Long Distance Dedication: DJ Jaimie Hart

DJ Jaimie Hart of Web of Sound of WXNACheck out our long distance dedication to DJ Jaimie Hart and Web of Sound (Saturdays from 10 – 11 a.m.) from the popGeezer of This is Pop (Saturdays from noon – 2 p.m.)

Saturdays are a special day on WXNA. The line-up is terrific, and I don’t say that simply because I have a show on Saturday.

And, being on the more ancient side of the DJ age chart, I particularly enjoy hearing shows from the “young folk” that play the music of my era, or even earlier.

Both of these factors play into why I enjoy DJ Jaimie’s Web Of Sound.

Every Saturday at 10 a.m., Jaimie’s Web is “a radio show that spins a web of music history by connecting producers, musicians, record labels, songwriters, and other musical works,” in her own words. Usually thematic, Web covers that music history deeply. In the past six weeks, Jaimie has played tracks spanning from the 1920’s (i.e. Bessie Smith) all the way into the 21st century. On any given week, you may hear early to mid-20th Century Blues, mixed with Motown, Punk & Post-Punk up to contemporary sounds. She was around when only a very few of her selections were “current hits.” And Jaimie brings this weekly musical history lesson to you in a warm voice with great enthusiasm.

So, take my invitation to hear decades of popular music from a knowledgeable young person on air or in the archives at wxnafm.org

Long Distance Dedication: DJ Housequake

Check out our long distance dedication to DJ HOUSEQUAKE and The Housequake Vinyl Hour (Fridays from 6 – 7 p.m.) from DJ George LaBour of Hi Stax of Motown (Fridays from 7 – 9 p.m.)

To me, The Housequake Vinyl Hour captures what a great radio show should be.

When I tune in, I always know what kind of music I’m going to hear; yet, DJ Housequake always meets my expectations while keeping the sound fresh and inventive. He puts together a playlist that stays within the genre of dance music without the sound ever getting stale. The show emanates an atmosphere, a rhythmic pulse that’s simply irresistible and utterly intoxicating.

On top of this, DJ Housequake shows his love for the music not just through spoken praise during the talk breaks but also through the clear depth of his vinyl collection. The personality of the host shines through every minute of The Housequake Vinyl Hour, and that’s one of the things I love most about the show.

Best of all, it’s just plain fun!

Long Distance Dedication: DJ Ed

Check out our long distance dedication to DJ Ed, Eighties Schmeighties (10am-noon on Fridays) and Physchobabble (noon-1pm on Fridays), by DJ Jubilee:

My Long-Distance Dedication goes out to DJ Ed and his long running show Eighties Schmeighties (10am-Noon).

I became a fan of DJ Ed one night when I was listening to a show I used to tune into regularly but — on this night – it was like every song was being played specifically for me. Song after song, I was hearing my favorite artists and my favorite songs – and an interesting mix of music too. At the next talk break, I found out it was not Paul Burch but DJ Ed who hosted a show called Eighties Schmeighties.

Since that night, I have made a point to listen to Eighties Schmeighties whenever I am able. Jumping off from our mutual admiration of bands like Minutemen and The Clash, Ed has introduced me to bands I missed out on the first time around and made me aware of new releases by members of some of the best bands of the 1980s.

In my mind, Eighties Schmeighties and DJ Ed represents WXNA at its best: Elevating underappreciated music and artists. And for me, it provides the comfort of hearing some of my favorite music with the tension of hearing music for the first time and maybe discovering a new favorite artist or band.

Thanks DJ Ed – for keeping the flame alive.

Long Distance Dedication: DJ Susan

Check out our long distance dedication to DJ Susan of DJ Susan of Inconsiderate Mixtape (5-7 pm on Wednesdays), by Eric (DJ Big Chief Chaz, Gilded Splinters, Tuesdays from 8-10 p):

If you check wxnafm.org for DJ Susan’s show description of his two-hour “Inconsiderate Mixtape,” you’ll see he name checks Aretha, Haggard, Coltrane, and Zappa. (His on-air show card also includes Howlin’ Wolf, I think…) But if you’ve tuned in and not heard any of those artists, there’s actually a really good reason why: DJ Susan spins what is likely the most wide-ranging palette of freeform programming of anyone at WXNA — which is saying a lot.

Somewhere back in the early days I heard him announce, “Well, that makes it 2,000 artists I’ve played on this show without ever repeating one…” What?!? Was that even possible…?? Of course it was, and is — for the simple reason that DJ Susan’s playlists are all-inclusive, all-genre, all-era… and all-world great. He’ll declare that he picked up some obscure, lost-to-history release simply because he thought the cover was cool, then flow it into the mix and make it feel like it was part of our collective consciousness this whole time. Did he make actual mixtapes that were this cool for his friends back in school? Who cares…. Right now, he’s making another great one for all of us, and you need only tune in next Thursday at 9 a.m. (or check the archive!) for your own copy.

Long Distance Dedication: Michael Roark

Lond Distance Dedication: Michael RoarkCheck out our long distance dedication to DJ Michael Roark (Hazy Ways, Tuesdays noon-3) by DJ Leanne of X-Posure (Wed, 2-4 p.m.)

I met Michael Roark at our very first DJ Mixer before WXNA went on the air in the Spring of 2016. I remember our first conversation was focused on our excitement of having a new freeform radio station in town and all of the music that we wanted to play. That very same excitement about making radio is still alive and well. Michael is a multi-talented DJ. He makes great radio that fits every mood and makes it seem effortless. I love his creativity, appreciate his candor, and his great taste in music.

Each week he takes his foggy notions and musings, and then knits them all together with an excellent blend of eclectic tunes to create the colorful and expansive soundtrack of Hazy Ways (Tues, noon-3 p.m.). He keeps it modern with interesting new sounds on The Friday Afternoon Club (Fri, 1-3 p.m.). Michael is also one heck of a thespian. Remember the Soap Radio Hour? His radio endeavors also include many jobs for the station behind the scenes. I even call upon him when I need a substitute or a concert buddy.

Thank you, Michael. You’re a great friend and a kindred spirit. You rock my world!

Long Distance Dedication: Peter Rodman

Paul Glavin of Eargasm dedicates the following to Peter Rodman

Curating a radio show that merges so many genres and formats into a specific identifiable image is daunting and challenging. It is the equivalent of walking an audio tightrope. Lack of creative discipline can easily send the show into the murky abyss of sounding like the DJ is simply trying to fill the time slot with anything that takes up time. Peter Rodman Goes Off rides the line of balance perfectly in his structured unstructured show of music, talk, interviews and whatever else happens to make him, “go off”. Peter’s show is entertaining, fun, opinionated, and hosted by someone who obviously loves what he’s doing as well as the music he plays. I’m always amazed by the scope and breadth of his knowledge of pop music and his ability to interview his subjects in a conversational manner to bring out the best in them so the listener remains captivated and interested whatever the subject is.

Peter Rodman the person is equally great. I have a fantastic time whenever we have the opportunity to meet up and always leave wishing there was more time to just hang out and yak. Peter was born in New York and I am from the Boston area so I’m sure listening to us having a conversation can be pretty challenging in Nashville when we are at WXNA events especially when the subject turns to baseball. Our Red Sox and Yankees biases become apparent very quickly!

Peter Rodman Goes Off can be heard on Monday from 10am-11am on WXNA and should be required listening for anyone who loves the art of music conversation and perfectly sequenced songs supporting the interview. Now, about those Yankees, Peter…