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.