As the words from Neil Diamond’s song Beautiful Noise say, “It’s the sound that I love, and it fits me as well as a hand in a glove.” Born in Nagano, Japan, where my dad, while in the service, met my mom, I began my life as a
military brat. Constantly moving abroad to foreign countries and throughout the United States made it difficult for me to build lasting relationships growing up. However, no matter where we moved or lived, the one lifelong relationship that developed and continues to this day is my love for music. From my early years with a transistor radio pressed against my ear, until now when I’m listening to the Rock-O-La Jukebox in my Man Cave or just have Inside the Gates Radio playing in the background, music has been and always will be an important part of my everyday life. Whether it’s Music to Your Ears, Rings a Bell, Strikes a Chord, or even if it’s the Same Old Song and Dance, music is indeed the universal language we all relate to as individuals. When in an elevator, in a grocery store, or in the dentist's chair, you will hear it. It’s played on a wedding day. It’s played at celebrations of life. Whatever the occasion, Music speaks a language we can all feel and relate to. Being a Baby Boomer, I feel blessed growing up with what I believe to be the best music of our generation. From it’s earliest roots until today, music is like food and there is not much I don’t like! Music, as the Beach Boys put it, goes good with the soul. My show’s title, Beautiful Noise, was taken from one of my favorite Neil Diamond songs and is just as the words say, “It’s the sound that I love, and it fits me as well as a hand in a glove.” Whatever your preference of Beautiful Noise may be, quite honestly, you can hear it on my show. A wide variety of songs, including Classic Rock, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Pop, and Country, to be heard and enjoyed by all who listen. Moving to Big Canoe was one of the best decisions I made in my life. This place is seriously a piece of heaven here on earth. Making it just a little bit better, I was introduced to Inside the Gates Radio Station and the Music of Big Canoe by its Co-founder and Music Director, Craig Looney. It wasn’t long after, that the LooneyMan asked if I would consider trying my hand at doing a live show. I soon became the station's fifth D.J. Unlike some of the other DJs on our team, I had no experience or background when it came to being behind a microphone or an instrument, but I did not let that slow down my chances of doing a live weekly broadcast. Fast forward a year and a half, we now have 7 DJs bringing live shows each evening of the week. For me personally, it’s been an amazing experience and I’m enjoying my ride on the airwaves every Thursday evening with my listeners. Big Canoe has so much to offer including its many amenities to be enjoyed by all with different tastes. Whether you like to golf, play tennis or pickleball, cruise Lake Petit on a pontoon, enjoy one of our many hiking trails, or just get a workout at the fitness center. I’m here to tell you about the best amenity offered and it is absolutely free. That’s right, Inside the Gates Radio comes with no monthly dues and can enjoyed by all with different tastes in music, only on Inside the Gates Radio Visit our website at: wwwinsidethegatesradio.com Join me Thursdays at 6 pm and Let's Make Beautiful Noise Together! Text me during my live show: 727-463-0069 Email: titleistd1@aol.com
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*This 1985 song was written to celebrate the street buskers of London. The song benefitted from a catchy keyboard sound and was the 2nd single released from this band's 1985 album, the 1st having established the band as MTV darlings. Add to that the song's incorporation of 'woos'...something that the writer regretted when listening to it later, because there were just so many of them. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song...
*A 1971 track from a quite famous double album was written from the perspective of a man who is hated and shunned. He's asking for empathy, but is clearly unhinged and seems to have anger issues. The lyrics were based on the band's guitarist whose own feelings of angst coming from expectations and pressure to be someone he's not. Name the band, the guitarist and extra credit for the name of the track... *This band had three members until 1977 when one of them left to pursue a career in a totally different genre. The other 2 continued as a duo, but struggled to find a hit with a cover of California Dreamin' being their only charting hit in the time period of 1977-1981. And then they recorded this song about a skeptic who doesn't believe in love until he meets a girl who shows him it's real. Part of the song was a nod to the Crosby, Stills & Nash song, Suite Judy Blue Eyes, which contains a similar musical section. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *This great band's keyboard player wrote a song which is about life, gradually descending into death. Hence the angrier and more intense first half with a dying person refusing to "go gently into that good night." The 2nd half is gentler, as the dying person gives into the inevitable and fades away. This track, was one of only a few band's songs to use a female vocalist. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Band on the Run by Paul McCartney vs Dirty Laundry by Don Henley ANSWERS 1. Dire Straits, Walk of Life 2. The Who, Pete Townshend, Behind Blue Eyes 3. America, You Can Do Magic 4. Pink Floyd, The Great Gig In The Sky Battle of the Bands : Don Henley won with 52% of votes *This 1970 track from a Brit band is all about a man who is unhappy with the modern world. He is looking to escape the problems created by his fellow human beings, so he plans a journey away from home, where he can live like the subject of the song's title. Name the band and the title of this 1970 track...one that appeared in the 1986 Robin Williams movie, Club Paradise...
*During the recording of this 1979 album and specifically this song, the band did some 70 takes of it...trying to achieve the right feel the band's leader felt it deserved. It got so tedious that the guitar player (and co-writer of the track) ultimately just walked out of the studio, leaving the project for a few days, claiming he just had a mental breakdown. This great album held down the #2 position in the US for 7 straight weeks...being held out of the #1 slot by Pink Floyd's, The Wall. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... *In 1974 this great band's frontman wrote a breakup song in which the man is regretting his decision. Despite writing the track and handling many of the group's lead vocals, another member sang lead. The song portended a shift in the band's musical style, as they began recording more ballads and relying less on horns. Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Al Jardine, all of The Beach Boys sang backup on this track. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song that was this band's 3rd track to reach #1 on the Adult Contemporary Charts... *This exceptional artist played a pivotal part in at least two of the major musical movements of the classic rock era. He started his professional career with a band that helped pioneer the British Invasion. The other band in question helped usher in the transition from hippie folk-rock to the reflective singer/songwriters of the 70's. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the ground-breaking bands... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt vs Blue Bayou by Roy Orbison ANSWERS 1. Kinks, Apeman 2. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Refugee 3. Chicago, Wishing You Were Here 4. Graham Nash, Hollies, Crosby, Stills & Nash Battle of the Bands : Linda Ronstadt won with 54% of votes I am Delaine Faris, Big Canoe’s Rock and Roll Woman and your musical hostess on Wednesday nights. Welcome to The Journey….only on Inside The Gates Radio. This show explores rock’s classic roots through today’s new music…..and a little of everything in between. And, that is how I start every new edition of my show from the woods, waters, and wonders of Big Canoe. But, how did I get here? What is The Journey?
Well, my love for all things rock started as a little girl growing up in Houston, TX in the 1960’s. My Dad could play any song he heard on our upright piano after a single listen and we would entertain each other for hours. Him playing and me singing and dancing beside him to his versions of Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, and Cole Porter. He loved all genres of music and so did I. He knew every note and I knew every word. I did not have my Dad’s piano talents and he tried in vain to teach me. I had a different plan. I had seen something on TV that rendered my Dad’s piano obsolete. It was a group called the Beatles and I decided I wanted to play the drums like a guy named Ringo. My Dad was a firm no on the little girl rock drummer idea, believing that juvenile delinquency was sure to follow, so we picked up a new hobby. He was a switch engineer for the phone company who also loved electronics. So, we would build Radio Shack hobby kits together. It was a glorious moment when the last wire was connected and a bulb lit or a sound was heard. And one of those kits was a magical radio and radio would become my constant companion throughout the 70’s. Just pause a moment to think about the incredible rock music, the concerts, and that new type of radio station that hit the airwaves around that time …. FM Album Oriented Rock. Fortunately for me, Houston, TX was the home of one of the most legendary FM AOR stations in the US. 101 KLOL Runaway Radio was the coolest thing in the world taking a style-queue from the pirate radio stations blasting from across the border in Mexico, who could play anything they wanted free of the US government regulations. And, they had a woman DJ. Dana Steele became my idol and her listeners were known as, Steelworkers. A couple of other musical hosts that became cultural icons started to influence this budding young wanna-be DJ. On Saturday at noon, a new show came out called Soul Train with, Don Cornelius and on Friday at Midnight, I would stay up for Wolfman Jack and the Midnight Special. On these shows, I would see Al Green, Sly & the Family Stone, Grand Funk Railroad, and Fleetwood Mac among many others. Everything was influenced for me and my friends from our clothes to our hair to our attitudes. We were now Rockers!. Enter the early 1980’s and a cultural earthquake was about to strike. Video Killed the Radio Star, by English Band the Buggles was the first music video shown on MTV in the US, airing at 12:01 a.m. August 1st in 1981. Did video kill the radio star? Did commercial interests ruin our beloved FM stations as Tom Petty sings, in The Last DJ? Debatable, because after four decades and a long career that started as non other than a Radio Shack store manager, I find myself behind a streaming community radio station microphone living my lady DJ dreams with six of the most talented fellow DJ’s I could ever find. A “Journey” if you will. What can you expect to hear when you tune into my show on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM EST? Rock from past to present and everything in between from R&B to Soul to Country and a sprinkle of American Classics, think Sinatra. And with a nod to FM radio’s album oriented days, each week we play a perfect album side uninterrupted and recommended by a listener. We pride ourselves at Inside the Gates Radio for our direct connection to our listeners. Throughout our shows, our listeners interact with us via text from Big Canoe and all over the world through the magic of technology and internet streaming. Tune in Wednesday for a Journey not measured in miles, but in the joy of our listeners celebrating time spent together with a drink of choice and the music of our lifetimes. Delaine Faris Live Show: “The Journey” Wednesday Nights 6:30 PM EST Text during live show: 404-444-2070 Email: delainefaris@me.com *As a songwriter, this artist has long displayed a somewhat theatrical bent, and has created a handful of stock characters who seem to, with certain variations, continue to reappear in his songs over the years. One of the artist's favorites is the not-so-lovable rogue whose fondness for adventure and aversion to consequence often leads to perilous situations. This 1978 track features an anti-hero in need of and imploring for specific support. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song...
*A song from this band's 1974 album is considered one of, if not, their smoothest (that is saying something) and a true exemplar of the 1970's California sound. The lyrics attempt to comfort the singer's friend who is going through a difficult time. The refrain in the beginning starts with encouraging lyrics from one friend to another in a time of need. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *A 1975 live album contained this very romantic love ballad. The artist is telling his girl that he loves everything about her and wants to be with her day and night. The track actually went nowhere when it was released first as a single, but when it was included on the live album a year later, it became one of many huge hits. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the track... *A 1971 hit produced one of their most well-known songs, but this band wasn't looking for a hit at the time. The album version ran 8:29, but was edited to 3:27 for release as a single. It climbed to #13 on the US Hot 100 giving the band their biggest hit until another track eclipsed it 12 years later in 1983. The first time the band heard the song, it was on the radio. They had no idea it had been released. They objected to the amount of editing...that is until it became a big hit. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Sussudio by Phil Collins vs Baby, I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton ANSWERS 1. Warren Zevon, Lawyers, Guns and Money 2. Steely Dan, Any Major Dude Will Tell You 3. Peter Frampton, Baby, I Love Your Way 4. Yes, Roundabout Battle of the Bands : Peter Frampton won with 54% of votes *Back in 1972, a gent by the name of Elliot Randall, who was not a member of the band in the studio at the time, stopped by on an invite from an existing member while they were recording the track we'll enjoy this evening. One thing led to another and he ended up playing the guitar solo, marking the first time of many, the band would use studio musicians. By their 4th album, nearly every player was a studio musician. Randall would go on to play on 2 additional albums by the band. Name the band and of course, extra credit for the name of the track...
*Born and raised in west suburban Maywood, Illinois, this artist was a prominent member of Chicago's folk revival in the early 70's. Not merely a gifted musician, but a masterful storyteller as well...bringing light to heavy topics of love, life and current events. Working part-time as a mailman and some of the clubs all around Chicago, he was discovered by a young journalist named Roger Ebert, who gave him his 1st ever review in the Chicago Sun Times and it was quite popular. Name the artist... *We'll play a song from 1967 that is all about Marianne Faithfull, the British singer/actress who had a most famous romance with Mick Jagger at one time. Additionally, she dated the singer/guitarist of this band for a short time. 'Marianne' was then altered to the character name of the track, so it would not be totally obvious. The band kept it a secret until 1995, when a key member of the band spilled the beans in a documentary. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... *In 1968, this keyboardist was fine-tuning a career in music that was about to take a giant step forward. The song we'll enjoy was written with that intent in mind. But he did not release it until he joined this band in 1969 and he shared with the rest of the band a song that was perfect for them. The track was included on the group's 1969 album, but was not released as a single until 1970 with a slower pace, a different key and a string section. It became one of, if not the most well-known ballads the band ever had. Name the artist, the band he joined and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Spare Me A Little Of Your Love by Fleetwood Mac vs The Joker by Steve Miller Band ANSWERS 1. Steely Dan, Reelin’ in the Years 2. John Prine 3. Hollies, Carrie-Ann 4. David Gates, Bread, It Don’t Matter To Me Battle of the Bands : Steve Miller Band won with 53% of votes *We'll enjoy a track from 1983 by an artist known for his dark humor. It hit the charts right in the middle of the 1984 Summer Olympics in California and had a rather strong Beach Boys/Brian Wilson influence. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song...
*Going back to its release in 1970, this track became the title of the band's 3rd album. Oddly enough, the track was not included on that album because the band just didn't like the way it sounded at the time. 2 years later...they brought it back and it became a rather large hit for them. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *Back in the 70's, this artist started his quite successful musical career around the same time as did Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp...two artists that tended to keep him from the spotlight and fame that he would ultimately achieve. Springsteen had the fawning support of the New York-based media while Mellencamp embraced high-profile political causes like Farm Aid and married a beautiful model. Name the U.S. artist that did not have any of the previously mentioned marketing advantages, but would go on to release some exceptional music for decades that followed... *We will play one of the longest songs ever released by this incredible band. It ran 7 minutes and 14 seconds, but the lead singer's work was completed in the first 2:45 as the groove played out over the next four-and-a-half minutes. The jam has a distinct Santana influence. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Waiting for the Sun by The Doors vs It Keeps You Running by The Doobie Brothers ANSWERS 1. Randy Newman, I Love L.A. 2. The Doors, Waiting for the Sun 3. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band 4. Rolling Stones, Can’t You Hear Me Knocking? Battle of the Bands : Doobie Brothers won with 61% of votes *We'll enjoy a song which appears to be a narration of a rock-bottom suburbanite's fantasy of becoming a romantic saxophonist. The assumption here is that the guy is ready to ditch his life to become the musician of his dreams, but it is unclear if the guy actually achieves his dream or even if he can even play the horn. Name the song and the band that released it in 1978...
*A Baltimore born musician moved to San Francisco in 1972 and ultimately formed a band that released nine albums between 1978 and 1986. They did not have a hit until album #6 and perhaps their most popular song came on album # 8. After that success, the musician would go on to write several novels and became the morning DJ at K-Fox in San Jose, California. Name the artist... *This British band formed in 1962 and while they did not have a crazy amount of hits, they were certainly one of the most influential and original bands of the '60's and a rather easy pick for the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame which they entered in 1992. Their first notable hit in 1965 caused a personnel change as an important member quit, thinking the band was becoming 'too commercial'. Name the band and extra credit for the name of their first hit... *This artist's father started a life of music as a director of high school bands in Illinois, first one in Peoria. The artist we'll enjoy this evening was their youngest of 3 children born in 1951. By that time, his father was the band director at Bradley University. They played concerts and performed at basketball and football games and the father would allow his 4 year old son to stand in front of him and also conduct the band. The personal song we'll play, released in 1981 is a tribute to his father. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song... BATTLE OF THE BANDS For Your Love by Yardbirds vs I’ll Feel A Whole Loy Better by Byrds ANSWERS 1. Deacon Blues, Steely Dan 2. Greg Kihn 3. Yardbirds, For Your Love 4. Dan Fogelberg, Leader of the Band Battle of the Bands : Yardbirds won with 52% of votes *In 1978, this Canadian band just might have been the picture under the definition of the word underrated. It certainly would include the album cover and the album itself in that category. Unorthodox and infectious melodies, hard hitting bass, phenomenal production and fantastic lyrical content were totally present as the album was considered far ahead of its time. Name the band (artist) and extra credit for the album...
*If one was to credit Linda Ronstadt as being the first artist to record this track in 1977...well...they'd be wrong. The actual writer of the song wrote, recorded and released it the year before in 1976. The track itself is also reputed to be a friendly swipe at Jackson Browne and his songwriting that could be deemed quite depressing every now and then. Name the artist and the song... *The decade of the 60's found many an artist and bands on the West Coast dabbling in drugs. The lead artist of this band (one such drug user) wrote a famous track based on the lyrics of an 1865 children's book. Name the artist, the band and extra credit for the name of the song... *This band released their first album in 1972 and it became an unexpected hit. Their response resulted in an album the next year that showed them acting more like a rock and roll band with louder guitars and pronounced backbeat on many of the tracks. The album also heralded the arrival of the group's full-time lead vocalist, a position that would never be relinquished. Name the band... BATTLE OF THE BANDS Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon vs School’s Out by Alice Cooper ANSWERS 1. Gino Vannelli 2. Warren Zevon, Poor Poor Pitiful Me 3. Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane, White Rabbit 4. Steely Dan Battle of the Bands : Alice Cooper won with 53% of votes Back after a 45 Year Vacation!
By Jimmy Latham Jlatham1956@gmail.com Growing up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, my first experience with radio was when my high school assistant principal bought an Army surplus AM transmitter and let students pretend to be top 40 DJ’s during their study hall (free period). Our booming signal reached the lunch room, smoking court, and right to the edge of the parking lot! Later at Auburn University, I worked the midday shift at the campus station, WEGL-FM, plus weekends on some of the area’s commercial stations. After about 6 months, the current music director, graduated and the staff elected me Music Director for the station. Before that, my musical interest had been primarily southern rock, but that changed quickly as I had to program the music for all the shows. Because our station had such diverse programing, that included rock, blues, jazz, big band, and classical, I discovered a whole new world of music, way beyond the hits of the day. My fascination with all music has never stopped. My time at the campus station also included interviewing, on the air, the various rock groups that played at Auburn, and announcing those groups at the concerts. Radio and music have always been a fun diversion to my career in commercial design/build construction. After a lifelong career in the construction industry, Beth and I began to search for the right place to retire. Big Canoe checked all the boxes! We built a new home in the Bluffs and moved here in June 2022. Big Canoe is truly amazing and we are all lucky to live in such a beautiful place. My show, the Big Canoe Lounge has the theme of the listener taking a comfortable seat in the cool, dimly lit back corner of a jazz lounge, having their favorite beverage, and relaxing with the music. We explore the world of smooth jazz, with a little funk and soul mixed in for good measure. My weekly segments include; a “Twist of Motown”, a new reimagined jazzy version of a classic Motown tune, the “Roots of Jazz”, a look back at historical jazz tunes from many years ago, and “CoverPlay”, two very different versions of the same song. I am also fortunate to have many of the current smooth jazz artists on the show, with interviews and insight into their music. I am more than excited to be back on the air after a 45-year vacation! Our station founders, Craig Looney and Dinnis Keefe have brought back the original magic of radio. Inside the Gates Radio recreates the time when the listener had a direct connection to the station. All of our hosts create themed shows that make you think about and enjoy the music, not just a rotation of 40 songs over and over. Just text one of us and you will find us responsive to you, the listener. Big Canoe has tons of unique and special resources. Community Radio built by residents, and serving our residents, is one of our treasures. Check us out at: insidethegatesradio.com. Jimmy Latham Live Show: “The Big Canoe Lounge” Tuesday Nights at 6:00 P.M. (EST) Text during Live Show 205-799-3348 Jlatham1956@gmail.com |
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