Altered Freebies: Bright Eyes; Oh Land; James Vincent McMorrow

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Bright Eyes, “Shell Games”
Conor Oberst returns with the long-awaited, possibly-last album under his alter ego. Those who may have gotten over Bright Eyes might want to give him another try this go 'round.

Oh Land, “EP”
A friend sent me the Oh Land EP after meeting her at CMJ. Since then, MTVU won't stop playing her videos. Now, it's not a free download, the site displays the whole EP for streaming purposes. Each song features a different video so you may want to get off your iPhone to enjoy the full experience.

James Vincent McMorrow, “If I Had A Boat”
In theme with WTMD's 500 Desert Island songs, this one is a pretty literal pick. If you're not familiar with James, his album should hold you over until the release of the new Fleet Foxes LP. Grab this one for those cold winter nights.

WTMD Renovates Program Schedule

Hey Everyone,

WTMD is making some big changes to our program schedule based on the listener surveys we've conducted over the past three years.  Thanks for filling them out and helping us program the station.

The new schedule includes 16 new hours hosted by one of our DJs or is a new national program.  


Some Highlights:

• We've added a new DJ to our weekday line up.  Listeners told us local DJs are the most important part of our schedule and Scott Mullins hosts Noon to 3 pm. Tyler moves to 9 am to Noon.  You might have guessed some of our current DJs will have shorter shows.  That's a good thing!  They'll be preparing new program segments and hosting weekend shows too!
• Don Rogers takes you to the Witching Hour Monday through Thursday from 10 pm to Midnight
• Weasel gets a repeat broadcast Fridays from 7 to 10 pm.  The Roadhouse and Altered Fridays move to Saturdays (yep, it's now called the Saturday Alternative!).
• World Cafe moves to 7 pm Monday through Thursday.  Listeners told us moving this show to evenings would have no effect on the amount of listening to WTMD. The show is also available on line at worldcafe.npr.org anytime.
• WTMD's Jam Band Line Up moves to Sunday Night starting with the recognized expert-Bug!  Stuck in the Jam starts at 9 pm then The Grateful Dead Hour and Keller's Cellar.

Here's a PDF of the full program schedule you can print out or send to your mobile.
  

• The Dirty Soul Party is about music listeners feel…from the waist down!  Every week it will feature a saucy bump and grind blend of vintage designed to get listeners off the couch and on the dance floor.  The DSP is played mostly from the original 45s, hand-mixed into a gritty night of funky floor shakers.  The Dirty Soul Party airs Saturdays from 9 pm to Midnight.

• Mat the Cat’s Juke in the Back showcases the unknown rhythm and blues tracks that gave birth to modern rock n’ roll.  Listeners can join Mat for this journey back in time every Friday night at 10 pm on WTMD. 

• The Weekly Feed brings the newest, most discussed tracks making news in the blogosphere to the airwaves every Wednesday night.  Kyle Meredith will guide listeners through a musical detective story with surprise call-ins from known and unknown artists each week.  The Weekly Feed is the crystal ball into what is going to happen in music next and airs Wednesdays at 9 pm.

There is something else going on this weekend besides the game....

Here's a list of all the other things that you might want to do when you're not drinking purple beer or wearing purple undergarments or trying to die your cabs and shrimp purple.  And please, if you give birth this weekend...Lavender is about the only acceptable purple name you can use.  Think of the rest of the child's life!  Here's the list

Weekend on the Radio Recap

Every Thursday morning at 6:20 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. Sam Gallant of the Creative Alliance shares with you all the cool happenings around town on Weekend on the Radio. In case you missed a detail about a specific event, here's the list for this week. Sam was out of town this week, so Erik was joined by The Creative Alliance's Megan Hamilton.

All Weekend Long:

• Baltimore County Restauraunt Week, various restauraunts in Baltimore County. Check website for details
• I Have a Dream Weekend Celebration, Port Discovery

Thursday, 1/13

• Das Racist, Sonar 9 p.m.

Friday, 1/14

• Chef Mac's and All That Blues Louisiana Buffet, 7-11 p.m.
• IMAX Film Festival, Maryland Science Center, check website for details
• The Second City Does Baltimore, Center Stage, check website for showtimes
• Stone Hill All-Stars with Jonathan Gilmore, Creative Alliance 8 p.m.
• Punk Rock Tribute Night, The Ottobar 9 p.m.

Saturday, 1/15

• Ravens vs. Steelers, every sportsbar in the greater Baltimore area, seriously
• Fells Point Food Tour, various spots in Fells Point
• School of Rock, Recher Theatre 8 p.m.

Sunday 1/16

• Mark Brine and Caleb Stein, The Wind-up Space 5 p.m.

CD of the Week: The Decemberists Keep it Sweetly Simple

"Here we come to a turning of the season," Colin Meloy declares over a bluesy harmonica riff which opens WTMD's new CD of the Week, The King is Dead.

It's an organic, straightforward return for this Portland, Oregon band, whose ambitious The Hazards of Love, featured a hard-to-digest plot line and cast of characters. The Decemberists new salt of the earth songs come courtesy of the comfortingly familiar, Fables of the Reconstruction-era guitar and mandolin of REM's Peter Buck, some sweet steel guitar from multi-instrumentalist Chris Funk and the ghostly Appalachian background vocals of Gillian Welch, who sings on most of the album's ten tracks.

A serene, seasonally-themed album that sees Meloy mining American roots influences rather than his usual English folk muse, The Decemberists' The King is Dead makes the first, "now top that!" statement in 2011. Listen this week on WTMD to hear more!

Altered Freebies: Sleigh Bells; R.E.M.; The Dears

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the internet to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Sleigh Bells, “Infinity Guitars”
Although this track is nothing new to the internet, it's getting spun today on the show and is up for free so grab it. It's by a band called Sleigh Bells, who you should have gotten to know by now. If not, schedule a playdate soon.

R.E.M., “Discoverer”
R.E.M. returns with a new album this year and a few tracks have slipped out; others can be found here and here. For fans of Murmur, this record should deliver.

The Dears, “Omega Dog”
From the new album, Degeneration Street, comes out just in time for those forgetting gifts for their significant others on February 15th. The Dears throw in plenty of fuzz on the track.

CD of the Week: Stornaway Bursts Technologies' Bubble

Named after a remote town on a  Scottish island,  Stornaway brings a rustic sound to Beachcomber's Windowsill.

The CD is full of Celtic-sounding strings, banjos, parlor pianos, and campfire harmonies so attractive, it's a WTMD CD of the Week natural.  These guys are no academic slouches with two of members having graduated from Oxford University with PhD's and bonded over their mutual love of Teenage Fanclub.

The songs include tracks like "We Are the Battery Human" which speaks of a yearning for a return to nature and by ditching smart phones. Their references to technology's effect on culture are something we can all relate to and are peppered throughout the album.

The glee of "Zorbing" is an endorphin-rush of first love combined with the sensory overload of an extreme sport.  Zorbing the sport,  places a person inside a huge plastic bubble and rolling it down hillsides and around city streets.

Take a listen all week long as we feature all the tracks from Beachcomber's Windowsill.

A Day with Greats of Music for New Years

New Year's is upon us!  And WTMD is going to start the year off with a day of incredible music and stories about some of the most important artists to ever grace our planet.

Bob Dylan 6 am- 10 am
Patti Smith hosts four hours of music and conversation detailing his early influences.  His collaborators discuss their close relationships, revealing things they would only tell Patti.  We also hear Bob Dylan, himself, in rarely heard interview clips.

New Year's is upon us!  And WTMD is going to start the year off with a day of incredible music and stories about some of the most important artists to ever grace our planet.

Bob Dylan 6 am- 10 am
Patti Smith hosts four hours of music and conversation detailing his early influences.  His collaborators discuss their close relationships, revealing things they would only tell Patti.  We also hear Bob Dylan, himself, in rarely heard interview clips.

Miles Davis:  Kind of Blue 10 am- 11 am
This one hour documentary charts the development of one the most important albums of all time. Kind of Blue came in at #21 on WTMD's 897 Greatest Albums of All Time Countdown and now we take you deep into the grooves of the Jazz great!

Johnny Cash 11 am- Noon
This incredible hour brings the music and words of the Man in Black to life and charts his life from his influences to the musicians he influenced. Hosted by Rodney Crowell, Cash is heard having fun and telling stories of his childhood and deep faith on these solo acoustic recordings.

Love Train Noon- 1 pm
People all over the world join in....This hour we'll get revved up with bands that made TSOP an important part of American musical history. Tell all the folks in Russia and China Too!

Bruce Springsteen: The Promise Fulfilled  1 pm- 2 pm
From the Jersey Shore to the Kennedy Center Honors, Bruce Springteen has written multiple chapters in the New American Song Book.  But one chapter was left out.  The Promise Fulfilled takes into the sessions, the interviews and process of the making of the legendary Darkness on the Edge of Town.  We'll meet up in Candy's Room!

Jimi Hendrix: Valleys of Neptune  2 pm- 3 pm
With new interviews from Jimi's sister, Janie; his bass player and Army buddy, Billy Cox; his recording engineer, Eddie Kramer; his biographer, John McDermott; this documentary answers the question: where was Jimi headed next?  Hosted by David Dye. Rare Video

Iggy and the Stooges 3 pm- 4 pm
This hour traces the lasting impact of Raw Power and the band's influence on the punk scene of the early 1970s.  The Iggy persona has been debated and analyzed for decades and this hour puts the outrageous in perspective.

Joe Strummer's London Calling 4 pm- Midnight
Joe Strummer plays DJ on WTMD!  This eight hour marathon comes from the BBC where Joe brought is vast musical tastes and incredible passion for music to the air.  It's like sitting around the living room with the lead singer of the Clash playing records for you.  Not to be missed! Need a Joe Fix sooner?This one hour documentary charts the development of one the most important albums of all time. Kind of Blue came in at #21 on WTMD's 897 Greatest Albums of All Time Countdown and now we take you deep into the grooves of the Jazz great!

$16,000--Please Consider a Year End Gift to WTMD

WTMD has made a huge investment in ways to get you more information about the music you hear on every day.  This year we've made a searchable playlist database and you can see artist and title information right on your RDS or HD radio.  We've renovated our air studio to provide you with a better quality listening experience.  All of this happened because listener like you invest in the station.

You must make your year end gift by 12/31 to ensure a 2010 tax deduction.  Please consider making a generous gift today!  

We wish you peace in 2011.

Why this Year End Goal Is So Important

At this time of Year, WTMD looks to planning our future.

Your new, renewing or additional gift membership makes sure WTMD can meet its end of year obligations and makes sure you get a 2010 tax deduction.

The Count Down Begins: The Top 89 Songs of 2010!

You Voted. We Counted. Now We've Played Them Back!

Thank You for listening and we'd like to ask you to make a gift to WTMD to keep the station Independent-Commercial Free-and playing the music you rely on!

See The List

Make Year End Gift To WTMD to Keep The Music Playing in 2011

Remember...You're automatically entered to win a custom engraved 6th Generation iPod Nano preloaded with all 89 Songs! 

No contribution needed to enter the drawing, but we hope you'll support the station that keeps you in music heaven!

Here is your To Do List for the Weekend:

1. Be sure to tune in the Top Songs of 2010 Countdown All Day Friday
2. Make A Year End Membership Contribution to WTMD (We need to raise $50,000 by the end of the year!
3. Do Something Fun This Weekend!  Here is the Weekend on the Radio Recap

Make a contribution by 12/30/10 and you can win a custom engraved 6th generation iPod Nano with all 89 Top Songs of 2010 preloaded!

You Voted-We Play them Back: The Top 89 Songs of 2010!

The Top 89 Songs of 2010!

While we Countdown the top 89 Songs of 2010--We need to Count on You to Make an Additional Gift or Become  A New WTMD Member to Keep The Station Strong in 2011!  Click Here To Make Your Gift!

1.  Tighten Up by the The Black Keys
2.  Forget You by Cee-Lo Green
3. Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons
4.  Paris (ooh La La) by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
5.  MoneyGrabber by Fitz and the Tantrums
6.  Zorbing by Stornoway
7.  Laredo by Band Of Horses
8.  Slippin by Quadron
9.  Beg, Steal Borrow by Ray Lamontagne & the Pariah Dogs

It's never too late to support your favorite radio station, 89.7 WTMD!

10.  Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
11.  Ready to Start by Arcade Fire
12.  Rolling in the Deep by Adele
13.  Witchcraft by Matt Costa
14.  BloodBuzz Ohio by The National

Support WTMD with your pledge!

15.  Empire by Jukebox the Ghost
16.  Father's Son by Fistful of Mercy
17.  The Mystery Zone by Spoon
18.  From Above by Ben Folds
19.  How I Wonder by Victoria Vox
20.  Breakin the Chains of Love by Fitz & the Tantrums
21.  Giving up the Gun by Vampire Weekend
22.  The High Road by Broken Bells
23.  Shadow People by Dr. Dog

Federal Funding for Public Radio Maybe Ending--this would have a huge negative impact on WTMD.  Learn More

24.  Zebra by Beach House
25.  Airplanes by Local Natives
26.  Don't Break the Needle by J Roddy Walston & the Business
27.  Sprawl II by Arcade Fire
28.  Sweetest Thing by JJ Grey & Mofro
29.  Radioactive by Kings of Leon

Support WTMD, the station you love with a monthly contribution!

30.  Haul Me Up by Richard Thompson
31.  She Needs Me by Fyfe Dangerfield
32.  Head Full of Doubt by Avett Brothers
33.  Blue Streak Mama by Frazey Ford
34.  We Used To Wait by Arcade Fire
35.  Tightrope by Janelle Monae
36.  Dilly of Band Of Horses
37.  Boyfriend by Best Coast

Become a Member of WTMD today!

38.  Crash Years by New Pornographers
39.  Always by Junip
40.  Modern Man by Arcade Fire
41.  Hannah by Freelance Whales
42.  Wake Up Everybody by John Legend and The Roots
43.  Total Life Forever by Foals
44.  Do You Love Me by Guster
45.  The Suburbs by Arcade Fire

Support WTMD with your pledge!

46.  In Sleep by Lissie
47.  Hey Hey Hey by Michael Franti and Spearhead
48.  Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap
49.  Cousins by Vampire Weekend
50.  Compared to What by John Legend and The Roots
51.  The Ghost Inside by Broken Bells

 Hello, are your a WTMD member?  NO?!?!?  Click Here and Fix That!

52.  Wen my Time Comes by Dawes
53.  Colors by April Smith
54.  Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Sound System
55.  Angel Dance by Robert Plant
56.  Hit 'em Style by The Carolina Chocolate Drops
57.  Everlasting Light by The Black Keys
58.  I can Change by LCD Soundsystem
59.  My Time by Minus the Bear


Federal Funding for Public Radio Maybe Ending--this would have a huge negative impact on WTMD.  Learn More

60.  For the Summer  by Ray Lamontagne & the Pariah Dogs
61.  Let Him Go by The Meckatones
62.  Norway by Beach House
63. Scissor Runner Jenny and Johnny
64.  Amazing by One Eskimo
65.  In the Sun by She and Him
66.  One Day by Sharon Van Etten
67.  Boy by Ra Ra Riot

WTMD Supports Baltimore Bands--Can You Support WTMD?

68.  Down by the Water by The Decemberists
69.  The Weekenders by The Hold Steady
70.  Ambling Alp by Yeasayer 
71.  What's In it for? by Avi Buffalo
72.  Howlin' For You by The Black Keys
73.  If It Wasn't For Bad by Elton John & Leon Russell II
74.  Madder Red by Yeasayer

Make a contribution to WTMD!

75.  On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz
76.  Burn It Down by Los Lobos
77.  Half A Mind by Jason Spooner
78.  Brave Man's Death by J. Roddy Walston & the Business
79.  Written In Reverse by Spoon

Support WTMD with your pledge!

80. Next Girl by The Black Keys
81. American Slang by Gaslight Anthem
82.  On the Road to Charlie Parker by Anders Osborne
83.  One Day by Kings Go Forth
84.  I Believe In You by Black Dub

Become a Member of WTMD today!

85.  You Wouldn't Have to Ask by Bad Books
86.  Bad Things by Jace Everett
87.  WTF? by Ok Go
88.  Conversation Missed by Benny Marchant
89.  Hollywood by Codeine Velvet Club

Ravens/Saints Funky Pre-Game Throwdown

The Ravens take on the Saints at M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday and getting you battle ready, though with a decidedly more cooperative vibe than on the gridiron, are some of Baltimore and New Orleans finest bands who'll rock the 8x10 stage Saturday night for a pre-game throwdown

Papa Grows Funk and the Honey Island Swamp Band represent the Crescent City while members of The Bridge and Old Man Brown have Charm City's back.

Don't expect tackling or sideline tripping, just lots of Baltimore and bayou roots rock from musicians who have jammed together before and embody the serendipitous spirit of a traditionally music-rich city and one that's becoming one.

We'll get you ready this Friday at 920am on Morning Sessions as we encore a smokin' set from last year by the Honey Island boys! .

Weekend on the Radio Recap

Every Thursday morning at 6:20 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. Sam Gallant of the Creative Alliance shares with you all the cool happenings around town on Weekend on the Radio. In case you missed a detail about a specific event, here's the list for this week.

All Weekend Long:

• Symphony of Lights, Symphony Woods 6-10 p.m.
• The Polar Express 4D Experience, National Aquarium in Baltimore, check website for showtimes
• A Peppermint Patty Christmas, The Strand Theatre, check website for showtimes (through Saturday)
• The BSO Holiday Spectacular, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, check website for showtimes
• Kenilworth Holiday Train Garden, The Shops at Kenilworth, during mall hours

Thursday, 12/16

• Houseboat; Dead Mechanical; Junkpile, Charm City Art Space 7 p.m.
• A John Waters Christmas, The Birchmere 7:30 p.m.

Friday, 12/17

• Trixie and Monkey's Holiday Spectac-u-thon, Creative Alliance at the Patterson 7 and 10 p.m. (also Saturday)
• Hack and Slash Christmas Special, Chesapeake Arts Center 8 p.m. (also Saturday and Sunday)

Saturday, 12/18

• Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers, upstairs at the Ottobar 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, 12/19

• The Wu-Tang Clan, Sonar 8 p.m.