Weekend on the Radio 2/12/2014

All Weekend Long:

• Uncle Vanya, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 8 p.m.

Thursday, 2/12:

• Sinkane, Creative Alliance, 8 p.m.
• The New Pornographers, Ram's Head Live, 8 p.m.

Friday, 2/13:

• Live Lunch: Sinkane, WTMD Studios, noon
• Who's Your Puppet Daddy. Mercury Theatre, 8 p.m.

Saturday, 2/14:

• Valentine's Day Tango Extravaganza, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 8 p.m.
• Psycho Killers, 8x10, 8 p.m.

Sunday, 2/15:

• Poe's Guide to Poe, Single Carrot Theatre. 7 p.m.

Weekend on the Radio Recap

All Weekend Long:

• Colonial Conference Championship, Baltimore Arena, check website for details
• The Merry Wives of Windsor (Disco Edition!) Howard County Center for the Arts, check website for details

Thursday, 3/6:

• Mardi Gras Art Opening, Zellas Pizzeria, 6 p.m.
• Out of the Rabbit Hole Opening, Gallery 788, 7 p.m.

Friday, 3/7:

• Live Lunch: Goldspot, WTMD Studios, noon
• 8th Annual Student Art Exhibition, Hamilton Gallery, 6 p.m.

Weekend on the Radio Recap

All Weekend Long:

• The Vagina Monologues, Bloomberg School of Public Health, check website for details
• OccupyVTDance, Towson University, check website for details

Friday:

• Cara Kelly and the Tall Tale, WTMD Studios, noon
• Kanye West, Baltimore Arena, 8 p.m.

Saturday:

• Cupid's Undie Run, Baltimore/Washington DC, check website for details
• Gino Vanelli (First white man on Soul Train!), Ram's Head Center Stage, 7 p.m.

Sunday: 

• Cecily Strong, Stevenson University, 8 p.m.

CD of the Week: Black Joe Lewis Gets Scandalous!

After a 2009 debut that told us what their name was, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears take a fan mandate for more unpolished, garage soul, please, and make another gloriously hedonistic, brassy gem, Scandalous, WTMD's new CD of the Week.

What more can you say about a band that sounds like Ike Turner and the Stooges on a bad blind date?! Those two might have wound up at the "Mustang Ranch,"  the Nevada brothel to which Black Joe pays homage.

Funkify with floor shaker "Black Snake,"  get seduced by the slinky bass, groovy guitar lick and reverbed saxophone on the highlight title song, "She's So Scandalous" and tap into the Howlin' Wolf/early Stones acoustic blues vibe of "Messin," and with apologies to Scott Mullins, you've got one heck of a dirty soul party!

Jim Eno of Spoon produced his fellow Austinites for the second straight time. Check out tracks from Scandalous all week long on TMD!

Important News About the Senator Theatre

Today I would like to share with you an announcement about our proposal to occupy and operate the Senator Theatre. It comes from Towson University's Vice President of Finance and Administration, James Sheehan:

"As many of you know, WTMD and Towson University responded to the Baltimore Development Corporation’s call for proposals to acquire and restore the Historic Senator Theatre in Belvedere Square.

Due to the continuing economic pressures faced by the State of Maryland and thus Towson, we have determined that it is best not to take on this complex new venture. With the added uncertainty of the economic climate that we will face the remainder of this year, we must concentrate on the needs of our students at this time.

We were pleased to be considered among the BDC's finalists and are bolstered by the outpouring of support from the community and the WTMD listeners. The enthusiasm for WTMD's proposal only reinforced what we have always known; WTMD radio is a treasured and valuable asset. We appreciate your continued support as we forge ahead with our search for the most viable option and best possible venue for WTMD."

I know this news about the Senator comes as a surprise to many of you. I want you to know that WTMD and everyone at Towson University fully believes in the station's mission, music and the need to find a new home for the station.

For now, we will focus on increasing WTMD's value in the community and we look forward to seeing you at WTMD's 7th Birthday Party and at First Thursdays Concerts in the Park.

Steve Yasko
General Manager, WTMD

AVAM, Ham and Fred Schneider

Fred Schneider of the B-52's may be from Georgia, but his love of Waters-esque Baltimore kitsch has been on display for years, so it's no wonder that he's coming to one of his favorite haunts, the American Visionary Arts Museum for a benefit concert and dance party.

Fred Schneider and the Mastergators play AVAM April 9th from 7pm to Midnight. There's a VIP Happy Hour with Fred from 6-7pm. That oughta be a hoot! The Mastegators, BTW, feature former Scissor Sister Paddy Boom and Rodney Henry of Dangerously Delicious Pies!

If you need any more evidence that Fred kinda digs Baltimore, check out the video to this song, which was inspired, in part, by TV Meat pitch woman Paula Deen and an incident in which she got bonked in the head by a can of ham. Avid vegetarian Fred shot the video at....can you guess where?




Oh, and a special shout-out to organizers of the Uncorked 2010 Table Design Competition, which I helped judge at AVAM last night, along with Chef Duff and other catering experts. One of the music-inspired tables that really got our attention was based on the B-52's "Love Shack". Hurry up and bring your jukebox money April 9th!

One Degree Closer to Hendrix

There's a Baltimore and even a WTMD connection to the just-released, long sought-after, posthumous Hendrix collection, Valleys of Neptune.

John Vondracek, son of WTMD volunteer (and extremely knowledgeable music head, I might add) Bob Luh runs a video-design company called The String Theory. They developed a video for the title track based on a couple of paintings by Hendrix, that were used as covers for the album and single.

Previously, John has developed video that played during a Roger Waters concert.

Enjoy the swirling colors of John's amazing work!

She and Him Go Back to School

Call it the indie rock version of the "Hit Me Baby One More Time" video, but check out Zooey Deschanel dancing in the high school halls and M. Ward looking like the detached object of her affection.

I LOVED the first She & Him record, and while this song may have lost a bit of the "golly gee" innocence, the playfulness is still irresistible.

From Volume 2, here's "In the Sun."

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.

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