Wendy V's Local Blend

Wendy V's news and thoughts about some local music and musicians you don't hear enough about

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Local Blend archive

1/27-1/29/05

In all honesty...

Like many others in the area, I eagerly tuned in the brand new Minnesota Public Radio station, 89.3, "The Current" at 9 a.m. Monday morning. I've put in quite a few hours listening this week. 

A few comments: 
- I am very glad MPR made the choice to do some diverse programming and I am happy this station is here.

- I understand that a large segment of alternative music fans here are beside themselves with excitement over the programming--I am happy for them. 

- I never got to listen to Mary Lucia much on her previous stations, but I certainly see why people like her. On a personal note, I am happy to hear Mark Wheat back on FM ...I  will always be humbly grateful to him for giving this earnest gal with a heart for supporting local singer/songwriters a shot in the arm and vote of confidence for having me as a guest on KFAI's "Local Sound Department" years ago.

That said, a couple of development points: 

- After listening for several days, for me "The Current" programming doesn't quite yet live up to my definition of a real eclectic format. I need to hear just a bit more style diversity besides alt rock in the mix each hour. (Update after this weekend: it's getting better. I'm starting to hear more variety in artist and genre. I've even found a new band I want to hear more of: DeVotchKa )

- Most importantly, I'd like the 89.3 listenership to give Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole and the "Morning Show" the proper respect that they received for many years on the classical music service (where, technically, their truly eclectic brand of programming should fit better here) and let them do their thing as they've been doing it. Let the folkies, many of whom are staying after 9 a.m. willing to give the station a chance and listen to what it has to offer, and the alt-ies learn from each other. 

And you local musicians out there, make sure 89.3 has a copy of YOUR CD in their music library.

1/24/05

Recently I spent a delightful weekend afternoon in the company of  Rachael Kroog, singer/songwriter and creative jack-of-all-trades. A noted children's performer and regular musician at St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis, her fun and outrageous performances at SJA's annual "Cabaret" concerts are always memorable, and leave you wondering "what will she think of next?" 

Rachael is about to channel all that versatility and her heart and soul into a tour de force production called "ShowStoppers." It'll feature singing, dancing, comedy and impersonations, covering everything from Broadway to Hollywood, vaudeville to 70's TV themes. Following Rachael around at Twin Cities Magic and Costume as she searched for props and costume items was an enjoyable lesson in behind the scenes preparation and insights into the creative process. 

"ShowStoppers" happens Saturday February 26, 7:30pm and 
Sunday February 27, 2:00 pm at The Schneider Theatre, Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 Old Shakopee Rd., 98th St. and Logan Ave. in Bloomington. Ticket prices are $20 adults, $12 seniors & children under 12. See Rachael's website or call 612-483-4060 for ticket information.

1/18/05

Homecoming (of a different sort)

OK, I'm back from L.A. The weather was a lot wetter and not as warm as I hoped. I had to remind myself that 55 degrees is not something you see here often in the Twin Cities in mid-January, after all. I must say, though, if it were Minnesota and we got the amount of rain they had out there, we'd be buried.

Ordinarily, I don't make New Year's resolutions, but this year I decided to. Time to be honest. Over the last couple years, I've spent my time traveling around the country supporting a group of well-known gospel singers. That took me places I never thought I'd go and I made a lot of wonderful friends. The downside of that was, as a fan of nationally known artists, I ran up against a lot of fan competition and was the object of some extreme  jealousy. This and the constant pressure to prove one's loyalty gets old after a while and wears a person down. 

In the process, I did a lot more preaching about supporting the local scene than I had been practicing. I lost my focus and my purpose. This year, after this blasted winter is over, I pledge to "come home" to the coffeehouses. (As most who know me know, I don't do winter driving.) So, if you're playing within a 10 mile radius of St. Paul, you just might see me. Look for the smiling person listening intently.

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