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Well...hello again everyone..no excuses,I just haven't been motivated really to update this site. I don't know why....But I'm back on the case now. I see-with horror--that the last time I wrote anything it was snowing ! -and Georgette jones was due to visit me in the studio. She didn't turn up,nor was there a call from the band member who arranged her visit--not even a phone call. It seemds that some corny story about unfilled -out work permits was put out as an excuse, but the real reason I find,was that an agent had stepped in at the last minute and miss Jones played a very lucrative tour in Ireland instead,leaving everyone else in dear old England to sit and twiddle thumbs. I wish Miss Jones every success in her profitable ventures...but please,don't call me to interview,watch,or even acknowledge her future possible visits to the midlands eh ?
Ah well...on another tack,I have been wondering about country music in general..and worrying. Alan Jackson wrote about "murder on music row"..the words are horribly prophetic...All I see,for the best part of my visits to country shows,are single artists working to backing tracks (o k in a pub,or small bar) but at large clubs ? Perhaps there is a male/female duo that LOOK promising....and you realise that (say) the lady is purporting to play keyboards(in reality another backing track) and the male posturing along with multi tracked backing voices,often without having his guitar plugged in (I once -recently sat through the first half of a set with the guy playing excellent lead breaks not realising that at some point he had stood on his lead and was plainly cheating ...the lead was 3 feet away fer crissakes ! ) And then pay 35 pounds($50) to go to a BIG country festival.travel miles..--..to see 70's bands headlining.! ! ,They are polished,yes...but ANYTHING to do with country ?....NO ! Now ,don't get me wrong, I like lots of different kinds of music...but if i go to see Status Quo, then I really don't want to listen to "waltz across Texas" or "Settin the woods on fire"by them. Ergo,if I go to a country music festival,i don't want a re-run of recycled 60's and 70's pop bands on (even if there ARE more than one original members in the band)...."Old Hank wouldn't stand a chance on today's radio" is immortal to me,thank you Mr Jackson.
And there ,I think, is the reason for my lacksadasicle approach of late to this blog..journal..whatever you want to call it....so now I will stop moaning. Because,despite all the downside...the still are some decent hard working bands out there...working for relative peanuts..downsized perhaps from 6 to 4 members, on the road,struggling to keep live, genuine country music going. I wish them well...and there is an open invitation to call me,or visit the radio station and tell everyone about upcoming dates,record releases...etc. the number to call is 0121(if you are outside Birmingham) 374 2891.....or e mail me..on this site or at "bigcity radio . org.uk" tell me about your experiences,dates,gigs..how you see country music going etc...as you must already know,the radio broadcast is on Wednesday evenings from 7 pm till 9 pm...type it into your p c and listen in....call me...write to me..just get the meaning and quality of the music across.
To my friends across the Atlantic in the U S A who get in touch...thank you for your messages and words of support...in fact thank you to EVERYONE who takes the time and trouble to write...it means a lot to me. Now I promise not to fill this journal up with repeated complaining articles.I WILL try to keep it positive..but please ........give me something positive to write about...Tell me of your festivals...your gatherings...your thoughts on "our " music. the big record companies can't have it all there own way ..and only by keeping it live and developing can WE keep it alive and kicking.
keep safe and well everyone
Tony |
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Hello again everyone,just to update you on what's happening tonight on the show..(Big City radio 89.1fm 7-9 pm Wednesday evenings).. WELL......following a conversation I had with the organiser, it was arranged that the guitarist and a female backing singer from Georgettes band were to appear on last weeks show,but--understandably--due to the snow and awful conditions of the roads in Brum,they called to say they couldn't attend. O K ..fair enough. BUT....I haven't heard a word since...so now i'm not sure that the eagerly awaited Georgette Jones will even attend tonight. That would be a shame,as for the last few weeks i have been promising my listeners that the lady would appear,exciting great interest, as has been said to me on my visits to the various country music clubs in and around Brum.
Let's see eh ? ..........I,for one, would be saddened to have been misled by promises never kept.
Anyway..on a personal front,things are going pretty well, I have some interest in the newest songs I have written and I hope to get them down on disc pretty soon for perusal by the good and great,let's see where that goes eh ?..I have been toying with the idea of creating a little spot on the show whereby if I have a germ of inspiration for a song,then I would bring my guitar into the studio,play the (believe me) roughest of "cuts" to air the song,then,as I develop the song in my spare time,bring it into the studio each week to show HOW a song gets written,refined,and adding bits each week--like the drum track,backing vocals, middle 8 etc (or bridge)...what do you think ? would that be of interest to anyone ?It would be nice to get feedback on that.
My bro Phil came along a few months ago,out of curiosity to see how a radio station works...and has been with me ever since !........... He is a GOLDMINE of facts and figures,researching all the artists ,sorting out new and up-and -coming artists, new material,and mooches around in the attic for forgotten gems of country music for me to play,and the listeneres to enjoy. How he finds the time and energy baffles me..
But I can only say a heartfelt "thanks Phil" for the effort you put in to making this show a unique experience in country radio.......And i qualify that by asking where else would you get to hear such a variety of artists like Slaid Cleeves,Ferlin Husky,the Stanley Brothers.a war chant from the Mescalero Apache tribe,---and Jim Reeves in 15 minutes of airtime ?.....'nuff said eh ?
Well folks,I will see what tonight brings re Georgette Jones (or not)...keep it country,keep safe,and if you feel like dropping me a line ,you can do that via my website "www tonyrigby.co.uk".....or call me at the radio station on 0121 37 42 891, or e mail me at the staion "bigcityradio.org.uk"
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At last I have been able to get back into the site after a LOT of problems. Still,I'm not going to dwell on that...the REAL news is that "aston fm" has changed to "BIG CITY RADIO"STILL ON 89.1 FM..you can call me at the station if you like,the telephone number is 0121-37-42-891...better yet, you can switch your computer on,go to "bigcityradio.org.uk" press the "listen here" bit--and presto,you can tune in anywhere in the world !. as well as send messages. It has been a shame that we were off line for the last few weeks,but teething problems do occur in any new set up......AND.. Johnny Cash's band "The Tennessee Three" are appearing in Birmingham soon,and I have a very good chance of interviewing at least one member before they perform....am i looking forward to that !..as it happens,--it's the 14/10/09 now folks,I have some tickets to see this legendary band on the 21st October ,which I will be giving away to anyone who calls me at the studio between 7pm-- 9pm and can tell me what Johnny Cash's backing band is called !...Truly ! I will keep you all abreast of what is happening people. Keep your comments coming,and enjoy the show ...remember it's pure country music I play folks,keep safe
.Tony Rigby
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