I have been wanting to try to do an audio podcast for quite a while now. I finally got around to getting a microphone and getting it started. With a blog called "Wendy V's Ponderings", what else could I call the thing but "Wendy V's Ponder Cast."
UPDATE: I found a place to host my podcast efficiently and inexpensively and get it to ITunes...so now we are live! You can get to it and subscribe at the link on this page.
Anyhow, I hope you will check it out!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Then it got good...
Around 7 pm I fired up my laptop and streamed in KISN, out of Portland, OR. My old heartthrob when I was 11, Mark Lindsay from Paul Revere and the Raiders, does a request oldies show out of Portland Oregon, called "Mark After Dark". He planned a theme tribute to "Where the Action Is", my favorite music show growing up, with an interview with one of the "Action Kids dancers" that I really wanted to hear. Of course, it came on at the bitter end. But it was so fun listening--some savvy folks that were obviously Mark/Action fans from back in the day made some great requests. Mark does a great job as a DJ with this show, comes off very personable, doesn't get in the way of the music or put the entire focus on himself. Thus, with the two hour time difference I ended up pulling an all-nighter and got to bed at 2 am, something I haven't done since a Praise Gathering in Indianapolis years ago, I think.
Before Mark's show, someone did an awesome "forgotten oldies" show. I believe KISN is perhaps the greatest oldies station in the country since WCBS-FM. We need to pray for this station, that it has good strong ratings books and never gets "JACK-ed".
In the end, even when I was growing up in the 60s, the music always made everything right. Thanks KISN and Mark for taking this birthday from blah to a bash.
Before Mark's show, someone did an awesome "forgotten oldies" show. I believe KISN is perhaps the greatest oldies station in the country since WCBS-FM. We need to pray for this station, that it has good strong ratings books and never gets "JACK-ed".
In the end, even when I was growing up in the 60s, the music always made everything right. Thanks KISN and Mark for taking this birthday from blah to a bash.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Birthday...big deal
I turned 51 today. This birthday hasn't quite measured up to last year, which was of course a milestone, it being my 50th. Can't quite top being in Nashville with Michael McDonald (well, at his concert, that is). It also can't measure up to all the great musical experiences of last weekend. Not that I really expected it to. Yet, it has slipped by unnoticed this year by people who sent me their wishes last year (and whose birthdays I noted quite significantly this past year). I did get some nice message board postings. Except there's one thing I don't quite understand. Some people who as far as I know have been very friendly toward me left birthday greetings for someone else whose birthday was the same as mine, with our postings in about the same spot, but passed over me. Go figure...
I will mention names here. I have one message for Stone Cold Creamery. If you are going to have a birthday club where you send people coupons for a free ice cream, please set it up so they have the coupons the next morning...not in the middle of the day when they've already left the house to go celebrate. Chances are, people will not go out of their way to make a return visit to collect. Of course, the people at the Mall of America store "couldn't do anything about it". After requesting at least a free sample of something, I went to a competitor and enjoyed a healthier fat-free frozen yogurt with caramel instead.
I bought two birthday gifts to myself. One was a headset microphone so I can learn to eventually unleash podcasts on the world. However, it looks like it's only going to work on my laptop, so I need to get some software on it to convert .wav files to .mp3. Anyhow, stay tuned!
Then, as I was heading out of the mall, this gal at a kiosk practically grabbed me and pulled me over to have a look at my nails. She then took my index finger nail and gave it and my hand a full treatment that had it looking like I just stepped out of having a manicure and took 10 years off the look of my right hand. I did have this done once before someplace and remember being very impressed, but not enough to part with money at the time. This girl was not about to take no for an answer--so I told her it was my birthday and she'd have to cut me a deal. Well, she did, to the tune of 35% off. So I'll try this myself on the rest of my fingers. If nothing else, it may discourage me from being a nailbiter. I'm not a big fan of long nails, but this buff polish stuff does make them look pretty slick. I just hope it's not like going to the hair salon, where you can't quite replicate the look yourself afterward.
So not the greatest birthday, but not a total bust. At 7 p.m, it got good..
I will mention names here. I have one message for Stone Cold Creamery. If you are going to have a birthday club where you send people coupons for a free ice cream, please set it up so they have the coupons the next morning...not in the middle of the day when they've already left the house to go celebrate. Chances are, people will not go out of their way to make a return visit to collect. Of course, the people at the Mall of America store "couldn't do anything about it". After requesting at least a free sample of something, I went to a competitor and enjoyed a healthier fat-free frozen yogurt with caramel instead.
I bought two birthday gifts to myself. One was a headset microphone so I can learn to eventually unleash podcasts on the world. However, it looks like it's only going to work on my laptop, so I need to get some software on it to convert .wav files to .mp3. Anyhow, stay tuned!
Then, as I was heading out of the mall, this gal at a kiosk practically grabbed me and pulled me over to have a look at my nails. She then took my index finger nail and gave it and my hand a full treatment that had it looking like I just stepped out of having a manicure and took 10 years off the look of my right hand. I did have this done once before someplace and remember being very impressed, but not enough to part with money at the time. This girl was not about to take no for an answer--so I told her it was my birthday and she'd have to cut me a deal. Well, she did, to the tune of 35% off. So I'll try this myself on the rest of my fingers. If nothing else, it may discourage me from being a nailbiter. I'm not a big fan of long nails, but this buff polish stuff does make them look pretty slick. I just hope it's not like going to the hair salon, where you can't quite replicate the look yourself afterward.
So not the greatest birthday, but not a total bust. At 7 p.m, it got good..
Monday, September 04, 2006
Fun at the Fair..
Well, another Minnesota State Fair has come and gone. This year's was a good one for me. For starters, I love the fact that this year there were two park and ride lots just minutes from where I live (even though the shuttle bus schedules were erratic, at best).
I did take time out from my newly adopted 80% organic way of eating to do my usual food fair: fries, corn, foot long hot dog. I did go in search of the 18-inch hot dog I thought I'd heard about. That turned out to be a corn dog, however, so I passed.
I did not make it to the MPR Morning Show broadcast this year (I'm sorry, Dale and Jim Ed, I still love you!). I had two fair visits this year. The first was detailed in the previous "musical fantasy" post. Before that show, I took in my other tradition, going to the live Channel 5 news broadcasts (and getting my mug on camera). At that broadcast, the audience was charmed and impressed by a country/rock/bluegrass band, the Drew Davis Band, based out of California. They've just been signed to a record deal and have had great success touring with Trace Adkins, among others. These fellows played going in and out of breaks and really bonded with the audience (especially me when fiddle player "the Drake" sat down next to me and played during one of those breaks).
On Sunday, my marathon free show day, I went early to catch the Drew Davis Band's early show. They did a half acoustic and half electric set. They've got great musicianship, solid songwriting and a strong frontman in Drew Davis. I'd keep an ear out for these guys.
I also caught recent Nashville success and Coon Rapids resident Rockie Lynne, who most definitely had a hometown crowd out in force. I bet a lot of these folks were behind him when he was getting started and they must be thrilled to see the success he had with "Lipstick". It was a very good set, and Rockie's a particularly decent guitar player. He introduced a number of biker people who were posing for pictures in front of the stage before the show. Rockie and these folks organize a ride each year to visit loved ones of those who died serving our country to tell them "their loss had not gone unnoticed". Very nice.
Then it was off to the Ramberg Senior Center to visit my buddy Mike Loonan who was playing a number of sets there with one of his musical partners, guitarist Chris Herriges. I'd not heard these two play together before--they regularly do "dueling piano/guitar" gigs where people make requests and they play whatever is thrown out at them. They were up for the challenge in each set I sat through...even polka requests. Of course, you know now that as the years go on, Beatles and Simon and Garfunkle tunes will be the senior set "music of your life" before we know it. Yow.
I was hoping the dire predictions of rain would hold off for the evening. No such luck. By the time I was headed for the bandstand to stake out a seat for a couple of hours to see Brenda Lee, it was pouring. And, it kept pouring. But there was a seat on the front row bench on the end. I wasn't the only one hanging in for three hours. After all, this was one of the greatest female singers who ever lived (in my book) I was waiting on. I was soaked in places my blue tarp Disneyland poncho couldn't reach, my hands were getting shriveled and numb because I couldn't keep them dry. I also was running out of ideas on how to keep my tote bags dry.
But it was worth it. A comic named C. Willi Myles helped us endure the rain. He was entertaining, and clean. He's lived in MN since he went to college at St. Cloud State. A lot of his humor was about being from Alabama and learning about our weather and ice fishing. Then finally it was time for Brenda Lee. I thought it unusual that they played all her hit songs on the sound system as they were setting up for her. She actually only did a few of those in full during her show, the rest were in medley. But hey--she was still Miss Dynamite, and she was so down to earth, humble for all she has accomplished, and very funny. I am very glad I had the opportunity to see and hear one of my musical heroes and legends.
I did take time out from my newly adopted 80% organic way of eating to do my usual food fair: fries, corn, foot long hot dog. I did go in search of the 18-inch hot dog I thought I'd heard about. That turned out to be a corn dog, however, so I passed.
I did not make it to the MPR Morning Show broadcast this year (I'm sorry, Dale and Jim Ed, I still love you!). I had two fair visits this year. The first was detailed in the previous "musical fantasy" post. Before that show, I took in my other tradition, going to the live Channel 5 news broadcasts (and getting my mug on camera). At that broadcast, the audience was charmed and impressed by a country/rock/bluegrass band, the Drew Davis Band, based out of California. They've just been signed to a record deal and have had great success touring with Trace Adkins, among others. These fellows played going in and out of breaks and really bonded with the audience (especially me when fiddle player "the Drake" sat down next to me and played during one of those breaks).
On Sunday, my marathon free show day, I went early to catch the Drew Davis Band's early show. They did a half acoustic and half electric set. They've got great musicianship, solid songwriting and a strong frontman in Drew Davis. I'd keep an ear out for these guys.
I also caught recent Nashville success and Coon Rapids resident Rockie Lynne, who most definitely had a hometown crowd out in force. I bet a lot of these folks were behind him when he was getting started and they must be thrilled to see the success he had with "Lipstick". It was a very good set, and Rockie's a particularly decent guitar player. He introduced a number of biker people who were posing for pictures in front of the stage before the show. Rockie and these folks organize a ride each year to visit loved ones of those who died serving our country to tell them "their loss had not gone unnoticed". Very nice.
Then it was off to the Ramberg Senior Center to visit my buddy Mike Loonan who was playing a number of sets there with one of his musical partners, guitarist Chris Herriges. I'd not heard these two play together before--they regularly do "dueling piano/guitar" gigs where people make requests and they play whatever is thrown out at them. They were up for the challenge in each set I sat through...even polka requests. Of course, you know now that as the years go on, Beatles and Simon and Garfunkle tunes will be the senior set "music of your life" before we know it. Yow.
I was hoping the dire predictions of rain would hold off for the evening. No such luck. By the time I was headed for the bandstand to stake out a seat for a couple of hours to see Brenda Lee, it was pouring. And, it kept pouring. But there was a seat on the front row bench on the end. I wasn't the only one hanging in for three hours. After all, this was one of the greatest female singers who ever lived (in my book) I was waiting on. I was soaked in places my blue tarp Disneyland poncho couldn't reach, my hands were getting shriveled and numb because I couldn't keep them dry. I also was running out of ideas on how to keep my tote bags dry.
But it was worth it. A comic named C. Willi Myles helped us endure the rain. He was entertaining, and clean. He's lived in MN since he went to college at St. Cloud State. A lot of his humor was about being from Alabama and learning about our weather and ice fishing. Then finally it was time for Brenda Lee. I thought it unusual that they played all her hit songs on the sound system as they were setting up for her. She actually only did a few of those in full during her show, the rest were in medley. But hey--she was still Miss Dynamite, and she was so down to earth, humble for all she has accomplished, and very funny. I am very glad I had the opportunity to see and hear one of my musical heroes and legends.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
A Musical Fantasy Fulfilled..
OK, so basically I have two musical fantasies.
The first would be for Mark Lowry and Michael McDonald to hook up (even if it's a picture of the two of them together on Mark's site,that would be good enough for me.)
The second happened last night at the Minnesota State Fair. It was the coming together of what played a big part in bringing me to Minnesota – "A Prairie Home Companion"- and what has kept me here the last 17 years: the local musician scene, and two guys who opened the door to it for me, Tommy Mischke and Michael Loonan.
Tommy was a guest on the PHC Minnesota State Fair show and invited Mike to play guitar in the band. What an incredible opportunity for them (and the other excellent members of Tommy's band). Most folks know of Tommy's success in talk radio, of course, but I've been a big believer in his musical gifts since that solo evening at the old Music City Café many years ago. I still think to this day he is one of the best singer/songwriter/pianists this Twin Cities scene has ever had…I would say he's our own Greg Brown. Now Garrison Keillor has taken serious notice of his talents.
Michael, my dear friend, has worked hard over these past dozen years perfecting his craft and gradually having many great opportunities come his way. No overnight success, rather steadily staying the course, Mike now lives his dream of working from home as a freelance musician, with a full plate of gigs and jobs and uncompromisingly balancing all that with family responsibilities.
No one I know of deserved the break of last night more than these two guys, in my opinion.
Tom and the band did four songs off his superb "Whistle Stop" CD: Land of Lakes (Back to the Water), Thoughts of You, What You Do, and the ultimate highlight for me, Grandpa, a song I've been in love with for 15 years, back when it was called "Nicholas". The band was tight and Tom's voice was rich and full of character. Although I missed his piano playing (a role well filled by CD producer Jared Rush), he made a strong front vocalist. It was way cool to see Mike on the big side screens during a featured guitar solo.
A couple of weeks ago I got a ticket up in the boonies section of the grandstand, and I figured then I'd have to do with that. But, when checking a couple of days ago, Ticketmaster showed a seat in the center ground section, so I went for it. It turned out to be a great seat, closer than I thought I would be. There were signs all over the Fair warning you not to resell tickets, so I chickened on trying to sell the grandstand one. Oh well, I've blown off more money than that on more foolhardy things.
Mike and I had a few moments to talk about all this when we ran into each other before the show. He nailed the whole thing well, as he usually does: we had all come full circle with this evening.
Watch the Prairie Home Companion website for a show archive and perhaps pictures to be posted.
The first would be for Mark Lowry and Michael McDonald to hook up (even if it's a picture of the two of them together on Mark's site,that would be good enough for me.)
The second happened last night at the Minnesota State Fair. It was the coming together of what played a big part in bringing me to Minnesota – "A Prairie Home Companion"- and what has kept me here the last 17 years: the local musician scene, and two guys who opened the door to it for me, Tommy Mischke and Michael Loonan.
Tommy was a guest on the PHC Minnesota State Fair show and invited Mike to play guitar in the band. What an incredible opportunity for them (and the other excellent members of Tommy's band). Most folks know of Tommy's success in talk radio, of course, but I've been a big believer in his musical gifts since that solo evening at the old Music City Café many years ago. I still think to this day he is one of the best singer/songwriter/pianists this Twin Cities scene has ever had…I would say he's our own Greg Brown. Now Garrison Keillor has taken serious notice of his talents.
Michael, my dear friend, has worked hard over these past dozen years perfecting his craft and gradually having many great opportunities come his way. No overnight success, rather steadily staying the course, Mike now lives his dream of working from home as a freelance musician, with a full plate of gigs and jobs and uncompromisingly balancing all that with family responsibilities.
No one I know of deserved the break of last night more than these two guys, in my opinion.
Tom and the band did four songs off his superb "Whistle Stop" CD: Land of Lakes (Back to the Water), Thoughts of You, What You Do, and the ultimate highlight for me, Grandpa, a song I've been in love with for 15 years, back when it was called "Nicholas". The band was tight and Tom's voice was rich and full of character. Although I missed his piano playing (a role well filled by CD producer Jared Rush), he made a strong front vocalist. It was way cool to see Mike on the big side screens during a featured guitar solo.
A couple of weeks ago I got a ticket up in the boonies section of the grandstand, and I figured then I'd have to do with that. But, when checking a couple of days ago, Ticketmaster showed a seat in the center ground section, so I went for it. It turned out to be a great seat, closer than I thought I would be. There were signs all over the Fair warning you not to resell tickets, so I chickened on trying to sell the grandstand one. Oh well, I've blown off more money than that on more foolhardy things.
Mike and I had a few moments to talk about all this when we ran into each other before the show. He nailed the whole thing well, as he usually does: we had all come full circle with this evening.
Watch the Prairie Home Companion website for a show archive and perhaps pictures to be posted.
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