May 21, 2012

I have to tell you these past two weeks have been a bit of a struggle. Losing Duck Dunn, last week, was tough. For most of us around music in the mid 60's Duck and Steve Cropper were almost legendary. Each new record, from Stax, was eagerly anticipated not just for the artists but for what Steve and Duck had cooked up.

This week came word that Donna Summer had passed. Labelled the "Disco Queen" limited what Donna really was. She had a voice that could sing anything. She won five grammy's and probably deserved to win more. We'll pat tribute to her on this program.

Many of us, me included, have protested "Disco". In truth there was a great deal of "Disco" that was damn good music. Don't believe me? Talk to "the Professor" sometime. He'll make you a believer.

Next week we have birthday guests who mean a great deal to me. Kind of the music of my life. Until then, taske care of yourselves and each other. 

May 14, 2012

I have to admit I've been remiss in updating this blog. There's a reason for this but I can't remember what it is.
This weeks' show is a mash-up of some great music. We have Chicago Soul, Central PA Soul and a couple of cuts from Memphis.

We will mourn the loss of Donald "Duck" Dunn. While everyone, me included, will rave about James Jamerson of Motown, Duck made his own impression. Neat and clean, are the two words that come to mind.
Thank you for the music, Duck.  

April 30, 2012

It's the last show in April and RJ has "the conn" so to speak. I have a sort of an idea what he's putting together but really no clue. (my finners are crossed)

While I was trying to figure all this out, something occurred to me and you may not have thought of . R&B and soul music has it roots in some great singers and groups. This week let's showcase two of them. Up first, The Mills Brothers with what was supposed to be a "B" side and was recorded in just 15 minutes. Shown here with a great singer you may have heard of Dean Martin.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4ml0HMkOo0&feature=related

The next one is the Ink Spots. In early 1967 The Magnificent Men appeared at the Pennsylvania Auto Show. Also appearing were The Ink Spots and I was enthralled. Jim Seville, our bass player, stood alongside me as I watched and said,
"Chuck, you really like this."
"I do, I was raised on this" was my reply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLE3f0kWjoM&feature=related


It simply is the best.

April 16, 2012

Better a little late than never. Welcome to FNST Radio!
Not a whole lot different for the show. There's some great music, I didn't do the jokes so your collective IQ will not be permanently damaged.

There actually are two non soul tunes in the show. Some fantastic classic rock from Sanford Townsend Band and a group called "The Fabulous Rhinestones". I could always "hear" Dave Bupp doing lead on "Smoke Of A Distant Fire".
Also there's an Arthur Prysock and "Mr. B" tune as well as The Ink Spots. Guess you could say we're trying to offer a little more than soul this week.

I hope you get to join us.

April 9, 2012

Wow, busy week. There's some great R&B 101, a sort of tribute to Overbrook High School in Philly. You can't believe the amount of talent that came from one high school. Oh, did I mention there's also great music on the program?

I'm not sure my voice is coming back, the radiation burning doesn't appear to be clearing up (at least to my ears) but we'll keep going.

Anyway, great birthday guest artists, some neat 411 and a real quick two hours. Thank you for spendig part of your day with FNST Radio.

April 5, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID S. BUPP

Thank you for the music and all the years of friendship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEXTBn6o954

April 2, 2012

How about this, a new show two weeks in a row. This happens to be one of my favorite times of the year, especially this week.

For those who don't know, this week has birthdays for two of my favorite people. Dave Bupp of The Magnificent Men and Rita Angelucci of Class Act featuring Rita. I've had the chance to listen to the best R&B singers in the world but let me tell you, they do not come any better than my two friends.

It's also Marvin Gaye's birthday, April 2nd so there's a bit of the soulful one as well.

Miss Ginger is back with us this week and that's a heck of a help,

Anyway, enjoy the music.

March 26, 2012

Wow, it has been a while. Anyway, we finally have a new show.
As many of our readers are aware I have had some health issues and things haven't been good.
However, we're back this week and hopefully to stay for a long time.

The show is a little dis-jointed (to me anyway) and it is just yours truly. Next week I hope to be able to bring my lovely co-host back. My re-learning curve for all the programs is taking a little bit.

I hope y'all enjoy the music.

January 30 2012

The end of a month and the beginning of "the cruelest" one. I, for one, am glad February is short. It's the toughest one for me to get through from a weather standpoint.

We have some great birthday artists on this week's show. Ruth Brown, Joe Sample, Dennis Edwards, Al MacKay of Earth Wind & Fire and Buddy King of The Magnificent Men top my list of favorites. There are also a few requested artists and a very special birthday request for a lady in Holland. Marjo's mother celebrates her 80th and she really likes Louis Armstrong soooooo. :-)

I also get to rid myself of an "earworm". I've had Barbara Lewis and "Make Me Your Baby" stuck in my head for 4 days. Now, it's your turn.

Did you happen to catch President Obama singing at The Apollo? Not too bad but I doubt he'll quit his day job. The neat thing is; it managed to sell a bunch of "Let's Stay Together" for Al Green. Now, in case you don't have it in your collection, you can catch it on today's show.

I hope y'all enjoy the music. Have a great week.

January 23, 2012

It isn't often we lose three tremendous talents in the same week. This past week has been almost a blur.

First came the passing of Jimmy Castor. From his days of writing and singing with "The Teenagers" and playing sax behind Prez Prado to the great novelty song "Hey Leroy" and then his own groups and solo work, JImmy had a storied career.

Next came word of Johnny Otis checking out. Mr. Everything in the music business. Band leader, arranger, producer, songwriter, disc jockey and the list goes on. Mr. Otis discovered so many great talents and truly was one of the founders of R&B.

Finally, on Friday, Etta James lost her long battle. Long before Aretha, Etta was the queen. She could sing anything and like all great "SINGERS" make the song her own.  From her first recordings, "Wallflower" (produced by Johnny Otis) through the best arrangement of
"At Last", to "Tell Mama" and so many more, Etta's soul always shown through.

The show plays a sevearl tunes by these three artists, with good reason. There are also birthday guests and a couple of pre-doo wop tunes that mean a great deal to me, personally. It may not be the greatest show for flow but the music is as good as it gets.

Thank you, Jimmy Castor, Johnny Otis and Miss Etta. Your music will be heard as long as there are ears to listen.

January 16, 2012

It's a national holiday in The United States. Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
For too many people it simply means a day off work, school, etc. and that's wrong.

We've come so far from the "separate but equal". No longer do we see overt signs of racism. The signs proclaiming "whites only" or "colored" have disappeared from the landscape but there is still a long way to go.

There's some great music on the show. Talented birthday artists help a lot with that, LOL. Enjoy the music but take a minute to reflect on Dr. King's message.

Have a great week and thank you for spending time with FNST Radio.

January 9, 2012

Wow! It's the first weekend of January and today (Saturday, as I write this) it's in the mid 40's and we have no snow on the ground. The northcoast has had a very mild winter, so far. I know we'll pay the piper, soon enough, but each day without a plow run is one day closer to spring!

This week's show has some really neat R&B 101, birthday artists and lots of aged in soul music. It also has a little sadness. This week we learned Robert Dickey had passed. Robert was the original "Bobby" in James and Bobby Purify. With the hit songs "I'm Your Puppet" and "Shake A Tail Feather" Mr. DIckey will be remembered as long as soul music is played.

Now, let's say you're having the mid-winter doldrums. There's nothing good on TV for a Saturday night and no movie you want to go see. I have an idea for y'all. Hook the computer up in the big room of the house and start fnstradio.com playing. Call you friends who have nothing going on, tell them to come over. Get the munchies out, have the friends bring the liquid refreshment and at 8:00pm y'all can listen and dance to 2 hours of Ginger, me and some of the best soul music on the planet.  Now here's the best part: The show repeats at 11:00pm so some people will head for home, early, because they've heard it. Those that stay.......well you can boot them out at 1:00am when the show is over and still get a good nights sleep. See? I'm always thinking about the welfare of fnstradio's listeners :-D

Have a great week, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

January 2, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Okay, got that out of my system.

FNST has added listeners (always a good thing) this past year. Welcome to everybody.

As we begin a new year the mission hasn't changed. We keep trying to bring you the best in soul music. Not just the Top 40 Motown and Stax-Volt you hear on oldies stations but the tunes you would have listened to if  you were fortunate enough to have an R&B station within your listening area. From the e-mails and comments that are received, it looks like the goal is being accomplished.

This week's show has some really talented birthday guests, including the great Arthur Prysock, a little "beach music" and even some international flavor with Lisa Lois. There are horn groups, too. Best thing I can tell you is; give it a listen on Monday or the repeats on Wednesday and Saturday.

As we go forward, please help the station to grow by spreading the word. It's brought us this far. 

December 26, 2011 Retrospective

It’s that last show of the year. A time to look back.

We’ve had some good news. FNST has grown and new people have joined the Facebook page. It’s not the doldrums it used to be. We also added a bunch more music to the random playlists.

There was, also, the inevitable bad news; The losing of so many performers, songwriters and arrangers. The people who contributed so much to the music we love. This show, as in years past, pays tribute to those who have passed.

This week is Ginger’s first anniversary on FNST Radio and her birthday, too. This is just cool. It’s been a blast having Ginger as my co-host. She manages the birthday artist segments, tries to ride herd on my bad puns and manages to pull off whatever else I throw at her with grace and humor.

Happy Birthday, Ginger !!!!!!!!

As we look forward to 2012 my hope, for all of us, is peace and understanding. May it be a good year for the world.

Thank you for being part of FNST’s family.

T'WAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

T’was the week before Christmas and all ‘round the station the Program Director’s mind just kept racin’.
Each tune was reviewed, picked with some care, hoping to make it onto the air.
A script was written, re-written times ten, to be thrown away with “We’ll wing it, again!”
Miss Ginger had birthday artists under control as the Techie Gnome fought the pooter and said, “Let’s roll!”
With half his programs missing CT didn’t panic, though he was heard to remark, “This ain’t the F******’ Titanic.”
A show was delivered for listeners and friends but we hope it’s a long time ‘fore we do that again!

From RJ, Ginger and yours truly, Merry Christmas Everybody.
May your week and Christmas Day be safe and filled with love and peace.

December 12, 2011

This past week we said goodbye to Howard Tate, Dobie Gray and J. Blackfoot.
It hit kind of hard, here on the "northcoast". FNST has been playing their music since we first started, with good reason. It's the music we grew up listenting to on car radios, jukeboxes and those late nights when we were supposed to be sleeping but had the radio on. Remember, twisting the dial, trying to pull in those distant stations where they played a whole lot more than Top 40?

Anyway, this week's show has a J. Blackfoot tune and twin spins from Howard  Tate and Dobie Gray. There's also a couple of tunes featuring my favorite Temptation lead, Eddie Kendricks, a little Chicago soul, some Christmas music and a great closing song you'll just have to listen for.

The countdown is on for shopping. As you go about your day, smile, greet people and watch the reactions.
See you next week.

December 6, 2011 R.I.P. Howard Tate

I'm at a loss. Howard Tate was one of the most soulful voices, ever.
God bless you, Howard. Thank you for the music.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inthemix/135088798.html

December 5, 2011

Oh my goodness, this is some work! Happy first Monday of December everybody.

This weeks' show is mostly about rare and unreleased songs and the majority of them are from Motown vaults. But, there's also a lot of R&B101 to go along with it. No, it's not dry facts and figures it's a little real life stuff.

Ginger and I are joined by "the Professor", Dave Bupp, for an inside look at some of the talented singers and groups of the 60's and 70's. We're talking actual stories from the man who shared stages and dressing rooms with some of the best R&B acts. It's a show Dave and I have discussed doing for quite some time and I hope you enjoy it.

Dave and I talk frequently, exchange emails even more, and you're actually going to hear what conversations are like when it's about the music we love.

There's music by The Contours, The Four Tops, Little Stevie Wonder and a whole lot more.
If you love soul music you'll be diggin' on this show!

Now, I have to get back to work editing the conversation a bit. There's over an hour of phone call with some non music stuff y'all don't need to hear LOL.

November 28, 2011

Hey, we made it through Thanksgiving and "Black Friday". Staying away from the stores, malls etc. certainly helped. Watching the news makes you wonder what the hell has happened to manners and civility in this country. Anyway, on with the show.

This week there's come cool music, as always and Lou Rawls is one of the birthday artists. That's never a bad thing. We also hear from J.J. Barnes, Cassandra Wilson, Walter Jackson, The Four Tops and Jackie Wilson. I hope you enjoy the music because I sure enjoyed putting the thing together.

Now, it's on with the holiday season and shopping............*groan*

November 21, 2011

Welcome to Thanksgiving week if you're in the United States. A time to be grateful for what we have and the real beginning of the "commercial" Holiday Season. Christmas music is everywhere, well, except for FNST Radio. We're resisting for a few more days and then it'll be very limited.

This week has some jazz, a few standards and some good Soul Music (of course). There's also a bad joke I mananged to sneak by Ginger & the Techie Gnome :-D There's a little R&B 101 and good birthday artists as well.

Have a safe and fun week. Treasure your time with family and friends.