CONCERTS ON THE RIVERFRONT

This year KUPL will be sponsoring two concerts as part of the Rose Festival.  On May 29^th Justin Moore, (along with Christian Kane and Walker Hayes), will take the stage; and June 11^th will be Craig Morgan.  Both will be on the riverfront in what’s being billed as the “RoZone”.

This got me to thinking about an idea I’ve had for quite awhile now.  About not just having concerts on the riverfront, but actually having them on the water.  It’s not something that hasn’t already been done.  Alan Jackson for one has held concerts on the water before.  My idea is along the same lines, just on the Willamette River instead of somewhere in the south.

I’ve always thought the Morrison Bridge would be a cool place to have a concert.  On one side the bridge pillars have these big areas that extend out from them, (see photo below); that always remind me of a stage. 

                                     

I think it would be cool to have bands on each one, and have people be able to gather around the bridge in their boats.  For those without water transportation, they could line up along either side of the waterfront to hear the music.

Another idea would be to have people enter contests, (through radio stations, TV stations, etc.), where they could win a chance to actually be on the “stage” part of the Morrison bridge while the performance is going on.  Maybe tie that in with a sponsor, like La-Z-Boy for instance.  They could provide the seating for the event, and the winners would get to keep the chairs.  Or there could just be regular seating, like folding chairs, for those sitting on the stage.

My reasoning for using both areas of the bridge is simple:  Start with a singer, band, etc., on one area; when they’re done, the show can switch instantly to the other area, with no interruption of the music.  While the second act is performing, if there’s to be a third, the first area could be readied.  The entertainment would keep switching between the two areas until the concert was over.

Another cool thing about the Morrison Bridge is that it can be lit up at night.  All the more reason it reminds me of a stage. 

I’m guessing since the bridge can have different colors for lighting, it could be used to light the stage area for a night time show also.

Over all, I don’t know if any of this is really possible.  As I said though, I’ve always thought it was a cool idea, so I decided to share that idea here. 

THE NEW BRIDGE

Anyone who lives in Oregon or Washington knows there’s been plenty of talk and planning for a new bridge.  Monday, April 25, 2011, those in charge of the project revealed what the new bridge will look like.

Sighting economic reasons, as well as others, it’s been decided the new bridge will be the same type as the Glenn Jackson Bridge; a low, flat, concrete structure.

On “Simon in the Morning” the next day, Jolynn Winter had the “blues” about the decision.  (For those who haven’t heard her, Jolynn takes current topics and sings bluesy parodies about them.)  Jolynn lamented about the bridge being boring to look at; that a bridge should be something beautiful to see.

 Jolynn’s song put an idea into my head about how to make the bridge beautiful, help the environment, turn negatives into positives and overall create a win-win situation.

Anyone in Oregon and Washington needing to get rid of old paint could take it to designated drop-off areas.  In return for the paint, people would get a tax write-off for their donation.  Since there’s talk of the bridge charging a toll, to help with expenses, each person would also receive a voucher good for a certain amount of toll free passes over the bridge.  The more paint donated, the larger the voucher.

The paint would be used to paint the new bridge.  Those doing the painting would be people sentenced to community service; especially anyone who’s been arrested for tagging and graffiti.  This would allow the person to fulfill their community service, while expressing themselves creatively and legally.  There would be some limits of course.  The artistry would have to be something that would be appealing to the masses. 

To be honest, all of this was off the top of my head, so if it was to happen, it would have to be worked out more.  Then again, that could take another few years.  So for now, that’s all there is…Just a random thought I had and decided to share.  J

Congrats to KUPL!!!

Woo hoo!  According to the most recent Arbitron ratings, KUPL is THE #1 country station in the Portland Metro area...Congratulations KUPL!!!

Considering this blog is linked to the KUPL website, you may think my congratulations are a bit biased.  Actually, I'd be wishing them congratulations, regardless of whether I had this blog or not.  I've been a KUPL listener for a long time now, and have seen a lot of the changes the station has been through; including moving from 98.5 to 98.7 on the radio dial.

Like any other listener, there's things over the years I've liked, and things I haven't.  Let's face it, it doesn't matter who, or what it is, no one/nothing will please everyone all the time.  It's life, it's what makes things interesting.

I, like other listeners, wasn't happy about how things happened with Lee & Alana.  After Lee, (and Jim E. Chonga), being at the station for so many years, it was sad when it all came to an end.  I also realize though, that it was business.  That doesn't mean things should have happened how they did...it's just how radio works.

Listeners of Lee & Alana definitely were NOT happy about the change.  A lot of things were said about never listening to KUPL again, etc.  And a lot of those listeners did stop listening.

I've always felt however, that before giving up on something that's changed, it should be given a chance to prove itself. If I didn't truly believe this, I would have stopped listening to KUPL when Smokey Woods left the station.

On January 4, 2010, KUPL, (now owned by Alpha Broadcasting), started their new morning show, "Simon & Sam in the Morning".  It was a rough start.  Even listeners who stayed with KUPL were not happy with the new show.

At a station event that same month, the morning show got an earful about what listeners liked and didn't like about the new show.  To their credit, the morning show team did take to heart what was said, as the following Monday you could hear some changes taking place.  It was still a rough go however.

If it wasn't hard enough trying to get a new morning show running, the afternoon drive time shift was, in my opinion, "all over the place"...It seemed like it took forever to finally have a permanent person at the helm.

Not long after the afternoon drive slot was filled, yet another change took place at KUPL.  Rick "Bubba" Taylor was let go after 25+ years at the station. Some listeners who'd stuck out the morning show change began bailing after that. I still had the "stick it out and see how it goes" mind set; though I did check the "other" station occasionally, to hear what they had going on. 

I'm a person who likes live DJ's on the air.  For me, it's as important as the music that's being played.  That's why, even though the "other" station had more music variety at the time, I kept listening to KUPL...The DJ's at the other station just didn't hold my attention.  I'm glad I stuck it out with KUPL.

By April, 2010, "Sam" left the morning show and Earthquake Jake became a permanent part of "Simon in the Morning".  Things just seemed to steadily take off from that point.  "Simon in the Morning" has evolved steadily over the past year, and they really make people laugh.  What I like about them is, they're real...You can tell what you hear on the air is what you get in person.  The laughter is genuine, not forced, and you can tell, Scott, Jolynn and Jake really get along.  While not trying to take anything away from Lee Rogers, or anyone else previously on the KUPL morning shift, to me, this is the best, most real, morning show KUPL has ever had in all the years I've been listening.  More proof for me was when a friend of mine, (a die-hard listener of the "other" station), told me she'd switched over permanently to KUPL.  This is a person who, guaranteed, wouldn't have done that if she didn't want to.

To be honest, I was excited when Lola came to KUPL.  I'd remembered her from the other station in Portland, before I'd started listening to KUPL.  Liked her then, and still like her now.  Again, just my opinion:  I think Lola is a great shot in the arm to middays on KUPL.  Like the morning team, Lola is a "what you see is what you get", person; she's real.

Over all, I think KUPL has dialed in well to what listeners want; not just with the DJ's, but with contests, music, the whole station package in general.  Obviously it's not something that happened overnight; it's taken over a year to get to the point KUPL is under the leadership of Alpha Broadcasting. As stated at the beginning of this blog though, the latest Arbitron ratings are solid proof of how well KUPL is doing.  So congrats again KUPL!  Keep up the great work!

Simon in the Morning-4-19-11--Favorite Tim McGraw Songs

Yesterday's “Simon in the Morning” show reminded me just how much I sometimes see things differently than the rest of the world.

Listeners were asked to either call KUPL, or post on the “Simon in the Morning” Facebook page, their favorite Tim McGraw song.  Near the end of the show, the votes were tallied and a list of the top 5 Tim McGraw songs was compiled.

When I heard the #1 listener voted song, “Live Like You Were Dying”, I realized I wouldn’t have chosen that song; it wouldn’t have even crossed my mind.  For as sentimental and caring as I am, for some reason I tend to shy away from songs like this one.  I have no idea why. 

It got me to thinking of other songs that were big hits that I just didn’t understand how it could be.  
The first song I thought of was “Amazed” by Lonestar, which was a huge hit.  To me, it’s okay, though their cover of Marc Cohen’s “Walkin’ in Memphis” is a song I like much better.  Also, Lonestar had a minor hit with the song “Mountains”; another song I like even more than “Amazed”.

Then there’s the late Chris LeDoux.  In my opinion, just about everything Chris recorded is underrated. This point is emphasized by the song, “Life is a Highway”.  Most people know the Rascal Flatts version from the movie “Cars”.  However, Chris had a minor hit with the song well before Rascal  Flatts recorded it.  Though the Flatts’ version is good, I still like Chris’ better.

Of course, before Chris LeDoux, the writer of “Life is a Highway", Tom Cochrane had a minor hit with it in 1991.  No offense to Tom, but I really don’t like his version at all. 

Even when it comes to my all-time favorite country artist, David Lee Murphy, I have to be honest…I’ve never quite understood how “Dust on the Bottle" became a #1 hit; yet “Party Crowd” and “Loco” didn’t.  “Dust on the Bottle” just isn’t one of my favorite DLM songs, while I love both “Party Crowd” and “Loco”.

I could ramble on and on about any number of songs I like; and how most of them are ones others probably wouldn’t choose to be a hit.  I’ll end this for now though, secure in the knowledge that the tuba player I follow is still within my sight.  :)

Reality TV--I've Been Sucked In!!

When it comes to "reality" shows, I'm pretty good at avoiding them.  Until recently, I could proudly state that I'd never seen even part of an episode of Celebrity Apprentice. 

As much as I like Trace Adkins, even he couldn't get me to watch the show.  Then this year, one celebrity changed all that.  You probably think I mean John Rich, who currently represents country music on Celebrity Apprentice...Nope.  I actually gave in because of my childhood crush...David Cassidy.  (Please feel free at this point to take a moment to get the laughing out of your system.  It's okay, I'm used to it.)   :)  Better?  Okay, let's continue.

Until I heard that David Cassidy would be on Celebrity Apprentice, I had no interest in watching the show.  Even at that point I was still resisting tuning in...Then I heard who the other celebrities were, and I was intrigued.  How could you not want to watch  Gary Busey  interact with the rest of the celebs?  It had "train wreck" written all over it!  Or as I like to put it, "it's like watching a stock car race; you're waiting for the big wrecks, just hoping no one gets hurt".

So, giving in to temptation, I tuned in to the first Celebrity Apprentice show of 2011...Two hours later, what do I get?  David Cassidy gets fired!  ARGH!!!  By then however, it was too late, I'd been sucked in by the show.

Now, for two hours every Sunday night, I'm in front of my television, waiting for the wrecks and to see who gets fired.  Never mind that it plays havoc with my sleep and getting up early on Monday mornings.  Never mind that I could watch the show online at a later date...No, I have to see it when it's happening...Don't want to have someone spoil it for me.  :)

You may think I'm sounding a bit negative about something I've done to myself...In reality though, (every pun intended), I've found a positive in all of this.  I'm not a fan of John Rich. (from Big & Rich)...However, after watching him on Celebrity Apprentice, I do have a new respect for the man.

Despite everything his team, (Backbone), has gone through, good and bad, John has behaved as a gentleman.  When he's angry, he speaks his mind, without losing his temper.  He's up front and honest about what he thinks and how he feels, and he's not afraid to say so.  All the while he tries to make his point without ruffling feathers, unless it's necessary.  As my son put it, "for as rowdy a reputation as John Rich has, he's a class act".  I agree.

So, that's my positive spin on being sucked in to watching Celebrity Apprentice.  It's taught me that people can still behave, be classy, stand up for what they believe in and get their point across without losing control.

Not sure if I'll watch another season of Celebrity Apprentice or not; but I guess I don't regret watching this season...for now anyway...I'll have to see if who I want to win, wins this year.  :)

Randy Houser--"In God's Time"

I have to admit, I'm not one for "cookie cutter" singers.  I lean more towards those who have a unique style and sound.  A voice that is recognizable from all the others you hear on the radio daily.  To me, Randy Houser is one of those singers. 

From his first radio single, "Anything Goes", to the rowdy "Boots On", Randy has been garnering attention with his diverse musical style.

His latest single, "In God's Time",  is supposed to hit radio later this month.  This isn't the usual rockin' country song Randy is known for.  It's a more introspective song that speaks of how sometimes we don't always get things when, or how we want them; that everything happens in God's time.

While "In God's Time" hasn't been "officially" recorded for CD release, early buzz on the song prompted Randy to make a video of himself singing the song. 

Hopefully when this song is released to radio, people will embrace it and believe in it as much as Randy does. 

Take a listen and see what you think.

THE DIRT DRIFTERS

Since opening in August, 2010, the Bing Lounge has had several country acts pass through its doors.  The latest concert, hosted by KUPL on April 5, 2011, featured The Dirt Drifters.

The band consists of lead singer/guitarist Matt Fleener; vocalist/guitarist Ryan Fleener; vocalist/guitarist Jeff Middleton; bassist Jeremy Little and drummer Nick Diamond.

Though The Dirt Drifters have built a solid fan base over the years, it’s just recently that they’ve had their music played on the radio.  Their current single is, “Something Better”, a tune that tells of people always waiting for something better to come along.  It’s a catchy tune reminiscent of something Toby Keith would sing.

Despite, (or maybe because of), their diverse musical backgrounds, these five guys have meshed well, creating some amazing music.  During their performance at the Bing Lounge, it was obvious how passionate The Dirt Drifters are about what they do.  Whether a moving song about a blue collar dad working hard; a rowdy tune about men and motel rooms; or anything in between; the band delivered each song with depth and clarity, as well as beautiful rhythm and harmony.

If that weren’t enough, they told the stories behind the songs; about life on the road, traveling by van and RV; how their first RV burned; and gave everyone a glimpse of who these guys are aside from the music.  It was very personable and at times funny.

After their performance, the band stayed to sign autographs and have photos taken with anyone wanting one.  Just as they were onstage, all of the Dirt Drifters were very friendly with everyone, taking the time to talk with each person, and treating them as if they were the only one there.

The whole experience, beginning to end was, in one word, AWESOME!

In summary, if you ever have a chance to see The Dirt Drifters perform live, GO!  You won’t regret it!

If you're interested in learning more about the Dirt Drifters, their official website is: http://www.thedirtdrifters.com/.  You can also find them on Facebook.