Russman's blog
Kickstart MY Heart!
So I was hanging out with Nikki Sixx the other night.
Finally, I get to use that line! After 15 years in the radio biz, the last 6 in Calgary, I got to meet one of the guys responsible for making music my life. "Shout At The Devil" was the second record I bought when I was 12 (Van Halen, "1984" the first). Still have the same record and got Mick Mars' autograph on it when I interviewed him in his dressing room before Crue Fest a few years ago. Now I have a Nikki Sixx signature on there after hanging out on his bus before the show last week.
He's promoting a new venture of his, radio! While on tour, he wanted to take the opportunity to meet radio programmers across the country. Being Music Director, I'm one of those guys. So, my boss and I got to bring a friend to meet Nikki. There were 5 of us and we just hung out and chatted. It was a lot more casual than the usual meet and greet scenario. There were only 5 of us and Nikki was schmoozing us!
Who's playing halftime?
If you haven't heard, The Otherside and their song, "Going Blind" were the regional winners of the National Songwriting Competition. Catchy tune, good bunch of guys and they're off to Toronto to represent Calgary for Canadian Music Week in March. You can check them out online here, http://www.myspace.com/TheOthersideOnline
And you can vote for them for the grand prize here, www.radiostar.ca
What's with the Who for halftime at the Superbowl? Who's picking the bands for this thing, Jay Leno? Let's pick the safest, most recognizable band that is still mostly alive. Remember, half of the Who have left us. Roger and Pete can still pack a punch but really.....is there not someone a little more current they could have picked. For halftime of a football game too!! I can understand why they wouldn't pick Def Leppard, the NHL learned the hard way with them. U2, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, they've all done it.
Three Days Grace...smokin' interview!
I got to hang out with some contest winners for the Three Days Grace soundcheck party yesterday. Or more fitting, I got to wait around with some contest winners. As is per usual in this business, your always waiting for the band. I think we ended up spending an hour and a half waiting in the lobby before finally going in. Although it's a long hour and a half when you're standing in that corrider, it wasn't really that long in retrospect. There's been times that I've waited upwards of 3 hours to do an interview, only to be told they wouldn't get there till after I had to leave.
That would make a great song....too
Now, I'm taking part in another songwriting seminar coming up in a couple of weeks. This one looks like this...
On Saturday, December 5 at the Cantos Music Foundation in Calgary, the Songwriters Association of Canada will host SONGPOSIUM, a one-day intensive seminar for songwriters. Acclaimed songwriter DAN HILL, as well as music industry veterans JANIS NIXON, Director of Marketing, Digital, Universal Music Canada, RUSSMAN, CJAY 92's Music Director, and Calgary singer-songwriter TIM HUS will be on-hand to impart invaluable wisdom and advice about the business of songwriting.
You wanted the best?
So I've been getting ready for the big Kiss concert next week the only way I know how, listening to lots of Kiss records.
Like a lot of people who grew up in the late 70's/80's, I was introduced to Kiss by older brothers. I had posters of them on my wall and didn't even know they were a rock band when I was 6 or 7 years old. Eventually I discovered the music when I started down my rock and roll journey years later. But I vividly remember my brother getting a phone call from his friend and then saying, "Kiss is on TV and they're using magic!!" It was 1978 and the movie was, "Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park".
Shady Grady!
Last weekend, I went to see Grady down at the Hi-Fi. That's Gordie Johnon's new band, I've seen them a few times now and always a great show. He's an amazing guitar player and just a treat to watch.
The new CD is called, "Good As Dead". You should get it.
My new favourite song!
We just added their single, "Crawl Back In" to our playlist and I love the tune! Their CD, "Out Of Ashes" came out this week and I had a chance to listen to the whole thing. Unfortunately, there wasn't much else on the disc that really caught my attention. But, "Crawl Back In" kicks ass!
That'd make a great song!
Had a great time at the songwriting seminar last weekend. It was at the Hotel Arts, which is a very cool place to have a seminar. Been at a couple there now and nothing beats a poolside bevie when your done. Although parking proved to be a challenge and did you know they have photo-parking tickets now? I found out the hard way.
If you don't know, it's a seminar put on by the folks who run Radio Star, the National Songwriting Competition. The seminar is in its second year and was started to give budding songwriters a better insight into the craft of writing a song. A sort of heads up before the Radio Star competition which starts taking entries October 5th.It was really cool to hear Ralph Murphy do his presentation. He's been writing and performing since the 60's and one of the smartest song guys I've ever met. I've never heard someone put into words what it takes to write a song so simply. If you missed him and are at all curious, check out his web page http://murphyslawsofsongwriting.com
All Summer Long
Been awhile for the blog, busy, busy, busy. Actually, can't tell a lie....I've been ducking out of work early to soak up what summer we've been getting. Which also means, most of my recreational time has been spent on the back deck, cold one in hand and the stereo playing records. A few things I've learned during this summer of spinning....
R&B and old Funk are great for the hot afternoons. Sly & The Family Stone, Parliament, old (pre 1975) Stevie Wonder and Macy Gray's first record in particular.
Beach Boys are also great for sunny days, but only the 60's stuff. If you own "Kokomo", fine yourself and then go get some old stuff.
We were……Thunderstruck!!
Finally saw AC/DC! I went to the big show in Edmonton at Commonwealth. I haven't been to a show that big since The Stones in Vancouver in 1989. Wasn't sure what to expect, didn't know how many tickets were sold, but that place was packed!
I've seen plenty of AC/DC live vids to know what to expect and they did not dissappoint. The bell, the cannons,the Angus striptease (he was wearing AC/DC underwear), the killer guitar solo/interlude and the greatest stadium rock and roll songs you're ever gonna hear!
And then the rain, unbelievable! If you weren't there, it was truly unreal. It started raining during "Thunderstruck" and was just light to begin with. Then when they kicked into "Hells Bells" and he sang the "Rolling thunder, pouring rain..." part at the beginning, it did! We're talking, hollywood rain. A monsoon type downpour that did not let up for about a half an hour. And lighting kept flashing across the sky behind the stage. I've been to few outdoor shows, but only time I've been caught in rain like that, my friends were running sound and lights. I got to hang out in the sheltered sound booth. But not this time. Had great seats, 18th row on the floor, so there was nowhere to go. It was a little uncomfortable, nobody is used to staying outside in a raging downpour. But, if AC/DC ain't going nowhere, we ain't going nowhere.
