A weekly audio postcard from the wide musical world of America’s best-loved band!
On the day Jam Cruise returned to terra firma, we received the terrible news that Mike Potashnick had died at the age of 52. Mike was the emcee of Gathering of the Vibes and a beloved character on our music scene. GATHERING OF THE VIBES FESTIVAL LOSES ITS VOICE The New England Arts and Music … Read more
Jon Carroll in today’s San Francisco Chronicle: …a good reason to vote: Because something bad might happen if you don’t. Like Proposition 23 might pass, although I make no recommendations. If you stay home and mutter that the Democrats and the Republicans are the same and they’re all crooks paid off by special interests and … Read more
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has taken a deserved beating in the courts recently, but the posturing, pandering putzim in DC aren’t gonna give up any time soon. I’m talkin’ to you, John “I Never called myself a Maverick, except in the title of my autobiography and a few zillion campaign ads” McCain. Jon Carroll in … Read more
I walked into the Main Street Coffee Works in White Haven, Pennsylvania. I used the bathroom on my way in and then went to the counter to inspect the menu. Facing into the seating area was a TV set tuned to Fox News. First of all: why is there a goddamn TV set in a … Read more
From Tony Zepezauer, posted here with his permission: Back the early ’90s I decided I had to have a Jim Marshall of the Dead, and started saving my money for one. The boom in 60’s rock collectibles was still a couple of years off, and I don’t think he was even represented by a gallery … Read more
This is from my friend, musician and photographer Jef Jaisun: Jim shot my promo pix in 1972. By 1975 he’d inspired me to pick up a camera myself, and I’ve been doing it ever since. Wish that had happened 10 years earlier. Twenty years ago I wanted to use a photo of his on a … Read more
KPFA RAISES $130,000 FOR HAITI SETS ALL-TIME FUNDRAISING RECORD (Berkeley, CA – January 20, 2009) Pacifica radio station KPFA in Berkeley, California is no stranger to on-air fundraising – it’s been running off listener donations since it debuted as the world’s first listener-sponsored radio station in 1949. But the response to KPFA’s one-day Haiti fundraiser … Read more
Johnny Downer, a brilliant guitarist and a sweet, gentle guy, died in Mexico the other night with his guitar in his hands. I got the word yesterday from Pete Cartwright, who set up a gig for Johnny and me in Sebastopol a few years back (one of my favorites of that year). Bandmate Tim Sawyer … Read more
CORRECTION: not tonight – NEXT Friday, December 4. I am going to be talking on Live from the Left Coast, a progressive-talk show hosted by Angie Coiro, from 7 to 8pm PST Friday 12/4/09. She wants me to talk about my cardiac adventure, the ensuing lifestyle adjustments, etc. Angie is a good friend and an … Read more
The bill from my hospitalization in Carson City: $87,452.70