CD101 @ 102.5

Image via WikipediaOh, CD101, I don't know what to say to you.

You have had a great influence on my life, perhaps more than any other source of media other than Ranger Rick. I have been a loyal listener for nigh on 20 years now, and I will remain loyal until the day one of us dies.

That being said, as a fan, as a member of the extended family of CD101 listeners (and we are all a family, brought even closer together with the tragic loss of our adopted father, Andyman), as someone who loves you as much as anyone can, I have a suggestion for you.

This suggestion is from my heart, and not to be taken as anything but meaningful and hopeful advice. Something to think about, experiment with, learn from, or ignore.

I will not suggest that you stop playing certain overplayed and awful bands or music; like U2 or Red Hot Chili Peppers or ska, for example. I will not tell you that if you do not follow my suggestion you will fail and suck and I will hate you - I could never hate you, and I will always desire the best for you. No, CD101, you are too good to be yelled at or chastised; you do so much good for the city and surrounding communities already.

As the "Alternative Station" you have such an opening to play new and less known music; more than any other station in the region. You already do this very well, but here is a suggestion to consider.

A bi-weekly Hip Hop/alternative rap show. It would focus on lesser known, underground, indie-label, and local acts. You already play Outkast, Beastie Boys, Flobots, and others so it isn't that far out from what you are already doing. The Independent Playground and Local Stuff are wonderful and definitely should stay, but this would supplement them and allow them to concentrate on underground and local rock music.

Alternative rap is a rapidly growing trend just as alternative rock was 20 years ago. With musical styles merging as much as they do now, with rap, rock and even country are mixing together, it makes sense to be at the forefront of this wave.

No other Columbus radio station has this market. Power 107.5? Nope, they play only the most popular hits by the most popular (and talentless) "artists."

You have a golden opportunity, CD101 @ 102.5

Just something to think about.

Related articles

• 'Andyman' remembered for support of music, charity (dispatch.com)
• CD101's "Andyman" Davis Passed Away (rightcelebrity.com)

St. James Tavern

St. James Tavern is an inconspicuous little bar on 4th Street and Detroit Avenue in Italian Village. I first came here when I was 21 or 22, but didn't really return until I was 24 or 25 (my polish brother, the legendary Brett (from foid, Hotel War, and Vietnam II: oOo! Shameless name-drop!), lived on  Detroit so we would walk to the bar frequently). There are two pool tables, chairs and tables all around, and a long bar with stools. They don't serve food, they don't have shitty cover bands, and (most importantly) they don't have a TV.

What they do have is great beer, great prices, atmosphere (something that is seriously lacking in most every other establishment in Columbus), and the best jukebox in the city.

However, all of that has been said by other people already. What is new? What hasn't been said about St. James Tavern yet?

• They specialize in imports and microbrews; especially the rarer high alcohol content ales. The Bourbon Barrel Stout is ridiculous.
• My friends and I got a nice special price on Beck's Dark because they were trying to get rid of them. Fine by me; I give those Hessian bastards a new home in my tummy!
• Three kegs of Affligem Noel are available in the city; St. James has two of them.
• The clientele is predominantly college hipsters; although a faithful older crowd of former college hipsters fills in the gaps on off-days.
• The place is dark. The lighting is kept to a minimum, but not to the point where you get squinty trying to strain your eyes. The music is loud, but not overbearingly loud. It creates a very intimate atmosphere even when the place is jammed with people.
• Wood covers EVERYTHING.
• There is graffiti in the men's room that says something along the lines of, "This isn't a ladies room; keep the seat up." 
• Speaking of the Men's room; it was stocked with soap and paper towels! 
• I know nothing of the Women's restroom except from the few, instinctive and unintentional peeks I got while playing pool at various visits. Dude's can't help that reaction. It's not that we're being pervy, it's just that the Women's room is like the last frontier for men; an unexplored mystery where women (who we are most interested in but can't seem to understand) seem to congregate (and, we think, to talk about us).
• Simpson's Pinball. That should be self-explanatory.

It seems as if it has been Winter, late Fall, or early Spring every time I've been there. I associate the place with visible breath, scarves, and floppy knit hats.

You can find St. James Tavern online on Facebook, Twitter, and their own website. Facebook and Twitter are updated frequently, so those are your best bet to find out what's on tap on any given day.

Artists Community

A week or so ago, my friend Michelle and I were sitting on her front stoop and talking about all of our musical and artistic friends.

We came to the the conclusion that even though almost everyone we know is artistically inclined, most of them do not have the motivation to do anything with that ability.

So we decided to attempt to change that.

Michelle is an artist, musician, and songwriter.

I am a rather mediocre wordsmith.

but together we are attempting to create a community where artists of all types can come together and compete with one another.

yes, i said compete.

see, having talent without focus is wasted talent. by having a group of people who challenge each other to come up with new ideas, improve old ideas, honestly critique others' work, and push each other to reach their full potential, we can help each other grow and expand!

currently, Michelle and I are looking at a monthly gathering.

Monthly gatherings are good to start out with, because it gives everyone time to prepare themselves.

you see, each month, anyone who attends must present something they have worked on. It could be a finished work, or a work in progress. It could be a song, a poem, a story, a painting, a sculpture, a quilt, a tapestry, a video, a game... anything.

Anything you are passionate about, anything that you create, is fair game!


so, if you are interested in joining this venture, feel free to contact me for more information. currently, the musicians are the majority, but i hope to change that and make a more even spread of artistic jelly. mmmmm jelly...

we are also working on a name for the group. any ideas for that are welcome too.