Last night was a first, I co-hosted John Platt’s On Your Radar. I feel terrible that it was because John had a stroke but I did enjoy the challenge. I’d love to host another show.
Richard Cuccaro and I had a voice conference with John to prepare us. We divided the hosting duties between us. I volunteered to do the part that’s difficult for me, handling the money. I’m great at the skills, but it’s an anxiety trigger. That was deliberate. It’s easier for me to handle other people’s money so it’s good practice My therapist will pat me on my back.
I got my ego comeuppance before the show. I help out John so I get to go into the show before doors. Back when we were at Rockwood 2 I would walk by Richard and mock him and the peasants for having to wait outside. Yesterday the let Richard in early but not me. I couldn’t figure that one out. So I waited outside with Coco and Abe, not the worst thing. The only problem was it ate into the time I had set aside for eating. I needed to talk to the person from Rockwood that was going to give me the money. Not being able to do that made me wait a long time for dinner.
Things went fairly smoothly, doors opened late but that would have happened if John were there. There are three tables down front that are reserved, John takes the middle, Fred and I house left and Richard House right. As we were hosting Richard and I moved to the middle. It’s just like an election; after the primary the candidates move to the middle. Beth and Perry to my place to the left. I thought Coco was taking the table on the right but she didn’t. I’m not sure who did.
John emailed me a voice message for the audience which I emailed to Rob on sound. I knew the crowd would love hearing John’s voice. John introduced Richard and me. Richard did the opening, and introduced and interviewed the first act, Belle of the Fall. I had never seen them and was pleasantly surprised. They were a duo as were the other two acts. It was a trio of duos. That was the tag line for the evening. They tag line says Like Simon and Garfunkel I Garfunkel was were a woman and the shorter one. I did not find that apt. On their Facebook page I wrote “thoughtful lyrics with intricate harmonies. The audience and I enjoyed their set.
The LYNNes is the duo of Lynn Miles and Lynne Hanson. I was already a fan of Lynn Miles. Red Molly covered one of her songs. Black Flowers. I’m an idiot and got that wrong the other day and said it was Coal Tattoo. that’s by They are both great, sad, coal mining songs. That’s redundant, all coal-mining songs and stories are tragic. I also confuse Coal Tattoo with the Joe Crookston song Blue Tattoo. That’s not about coal mining even though blue coal is a thing. Know what else is a thing? The LYNNes have a song, Blue Tattoo. The did that just to confuse me. Hazel, Lynn, and Joe are exceptional songwriters, at least they won’t be embarrassed by the comparison.
How are the LYNNes like Richard Thompson? They are known for their songs but could both fill their slot doing stand-up comedy. Their songs are sad but their banter is hysterical. Do you know what the collective noun for Canadians is? An apology of Canadians. Lynne came up with that. They finished off their set off mic; Lynne stood on a chair because “in America health care is free” and Lynn wandered around the room. They have musical chops. Songwriting, humor, and showmanship. They are on my can’t miss list. I wouldn’t have wanted to follow them.
Good thing Ryanhood was up to the challenge. They were aided by the very attractive emcee that took over for Richard after the Lynnes’ set. At least I looked better than I usually do in my cool black and charcoal outfit. As long as I don’t have to do it often, it’s fun to dress up. I even shaved. I thought of only shaving my left side, where Jamie sits but Fred is on my right, so I had pictures from both sides.
I prepared questions for the interview:
- Have you thought of being backed by a band?
- Who do you listen to that would surprise your fans?
- Cameron studied Studio Art and Ryan Business Management at Berklee, do you use that training to divide the Ryanhood workload?
- What brought Cameron to Boston?
- Why did you move back to Tucson?
- Is there a music scene in Tucson?
- Do you know Michael Ronstadt
I ended up asking only 1 and 3. If I were to err I wanted it to be on the side of less me. They gave full and thoughtful answers, Yes but no, and Yes. They explained in greater detail than that. The only I want to ask every band is 2. I could keep wondering or I can ask Ryan and Cameron to answer on Facebook. I choose that. I’m expecting an answer.
I figured out what Ryanhood does. They make great music. There is so much there there. There is lyrical and musical depth. There’s musicianship. For those that care about such things the have beautiful voices and Carey assures me that they are cute. Most bands that win the Emerging Artist Showcase at Falcon Ridge have a fan base on hand to vote for them. Ryanhood comes from Arizona, nobody knows them from Ryan Adams. What they had going for them was talent. They are just that good.
We had a special guest out of town guest in the audience, Maria from Harpeth Rising. I knew she was going to be in town and invited her to come. Harpeth Rising and Ryanhood are siblings, the are both managed by
The Sparrow Agency, in the person of David, Jordana’s husband. I think that makes them bandmates-in-law.
I had a long night of saying goodbye; that was a good thing as it took me quite some time to collect the money to distribute to the bands. I did no embezzle anything!
I finally got to eat shortly before 10 PM. I went over to Rosario’s pizza. Maria had already eaten so she didn’t join me. Now we have to food dates, barbecue in Brooklyn and Rosario’s pizza. Maria is my people.
Getting home is always an adventure. The D wasn’t running so took the 4. It ran local. The City conspired to slow me down but John planned a show that made me happy.
It’s nine o’clock. I better make dinner. Tomorrow I’ll tell you of today’s medical adventure.
Wise Madness 