Tuesday, July 28, 2009

April Wine Review

Well last night was our first birthday bash. To think that Rock 104 is already 1 is insane to think about, but talk about celebrating it right!

The show opened at 7:30 with the winners of our rock 104 star search, Eve's Reflection, and let me tell you, they gained a lot of local fans last night after their set. The riffs that comes from Ben's amp is something that instantly gets the crowd on their side, but when Rocky revs her voice into full rock mode, you could see the heads turning of people not paying attention, into wide eyes and head bopping.

Eve's Reflection delievered a performance that set the stage for an amazing night.

Shortly after 8:30 April Wine took the stage and kicked off a jaw dropping set of hits.

I got a set list after the show, but this is not exactly what they played...Myles decided to switch a few songs mid set, but I was already in "full party" mode, so I am not sure what exactly was changed. but here's the list I have -

Wanna Rock
Big city girls
Dawn
Say Hello
Enough is enough
Lady run, lady hide
Last time I ever sing the blues
Tellin me lies
All over town
Drop your guns
Tonite is a wonderful time
Just between you and me
Anything you want, you got it
Sign of the Gypsy Queen
Roller

ENCORE -
I like to Rock
Oowatanite

It was an incredible show, and I can tell you for a fact that the band had a blast being here. Myles hardly ever stops and really talks to the audience, and he did last night. They were so impressed with the way we filled the grandstand, and the way they were treated.

Thanks to everyone for supporting us at Rock 104!

People are already asking about our 2nd birthday bash...

Thursday, July 23, 2009

One year on the Air @ ROCK 104

My personal concert list got me thinking about how many sweet shows we've sent listeners to in our first year.

  • Nazareth
  • Monsters of Rock - Ozzy, Judas Priest, Serj Tankien
  • Alice Cooper
  • Bob Dylan
  • Metallica
  • Crue Fest - Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach
  • Fleetwood Mac
  • Bachman Cummings
  • AC/DC
  • The Trews
  • Aerosmith
  • ZZ Top
  • Nickelback
Not too shabby for our first year.

Think we have earned our title of "Your concert connection"?

Concerts I've seen

I just wanted to start a list of all the fantastic bands I have been lucky enough to see, and as the list grew, I realized how incredible this list really is.

These are in no particular order -

  • Nickelback
  • Default
  • Big Sugar
  • Tragically Hip (6 times)
  • Sam Roberts
  • Los Lobos
  • Kim Mitchell
  • Our Lady Peace
  • Theory of a Deadman
  • Buckcherry
  • Mobile
  • Roger Waters
  • Pearl Jam
  • Rush
  • Metallica
  • Judas Priest
  • Ozzy
  • Serj Tankien
  • The Trews
  • Nazareth (2 times)
  • B.T.O.
  • Finger Eleven
  • Blue Rodeo
  • Mars Volta
and in the next month

April Wine
Aerosmith
ZZ Top

I know I'm forgetting a couple, and by the way, these are all since about 2002. so in 7 years, not a bad list.

The 4 types of Radio Jocks and my Idol

There are generally 4 types of people that choose radio as their career.

1) The "Newsie" - who enjoys journalism, always searching for that next news story and attending every public meeting they can.

2) The "Fame searcher" - These poor souls believe that if you are in radio, that means your famous and will make a lot of money...these people usually don't last too long in this biz. My broadcasting teacher said on day 1 of college - "If you're in this for the money, there's the door".

3) The "Class Clown" - pretty self explanatory. A lot of fun to listen to, but don't expect to learn anything, or have to think.

4) The "Music Lover" - This is what I strive to be on air. These are the people that want to share their love and knowledge of music. The ones who take every opportunity to see live music and can't wait to talk about it.

My radio hero is Alan Cross. He is the program director of The Edge in Toronto and host of "The ongoing history of new music" check it out @ http://www.exploremusic.com/ongoing-history-of-new-music/ What Alan brings is the story behind the song, and is more of a historian than a radio jock.

Anyone who truly loves music, you will love this guy. They use to be able to stream "OHNM" online, but due to copyright issues with the music, they had to pull it down, but it's still a great site with a ton of info. check it out!