Almost twenty-six years into whatever This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio is supposed to be, I continue to be fascinated by the playlists that result from our collaborative programming. I play a record, then Dana plays a record. That was our approach when we began TIRnRR at the end of 1998, remained our method throughout our years of live-in-the-studio broadcasts, and it's carried through into our post-pandemic remote programming. I play a record. Dana plays a record. There have been occasional theme shows programmed solely by either Dana or me, there have been guest programmers, and there are often moments when one or the other of us wants to program a two-in-a-row or three-in-a-row track sequence. Otherwise, the programming plan we started in '98 is still the programming plan in place today.
Granted, "plan" isn't a word usually associated with TIRnRR programming. But I approach each weekly playlist-building session armed with a bunch of potential song choices, and I believe Dana does the same. The rock 'n' roll radio alchemy ensues as individual selections are weighed, evaluated, combined with others, or deferred to some other week.
We can't predict what the end product will be. I tell ya, even with the selections made and sequenced, I often still can't tell how it's all going to flow, how it's all going to work.
But, invariably, it does flow, and it does work. Like clockwork. Like precision improv, which seems an oxymoron but isn't. It's rock 'n' roll radio. And it's a magic, magic science in action. Fascinating. And fun! This is what the magic science of rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on another Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, streaming at SPARK stream, and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO. Recent shows are archived at Westcott Radio
You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
Carl's new book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get Carl's previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books, OR an autographed copy here. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.
The many fine This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio compilation albums are still available, each full of that rockin' pop sound you crave. A portion of all sales benefit our perpetually cash-strapped community radio project:
TIRnRR # 1256: 10/20/2024
TIRnRR FRESH SPINS! Tracks we think we ain't played before are listed in bold.
TOMMY KEENE: Carrie Ann (eggBERT, VA: Hollies In Reverse)
LA FLEUR FATALE: How Long Is Too Long (Killer Cobra, single)
MOTÖRHEAD: Train Kept A-Rollin' (Chiswick, VA: Good Clean Fun: A Chiswick Sampler)
MILLIE SMALL: Don't You Know (Island, The Best Of Millie Small)
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CONTINENTAL DRIFTERS: I Can't Let Go (eggBERT, VA: Sing Hollies In Reverse)
STEVIE WONDER: Higher Ground (Motown, The Definitive Collection)
THE POSIES: King Midas In Reverse (eggBERT, VA: Sing Hollies In Reverse)
MATERIAL ISSUE: Bus Stop (eggBERT, VA: Sing Hollies In Reverse)
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ELVIS PRESLEY: (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame (RCA, The Top Ten Hits)
CISSY HOUSTON: Down In The Boondocks (Soul Music, The Best Of Cissy Houston)
BLONDIE: Union City Blue (Chrysalis, The Platinum Collection)
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BRINSLEY SCHWARZ: (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding (Yep Rock, NICK LOWE: Quiet Please...The New Best Of Nick Lowe)
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS: This Means War (Blackheart, Good Music)
CARLENE CARTER: If The Shoe Fits (Demon, Musical Shapes/Blue Nun)
SHOES: In Her Shadow (Black Vinyl, Boomerang/Shoes On Ice)
DWIGHT TWILLEY: No Place Like Home (Big Oak, The Best Of Dwight Twilley: The Tulsa Years 1999-2016)
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THE CHRISVANDELAY PROJECT: Your Favorite War (single)
LET'S ACTIVE: I Feel Funny (IRS, Every Dog Has His Day)
ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ATTRACTIONS: This Year's Girl [alternative Eden Studios version] (Universal, This Year's Model [Deluxe Edition])
THE TEMPTATIONS: My Girl (Motown, Gold)
THE RECORDS: Girl (Virgin, Smashes, Crashes, And Near-Misses: The Best Of The Records)
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APRIL YOUNG: Steady Boyfriend (Rhino, VA: One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl Group Sounds--Lost And Found)
LINDA RONSTADT: Poor Poor Pitiful Me (Rhino, Greatest Hits I & II)
RANDY KLAWON: Tonight (single) LITTLE IKE: She Can Rock (Norton, VA: Mad Mike's Monsters Volume 1--A Tribute To Mad Mike Metrovich)
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The Greatest Record Ever Made!
THE BEATLES: I Should Have Known Better (Apple, A Hard Day's Night)
MOON MARTIN: Bad Case Of Lovin' You (Capitol, The Very Best Of Moon Martin)
KISS: Shout It Out Loud (Mercury, Destroyer)
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THE FLASHCUBES: Hold Me Tight (unreleased live)
THE MnM'S: I'm Tired (Burger, Melts In Your Ears 1980-81)
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THE DAVE CLARK FIVE: Bits And Pieces (Hollywood, The History Of The Dave Clark Five)
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: Cecilia (Columbia, Old Friends)
RONNIE SPECTOR AND THE E STREET BAND: Say Goodbye To Hollywood (Sony, VA: Cleveland International Records 1977-1983)
THE RAMONES: Questioningly (Rhino, Road To Ruin)
PAUL McCARTNEY AND WINGS: Junior's Farm (MPL, One Hand Clapping)
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