Backspacer
• The Dead Weather, Horehound
• Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
• Peter Bjorn and John, Living Thing
• Death Cab for Cutie, The Open Door EP
• Wilco, Wilco (The Album)
  

Top 10 Songs

• Grizzly Bear, "Two Weeks"
• The Avett Brothers, "I And Love And You"
• Death Cab for Cutie, "Little Bribes"
• Animal Collective, "My Girls"
• Sea Wolf, "Wicked Blood"
• Manchester Orchestra, "I’ve Got Friends"
• Regina Spektor, "Eet"
• Joshua James, "Coal War"
• Tegan And Sara, "Hell"
• Fleet Foxes, "Mykonos"

Ryan Glaeser, Operations Manager; Stuck in the Jam Host
Top 10 Albums

• Phish, Joy
  
• Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
• Portugal the Man, The Satanic Satanist
• Silversun Pickups, Swoon
• Passion Pit, Manners
• Heartless Bastards, The Mountain
• Umphrey's McGee, Mantis
• Ben Harper and the Relentless7, White Lies for Dark Times
• The Doves, Kingdom of Rust
• Monsters of Folk, Monsters of Folk

Top 10 Songs

• Phish, "Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan"
  
• Wilco, "Wilco (The Song)"
• Phoenix, "1901"
• Phoenix, "Lisztomania"
• MGMT, "Kids"
  
• Tegan & Sara, "Hell"
  
• Cage the Elephant, "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked"
  
• Death Cab for Cutie, "Meet Me on the Equinox"
  
• Silversun Pickups, "Panic Switch"
  
• Passion Pit, "Little Secrets"
  

Nick Jackon, Baltimore Unsigned Producer
Top 10 Albums

• Langhorne Slim, Be Set Free
• The xx, xx
• The Avett Brothers, I And Love And You
• Wale, Attention Deficit
• Bat for Lashes, Two Suns
• White Rabbits, It's Frightening
• fun., Aim & Ignite
• Regina Spektor, Far
• Vandaveer, Divide & Conquer
• Sunbears!, Dream Happy Dreams

Top 10 Songs (Again No Order)

• Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. “Home”
• The Avett Brothers, "Kick Drum Heart"
• Andrew Bird, “Anonanimal”
• The Decemberists, “The Rake’s Song”
• Umphrey's McGee, “Cemetery Walk”
• Animal Collective, “My Girls”
• Conor Oberst, “Nikorette”
• The Dead Weather, "Hang You From The Heavens"
• Vandaveer, "Divide & Conquer"
• Manchester Orchestra, "I've Got Friends"
  

Melissa Lauren, Weekend Host
Top 10 Albums

• Monsters Of Folk, Monsters Of Folk
• Wilco, Wilco (The Album)
  
• Miike Snow, Miike Snow
• Heartless Bastards, The Mountain
• Wye Oak, The Knot
• Silversun Pickups, Swoon
• Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Tell 'Em What Your Name Is
• Avett Brothers, I and Love and You
• Florence and the Machine, Lungs
• Lily Allen, It's Not Me, It's You

Top 10 Songs

• Wye Oak, "For Prayer"
• Miike Snow, "Animal"
  
• Heartless Bastards, "The Mountain"
• Florence and the Machine, "Dog Days Are Over"
• The Noisettes, "Never Forget You"
  
• Bat For Lashes, "Daniel"
  
• Joshua James, "Annabelle"
  
• Brendan Benson, "A Whole Lot Better"
  
• The Avett Brothers, "Kickdrum Heart"
  
• Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, "Sugarfoot"

Tyler Laporte, Mid-Day Host

Top 10 Albums

• Ben Harper & Relentless7, White Lies For Dark Times
• Wilco, Wilco (The Album)
• Phish, Joy
• Dan Auerbach, Keep It Hid
• Mos Def, The Ecstatic
• Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavillion
• Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest
• Avett Brothers, I and Love and You
• Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey & the Groo Grux King
• Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is
  

Top 10 Songs

• Animal Collective, “My Girls”
• Cold War Kids, “Audience”
• Passion Pit, “The Reeling”
• Monsters of Folk, “Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)"
• Silversun Pickups, “Panic Switch”
• Neko Case, “This Tornado Loves You”
• La Roux, “Bulletproof”
• Grizzly Bear, "Two Weeks”
• Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, “Get Yo Sh&T”
• Brendan Benson, “A Whole Lot Better”

John Mathews, Afternoon Host
Top 10 Albums

• Jay Farrar & Benjamin Gibbard, One Fast Move Or I'm Gone: Music From Kerouac's Big Sur
• Robben Ford, Soul On Ten
• Derek Trucks Band, Already Free
• Brand New Heavies, Live In London
• Monsters Of Folk, Monsters Of Folk
• Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Levitate
• Joe Louis Walker, Between A Rock And The Blues
• Del McCoury, Celebrating 50 Years Of Del McCoury
• Alice In Chains, Black Gives Way To Blue
• Heartless Bastards, The Mountain

Top 10 Songs

• Heartless Bastards, "The Mountain"
• Robben Ford, "Indianola"
• E. Joseph & The Phantom Heart, "The Ghosts Around You"
• Green Day, "Know Your Enemy"
• Derek Trucks Band, "Days Is Almost Gone"
• Mike Zito, "Time To Go Home"
• Eric Roberson, "Borrow You"
• Monsters Of Folk, "The Sandman, The Brakeman And Me"
• Dead Weather, "Hang You From The Heavens"
• Foo Fighters, "Wheels"

Don Rogers, Weekend Host
Top 10 Albums

• Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard, One Fast Move and I'm Gone
• Brandi Carlile, Give Up the Ghost
• Gomez, A New Tide
• Kasabian, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
• Muse, The Resistance
• Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
• Wolfmother, Cosmic Egg
• Ben Harper and Relentless7, White Lies for Dark Times
• Rodrigo y Gabriela, 11:11
  

Top 10 Songs

• Vandaveer, "Divide and Conquer
• Muse, "Uprising”
• Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons, "Born Again”
• Gomez, ”Airstream Driver”
• Kasabian, ”Fast Fuse”
• One Eskimo, ”Kandi”
• Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar, ”California Zephyr”
• Sara Watkins, ”Long Hot Summer Days”
• Silversun Pickups, ”Panic Switch”
• Death Cab For Cutie, “Meet Me on the Equinox"
  

Amy Wielunski, Membership Director
Top 10 Albums

• Joshua James, Build Me This
• The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You
• Good Old War, Only Way to Be Alone
• Portugal. The Man, The Satanic Satanist
• Rodrigo y Gabriela, 11:11
• Neko Case, Middle Cyclone
• M. Ward, Hold Time
• Sara Watkins, Sara Watkins
• Andrew Bird, Noble Beast
• Pink Martini, Splendor in the Grass

Top 10 Songs

• Andrew Bird, "Fitz and the Dizzyspells"
• K'naan, "Waving Flag"
• Joshua James, "Coal War"
• The Avett Brothers, "Kick Drum Heart"
• Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, "Sugarfoot"
• Portugal. The Man, "People Say"
• The Very Best, "Warm Heart of Africa"
• Noisettes, "Never Forget You"
• One Eskimo, "Kandi"
• Langhorne Slim, "Say Yes"

Steve Yasko, General Manager
Top 10 Albums

• Chris Isaak, Mr. Lucky
  
• Bruce Springsteen, Working on a Dream
  
• Robbie Williams, Reality Killed the Video Star
• Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
• The Young Dubliners, Saints and Sinners
• Portugal the Man, The Satanic Satanist
• The Rurals, Rural Disco Vibes, Vol. 1
• Rosanne Cash, The List
• Monsters of Folk, Monsters of Folk
• Ingrid Michaelson, Everybody
  

Top 10 Songs

• Chris Isaak, "We Let Her Down"
• Bruce Springsteen, "The Wrecking Ball"
• Phoenix, "Lisztomania"
• Depeche Mode, "Wrong"
• Rosanne Cash, "Sea of Heartbreak"
• The Avett Brothers, "I and Love and You"
• Brett Dennen, "Heaven"
• Chuck Prophet, "Let Freedom Ring"
• One Eskimo, "Kandi"
• Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, "Sugarfoot"
  

Let's Help John Mellencamp Stop Smoking

Hey everyone.
Speck, John Mellencamp's son, is trying to get his dad to quit smoking. So he made a bet with his dad, as kids are oft to do. If 1,000,000 people join the Facebook Group Speck set up then John will quit.

We know it's hard. And we know it's easier when you're accountable to your family and when your friends are rooting for you. So lets Show John WTMD listeners care. Here is a link to the Rolling Stone Story about the group.

Here is a direct link to the Facebook Group.

Here are some John Videos to watch while you join the group

WTMD and the Senator Theatre

Dear Friends,

I have some news to share with you. Over the last several months you may have read about the financial troubles surrounding the Senator Theatre and the subsequent auction that placed this beloved landmark’s future in the hands of Baltimore City.

Recently, the Baltimore Development Corporation issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) on behalf of the City. This RFP is seeking ideas that will renovate and rejuvenate the Senator into an active and vibrant center for the community.

WTMD and Towson University have submitted a proposal that would transform the Senator into a multi-use film and concert theater that would also house the WTMD studios and offices.

We envision a space where film retrospectives, gala premiers and themed movie festivals are showcased in the same space as the musical artists you hear on WTMD every day. We want to fill the halls of this beloved palace with children’s programming, fundraisers for community groups and even showcase the multi-media work done by Towson University students. Our goal is to make sure the Senator is alive all day, every day.

The Senator has created countless memories for anyone who has gone on a date or brought their families to see a film in this historic setting. We believe we can continue that tradition by bringing events to the Senator that encourage communication and civility centered around film, music and community.

It will be a long process between now and when the doors to a new Senator might open, no matter who is chosen to renovate this landmark. But I wanted you to learn about our submission from me. We’ll be sure to keep you informed as the process moves ahead.

We have a reverence for the building and our belief is that as times change, buildings like the Senator must continue bind generations together.

We’d like to hear about your thoughts and memories of the Senator. Please take a moment to comment below and share your thoughts and stories.

Please feel free to tell us about a date you might have had there, a movie that touched you, or just how you feel about the building itself. Because, after all, all good things happen . . . At The Senator.

Sincerely,

Stephen Yasko
General Manager

Goldspot Serenades UK Ducks

Goldspot, one of those awesome TMD revelations from a few years ago, are back with And the Elephant is Dancing, a shimmering, melodic record, brimming with Wilson-esque songcraft- which makes all the more sense, since Beach Boys' engineer Jeff Peters co-produced.

Siddhartha Khosla, Goldspot's charismatic frontman, grew up watching Bollywood movies. Here, on this tour stop in London, he sings "Friday" to the ducks in Regents Park.....in Hindi!

Goldspot play the Black Cat in DC this Sunday the 22nd along with the Black Fortys.




...and here's an English version of "Time Bomb," another amazing song from their first record Tally of the Yes Men

John Mayer Videos

As we sit back and enjoy New Music Tuesday, the WTMD office has been jamming out to the new John Mayer album, Battle Studies. To add to his great music career, Mr. Mayer has graced us with amazingly awesome video clips. He even has his own Funny or Die page. Here, I share the ones we have been passing around the office with you.

(I swear we actually do work around here, too.)

(Sometimes.)

Norway's Kings of Convenience

Harmonizing folk-duo Kings of Convenience hail from Bergan, Norway.

After a five-year recording absence, Erlend and Eerik are back with the beautifully hushed Declaration of Dependence.

It's got sparse instrumentation which bring out the full-flavor of their blended voices.

This video for "Boat Behind" makes cramming hitchhikers into a tiny vehicle look like, well..... fun!

Countdown to Bruce -8 Days To Go

One of the greatest things about being a long time Bruce fan is you can chart your life against the music and the changes in our society. Now, of course we all remember Bruce when he started going to the gym and got those biceps! Here are pictures of Bruce over the decades.

From 1973

This one is from 1975 when he was promoting Born to Run

Now of course the 80s were not good to any of us. Bruce Included:

1980--do you really think he skated?...it s pre photo shop, I just don't think he's that kind of guy.

Patty MUST HATE THIS PICTURE!! 1988

We'll do the 90s and 00s Tomorrow Gang. Do you have any Bruce photos that you'd like to post and share? Do it on our Facebook Page or email to me at syasko@towson.edu and I will post here on the blog.

I think I am going to bust out my Japanese Rising Sun Bandana to wear to the show!!!!!

Remember to let me know where you're sitting. Beer on me Baby.

I'm starting to think next week is going to crawl all the way to Friday. Now, the question is....how early should I leave the station to get down to the Arena? Where will you do your pre show dinner and drinking? It's party time!

Count Down To Bruce - 9 Days To Go

How Do you know You're a True Bruce Fan?
10. You know it's Deuce
9. You only date women name Mary, Crazy Janie or Rosie
8. You have to live within walking distance to a river
7. Your last Family Vacation was in Asbury Park
6. You have shoulder pain from repeated fist thrusts during Trapped at at least 20 Bruce Concerts
5. You actually found that place they play guitars all night and all day in San Diego
4. You made a sign with a song request for next concert with a cut from Tracks
3. You actually own a copy of Tracks
2. You chalk up Juliane to youthful indulgence
1. All you have to do is look at the crowd at the show and know you're not alone.

I'll see you at the show.

Simon Says "Sesame!"

It's hard to believe Sesame Street is celebrating their 40th anniversary today. Some things may change, including the introduction of computer generated characters in place of some puppets, but the show still knows how to capture the wonder of childhood.

Tyler had Harper Simon play live yesterday. I'll have him on for a full Morning Sessions that will air early in 2010. His self-titled debut (in his late 30's) just came out and it's quite excellent. He gathered some of the greatest session musicians of yesterday (including the steel guitarist who played on Sweetheart of the Rodeo by The Byrds) and contemporaries including Sean Lennon and Inara George. The result is cosmic country meets vintage pop.

Harper sat in with another famous musician back in 1976 for a Sesame Street segment on how to make an album: his father Paul. I'm barely over 40, so I feel like I literallly grew up with Sesame Street. Enjoy this little memory with your little one!

Countdown To Bruce --Born to Run

Most would agree that Bruce Springsteen is one of the most important storytellers and artists of our time. Coupling his history and ability to tap into our collective mind sets is certainly a gift. But the side that makes Bruce so endearing is his ability to reduce that collective Gestalt into something individually important to each of us.

Much is being made of Bruce and E Streeters playing full albums at the last shows of the tour. I've been to more shows than I can count but the there is a special moment when Born To Run explodes onto the stage. Goosebumps, tears and introspection collide and carry those of us old enough to remember the Stone Pony into a state of middle aged well being.

I'll post one Piece of Bruce a Day between now and the show here in Baltimore. Please feel free to share your Bruce Stories. I'm staring here at my tickets and the station has been so busy that I really haven't had the time to focus on my pre Bruce anticipation. It hit me this morning that I'm seeing Bruce IN the the Town I Live In! That hasn't happened in quite a while (DC not withstanding). I've flown to Tampa, driven to Richmond twice and left at noon to make an Asbury Park Rehearsal Show and returned home at 3 the next morning--But here in Baltimore--that's gonna rock!

How far have you gone for a Bruce Show?

This one is from the 2002 Video Music Awards taped in NYC.

To steal a line--ARE YOU READY!?

Just a weekend Find

I took guitar lessons in my teens. I wasn't very good. But I did master this little ditty. I found the video this weekend by accident and want to share it with you! Nothing like a little 70s glam pop to end the weekend.

At The Wtmd Roadhouse This Week

Eric Lindell & His Band Will Be Playing Club 66 In Edgewood Next Friday

We'll be Doubling Down On Eric In Our First Hour And Giving Away Tickets For The Show.

Here's Eric Preforming At Club 66 This Past May


Plus In Our Last Hour We'll Feature Cephas & Wiggins & Other Piedmont Blues Artists as

The John Cephas Tribute Show Is Friday Night @ The Creative Alliance At The Patterson.

Join Us At The Roadhouse Friday Night From 7-10pm On 897 Wtmd

Tweet Away Johnny Boy!

For a guy that can do anything he wants: from dating Jennifer Aniston, seemingly at will, to forming a Hendrix Experience-summoning blues trio, he doesn't rest on his laurels.

And despite the, possibly ironic, self-obsession with his celebrity, John Mayer doesn't simply retreat into a club-going socialite, instead, he writes this gem of a hook for "Who Says," from his forthcoming disc, Battle Studies. I'm pretty certain he'll be adding another Grammy to his mantel.

So John, tweet away about any subject- you've earned it baby!

Dark Shadows

The 5 O'Clock Shadow Is Halloween Themed All Week.

Monday-Season Of The Witch-Donovan

G. Love-Sessions At West 54th was the Shadow

Here's Donovan's Original




Tuesday-I Walked With A Zombie-Roky Erickson

REM-Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye Tribute




Wednesday-Psycho Killer-Talking Heads

Here's Cage The Elephant's Live Cover



Thursday-The Monster Mash-Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt Kickers

The Misfits-Project 1950




Tune In Tomorrow With Tyler For Altered Fridays Haunted Shadow.

And Listen To Melissa Lauren On Saturday For 3 Hours Of Halloween Tunes From

5-8pm On 897 Wtmd

Mix Tape Thursday, 10/01/09

WTMD listeners take over the airwaves with three-to-five song sets on Thursday.

9 a.m. Suzanne Clay

When I was little, I would often visit my grandmother and she had this extensive collection of stuffed monkeys. As a child I loved to play with them, but now that I am older, the more I think about those monkeys the more they creep me out.

There happen to be a lot of songs out there with “Monkey” in the title. Here are some of my favorites…..both lovely and creepy.

* "Monkey Man," by The Rolling Stones
* "Shake Me Like A Monkey," by Dave Matthews Band
* "Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except for Me and My Monkey," by The Beatles
* "New Monkey," by Elliott Smith

11 a.m. Kevin Majoros

These are artists whom I missed on their last stop in Baltimore. I will not miss them again.

* "Will You Return?," by The Avett Brothers
* "Take My Heart," by Danielia Cotton
* "See How We Are," by X
* "Folsom Prison Blues," by Brandi Carlile
* "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town,” by Cake


5 p.m. Greg Lockwood

As the Baltimore Running Festival is rapidly approaching on October 10, these songs are dedicated to all runners training for a fall race.

These songs remind me of the joy of running, the training that goes into preparing for a race, the nerves before the race starts, the "runner's high," friends you make on the road, and the satisfaction of completing your goal.

* "Run," by Ben Kweller
* "The Distance," by Cake
* "New Shoes," by Paolo Nutini
* "I Feel It All," by Feist
* "Long May You Run," by Neil Young

The Electric Mason Jennings

Minneapolis-based, acoustic singer-songwriter Mason Jennings, plugs in with some electric roots rock on the new album Blood of Man.

It's a solid release and a new chapter for an expert, acoustic strummer. One of the standout tracks is "Ain't No Friend of Mine." And video director Barry Kimm's angry doodles definitely complement the corrosive guitar lines.

I Want Kandi

Here's a song that, everytime its spun, seems to genarates phone calls...of the good kind.

It's the irresistable "Kandi", the one with the line, "He called me baby all night long." The female vocal is, appropriatley, Candi Staton, a 70's soul singer who had a hit with "He Called Me Baby." The UK band with an animation obsession, One Eskimo does the song and it appears on their self-titled latest.

Hood to Hood Membership Challenge Standings Update!

Roland Park/Charles Village has taken an early lead, with Cockeysville/Lutherville/Timonium and Howard County looking to close in. It's still early, so the 3rd Annual Hood to Hood Challenge is anyone's game. Head over WTMD.org for complete standings and to help your hood take the lead by pledging now!

Current Standings:

1 Roland Park/Charles Village (Waverly/Guilford/Homeland)
2 Cockeysville/Lutherville/Timonium (Hunt Valley)
3 Howard County (Ellicott City/Columbia/Clarksville)
4 Owings Mills/Reisterstown
5 DC Metro (MoCo/PG County/NoVa)
6 Pasadena/Glen Burnie/Anne Arundel County (Brooklyn/Annapolis/Odenton/Crofton)
7 Fells Point/Harbor East (Little Italy/Butchers Hill)
8 Canton/Highlandtown (Patterson Park/Brewers Hill/Greektown)
9 Station North Arts District/Mt Vernon/Downtown (Bolton Hill)
10 Bel Air/Harford County
11 Catonsville (Dickeyville)
12 Federal Hill/South Baltimore (Pigtown/Locust Point)
13 Hampden/Remington (Clipper Mill/Woodberry/Wyman Park/Keswick)
14 Herring Run Corridor (Lauraville/Echodale/Mt. Pleasant/Lake Montebello/Perring Parkway)
15 Parkville/White Marsh (Carney/Perry Hall)
16 Mt. Washington/Pikesville (Govans)
17 Sparks/Glencoe/Parkton (Hereford/Monkton)
18 Towson