Grutz says, "Big Star is a big deal." or "When things just line up perfectly."

Seriously, Big Star.

They don't make'em like this anymore.

Earlier this week I posted about the joy I've found in listening to Domino Radio.  It's been interesting, random, fun, weird, unbearable, insightful, or just downright bad (bad as in good, kids).  So I pop it on this morning and what do I find?  About Group doing an hour of Alex Chilton (performances, covers, production, real rare stuff).  Wow.  Check it out.  (Quickly, it ends at 8 am cst!)

Now, what did I read last night at NPR music?  A piece about Big Star, Chilton's band!  I love it when this sh!t happens!

If you miss the hour, go and check out Big Star's #1 Record.  Steal it if you have to.  I'll post bail if necessary.  Just get it.

Grutz says, "Radio is not dead, at least 'til Sunday."

Remember the local radio station.  When it was local?

Before ClearChannel, Dwight Verne ruled the local airwaves.

As many of you know, I'm a huge proponent of public radio, especially Iowa Public Radio's Studio One (excellent music at night, great talk show during the day, oh and yes, I did donate last week).  It's commercial free and reflects local and regional cultural information.  It's a good thing, check out your local station or find one online.  Of course IPR rules, but I'd like to suggest WBEZ out of Chicago and Wisconsin's Ideas network, too.  Still free of the shackles of big brother media.

But Nick, you mentioned radio's not dead?

Oh right, so I was reading on NPR's sight a great story about the Domino Record label out of the UK.  For one week, June 6th-12th, they're running an entirely free and independent radio station.  That's kind of a big deal in the UK, and to a large extent, the US, too.  It's hosted by musicians and others in the music/radio industry.  The host right now is Bobby Gillespie (of The Jesus & Mary Chain and Primal Scream).  It's pretty refreshing or (just downright interesting) to hear The Sweet Inspirations*, Tim Hardin*, Patty Smith, Marianne Faithful, Crazy Horse, Skip Spence, David Crosby, and Johnny Ace (Thanks Mr. Gillespie for the info on Johnny Ace's demise!  Go on, check it out).  It's like getting a musical education by this particular host, it's great. So get to the website and listen.  And who knows, you might be totally floored or hear something you haven't heard in twenty years, or ever!

*Completely new to me and fantastic!  Tim Hardin will break your heart and The Sweet Inspirations included Crissy Houston (mother of Whitney) and Lee Warrick (mother of Dee Dee and Dionne).  Wow.