A couple months ago, afternoon host John Mathewsreceived a copy of Colin Gawel's EP Superior. The title track chronicles a dissolved marriage by the greatest of the Great Lakes, where the characters "break their hearts by its cool, cool waters."
After fronting the Ohio-based band Watershed for two decades (and owning and managing a coffee shop in Columbus), Gawel is launching a solo career with his EP.
John played the song twice in his office and then decided to feature it on the air during his next shift. Listener response, by phone and email, was immediate and ecstatic. And John had the opportunity to share that feedback directly with Colin. Colin stops by WTMD at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 2nd, for an in-studio performance and conversation with John. Colin Gawel performs tonight at the 8 x 10.
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.
Ben Harper has always been a favorite of mine since I saw him opening for the Dave Matthews Band in the summer of 2000. I'm always excited when I hear that he's putting out a new album and this year is no exception to that statement. When the full album with his new band Relentless 7, White Lies For Lies For Dark Times slid across my desk I was elated. On first listen I decided it would be a featured CD of the Week here at the station and with tracks like "Number With No Name", "Shimmer & Shine", and "Fly One Time" there was no way around it.
I stayed up late to see every performance by the group on the late-night TV circuit and even passed up Nine Inch Nails' performance at Bonnaroo to see R7's show at The Other Tent. All I can say is that it was one of the most powerful performances I got to see at the festival and I had chills for the entire set. They even tackled a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Good Times, Bad Times" which left my face thoroughly melted.
Needless to say the band's set at the All Good Music & Arts Festival this weekend in Masontown, West Virginia, is one I have been looking forward to for a while.
With 3 names. That's David Andrew Smith who plays on Baltimore Unsigned tonight at 8pm. The Ellicott City native usually features a full band, but he goes solo this evening with excellent results! Check it out for yourself on this track called "Wit's End".
