HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!

FOUR YEARS? Simply amazing!

What started as an idea on a long car ride has lasted. RJ (aka The Techie Gnome) was merely curious to see if he could really put a radio station on the internet. I wanted to play the songs of The Magnificent Men, Class Act featuring Rita, Class of 60 Somethin' and a few others for the world to enjoy. Somehow, we got to this.

I remember how cool it was to have 12 hours, then 24 hours of converted mp3 files. "Bubba, we can do an entire day with no repeats!". Along the way FNST Radio has grown that play list to over 2,000 songs. We haven't done it alone, however. You, our listeners and friends, have made suggestions, turned us onto new talent and reminded us of artists we'd long forgotten. This truly has been a group effort.

There are two people who deserve special mention: Ginger Oldham and Dave Bupp. Both have spread the word about FNST to people all over the world. How many of you reading this or listening to the station would have known about it if it wasn't for Ginger's promotional effort? Dave has told me stories about the artists, shared his memories and pointed me toward books that have become indispensable in finding songs as well as keeping facts straight. Both these wonderful people have, also, opened their personal record collections so that we can share them with you. For all of this and most importantly for being great friends, I thank them.

Today's show is special. There are few "hits" in the traditional sense. What it does have is lots of songs by friends and people I admire. I hope you enjoy it.

To our worldwide listeners, thank you for being part of this undertaking. I can't tell you how neat it is to check the listener logs and see isp's from Australia, India, Europe, South America and Africa as well as the US and Canada. Soul Music really is a universal language.

Y'all keep listening and I promise to keep doing this as long as possible.

"Until next week. Take care of yourselves and each other."

October 25, 2010

Let me tell you about this week's show. It's a groove!

First of all there's a tune by Class Act we don't play often.
It has the late Rick Shouck on lead and I love the tune.
There are a few birthday guests and some neat requested tunes.

Oh, there's also a great tune by Cracked Ice. That's Crispin Cioe's group and he has Brent Carter from Tower Of Power singing lead on this thing. This is dynamite! My thanks to Butch Halpin for suggesting I listen to the group. Now, if only he would have loaned me his credit card to buy the thang. LOL

Since it's Otis Williams' birthday, this week, there are also three Temptation songs. Probably not the ones most people expect us play but they are three of my favorites.

Next week is FNST Radio's Birthday Party. It's mostly done and I'm diggin' it. Some of the first music we put on the air including the very first song selected for the playlist. Can you guess what the tune is?

Have a great week and thank you for reading the blog but more importantly for listening to the music.

DIRECT TV or BUYER BEWARE

The following tale is actually a Public Service Announcement for our listeners. It's a true story and there's a price to pay for being "fat dumb and happy" so to speak.

Last football season Direct TV called and offered me NFL Sunday Ticket at basically a freebie price. I figured I'd try it and as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan in a Buffalo Bills market it was enjoyable, the few times I managed to get it to work. End of season came, I forgot about it and had no intention of re-upping. Quite frankly, I don't get that excited/dedicated toward any team.

Imagine my shock and dismay when I opened a Direct TV bill, this season, and found out I'd been automatically renewed for the amount of $319.95! Talk about a jolt.

So, first of all, I tried calling Direct TV. Their automatic voicemail hell was working perfectly. No chance of talking to a human being. Option two was employed: Email expressing my displeasure at this slightly unethical business practice. Surprise, surprise I received an answer which informed me that there was no cancellation or refund because the season had already started.
Cute, huh?

This morning I actually talked to a human being and I will admit to not being polite. I'm pissed at being stuck with this package I have no intention of watching, ever! If I'd paid closer attention to the bill I could have opted out before the season started but how many of you ever look at anything except what the amount due is? (thus the sneaky, dare I say "underhanded" billing approach of Direct TV)

So, the moral of the story is: READ YOUR BILL and don't trust your provider.

October 18, 2010

This week we have some new music from Steve Mancha, Ruby Andrews, Free Movement
and a British group named "Mint Julep". Thank you Ginger and welcome back from your "enforced sabbatical".

There's some great Beach Music as well as cookin' tunes from Central Pennsylvania.

This coming Saturday, October 23, the York Fairgrounds will be rockin' with Class of 60 Somethin's fall party. If you want to make a road trip, I promise you a great night of dancing and music.

There are lots of birthday artists on the show and I have two friend birthdays to mention for
Monday, October 18th.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ORTHEIA BARNES - KENNERLY.

Today is also the late Tom Hoover's birthday. Tommy was the first keyboard player for The Magnificent Men but more importantly to me, my friend from the time we were 12 years old.

Enjoy the music, have a great week and don't forget the birthday party on November 1st.

General Johnson

May 23, 1943 - October 13, 2010

Singer - Songwriter and one of Beach Music's greats!

From the early 60's right up to 2010 his voice was instantly recognizable. Such great tunes.

39-21-46, It Will Stand, Give Me Just A Little More Time and my favorite, Carlina Girls.

Did you know he wrote "Patches", "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show", and the Honey Cone recorded "Want Ads"?

As long as there's Soul and Beach Music playing General Johnson will be remembered.

Thank you for the music and memories.

Solomon Burke Dies at 70

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ggBRs0yCDA6we0BO341Jh1EFRw-wD9IONPA80?docId=D9IONPA80

October 11, 2010

Not much to say about this week's show. I'm just a bit busy trying to gather my thoughts and music for the BIRTHDAY PARTY on NOVEMBER 1.

Seems so hard to believe it's our 4th one.

If you'd like to be on the show send me a note and we'll figure a way to get your voice on-air.
Think of it as self defense. The more of you who send in greetings, the less I get to talk and that's always a good thing.

Enjoy the music and have a great week! As always, thank you for listening and commenting.

Carolina Beach Music Awards Nominees

Hey, FSNT Radio is primarily a "soul" station but if it's good music we're gonna play it. We play Beach Music and count many of the performers as friends, albeit via internet functions.

The nominees are: (drum roll)
Well, the ones FNST Radio features, anyway.

Female Vocalist:
Molly Askins of Sea Cruz
Rhonda McDaniel

Male Vocalist:
Craig Woolard
Bo Schronce of The Fantastic Shakers

New Artist:
Taylor Manning

Song Of The Year:
Impossible – Craig Woolard Band
Dance To The Radio – Band Of Oz

Group Album Of The Year:
Main Street People – Craig Woolard Band
Dance To The Radio – Band Of Oz

Group Of The Year:
Band Of Oz
Craig Woolard Band
Fantastic Shakers
Jim Quick & Coastline
Sea Cruz

Entertainer Of The Year:
Craig Woolard
Jim Quick

Smoothie Of The Year:
Left With A Broken Heart – Rhonda McDaniel

Collaboration or Duo:
Impossible – Craig Woolard and Steve Cropper
You Bug Me Baby – Rhonda McDaniel and Mike Taylor

Instrumentalist:
Dino Fair of Sea Cruz

October 4, 2010

Let me see, there quite a bit going on in this week’s show.

I have Beach Music with Rhonda McDaniel & Mike Taylor.
The Sand Band checks in with their hit “Missing You”
Angel Rissoff has a new CD on the way and I have his cover of Darrell Banks’ big hit.

There’s some left coast soul with Ty Karim.
Jo Armstead checks in, along with Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.

I have our weekly “requested artists” and a bunch of other great tunes. All in all, I think you’ll enjoy the mix.

Oh, and a very special listener birthday for a lady in England.
Someone I’ve spent many hours chatting with.
(She even laughs at some of my jokes)

Happy Birthday, Crys!

Thank you for listening and being a friend.

Enjoy the show, everybody and keep on listening.
(someday, I’ll get it right)