AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Michelle Willson

Artist:Michelle Willson

Song:Wake Up Call

Album:Wake Up Call

Michelle Willson is a blues singer known as Evil Gal. She calls her band The Evil Gal Orchestra. After recording four albums in the 90s, she quit the music business. She returned a few years ago and is touring again. She was born Jan. 5, 1958 in Boston. She began singing as a teen and then started touring with her own band The Evil Gal Orchestra. This led to a record deal with Rounder owned Bullseye Blues. She released her debut album Evil Gal Blues in 1994. She recorded four albums on Bullseye. Wake Up Call is from the 2001 album Wake Up Call. This was her final Bullseye album. Wake Up Call was written by David Egan and originally recorded by Jimmy Witherspoon. Scott Billington produced the album. Musicians are Scott Shetler on sax, Ken Clark on organ, Mike Mele on guitar and Zac Casher on drums. It's available as a digital download. Then she burned out on the constant touring and she seemed to quit the music business. She has returned. Her main job is hosting two shows on radio station WICN in Worcester, MA. She recorded the album Fortune Cookie in 2016. When she was unable to sell it to a record company, she released it herself. She recorded with Anthony Geraci and Duke Robillard. And she's touring again. Michelle was recently in Norway. If she continues on the comeback trail, Michelle could get a new record deal soon. Here's Michelle Willson performing Wake Up Call on The Extended Play Sessions 2016. This video is not on YouTube. 

'Wake Up Call' - Michelle Willson and The Evil Gal Orchestra - from The Extended Play Sessions from The Extended Play Sessions on Vimeo.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Timmy T

Artist:Timmy T

Song:One More Try

Album:The Hit Collection

Timmy Torres topped the charts with the 1991 single One More Try. It was his only big hit but a couple of his other songs charted so he is not a one hit wonder. Besides, he only recorded two albums. He was born Sept. 21, 1967 in Fresno, CA. At first he was a member of the rap group 2 Hard. But he decided to do Freestyle dance music instead. He bought a Moog synthesizer and a Roland TR-808 drum machine at a pawn shop and recorded his first single Time After Time in his garage. After Torres took it to a local radio station, they suggested he take it to Los Angeles for more exposure. It spread from there. Torres got a record deal with the Canadian label Quality Records. Time After Time reached #40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then Torres recorded an album with veteran producer John Ryan. One More Try topped the Billboard Hot 100. Torres wrote that and most of the songs on the album. Torres released a second album All for Love in 1992 but there were no hits. So when the album didn't do well, Torres quit the music business to raise his family. This budget comp is the Time After Time album retitled. Torres still performs on the Freestyle nostalgia circuit. But he has not recorded since 1992. I'm sure he still gets royalties from One More Try. Here's the video for One More Try by Timmy T. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Gillian Hills

Artist:Gillian Hills

Song:Tut, Tut, Tut, Tut

Album:Tres Chic: More French Girl Singers of the 1960s

Gillian Hills was one of several young women who had chart success in France in the 60s. The music was known as Ye Ye. The big difference with Gillian is she isn't French. She was born June 5, 1944 in Cairo, Egypt. Her father was British author Denis Hills. Gillian grew up in Nice, France. At age 14 she was discovered by French filmmaker Roger Vadim and he cast her in the 1959 film Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Of course Vadim directed Brigitte Bardot in And God Created Woman. So obviously he thought Gillian could be the new Brigitte Bardot. Gillian starred in the 1960 British exploitation film Beat Girl. This film was very controversial at the time. Then she recorded for Barclay Records from 1960-65. She was one of several popular Ye Ye singers from that era. The 1965 single Tut, Tut, Tut, Tut is a French version of Busy Signal by The Lollipops. Gillian moved to England and appeared in the 1966 film Blowup. She concentrated on acting for the next few years. After she appeared in the 1971 film A Clockwork Orange, Gillian moved to New York and became a magazine illustrator. After Gillian's song Zou Bisou Bisou appeared in the TV series Mad Men, Gillian got back into music and has recorded a couple of albums. Tut, Tut, Tut, Tut appeared in the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. You can get Tut. Tut, Tut, Tut on this Ace Records various artists comp. Here's a video for Tut, Tut, Tut, Tut by Gillian Hills.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

Artist:Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

Song:Blue Moon

Album:The Complete 3 Blind Mice

I am doing this as Song Of The Day mainly because I have a great live clip that Freddie Hubbard fans will enjoy. 3 Blind Mice was recorded live at Club Renaissance in Hollywood Mar. 18, 1962. This was basically an all new Jazz Messengers. Trumpeter Lee Morgan had left and was replaced by Freddie Hubbard. 3 Blind Mice was the final show for bassist Jymie Merritt as he was forced to retire due to illness. He was replaced by Reggie Workman. Pianist Cedar Walton was also new as he replaced Bobby Timmons. Wayne Shorter on tenor sax and Curtis Fuller on trombone were still there but eventually they would leave too. 3 Blind Mice was first released by United Artists in 1962. After Capitol EMI bought UA in 1980, they released 3 Blind Mice on Blue Note in 1990 as two separate CDs. Recently it was released as a 2CD set and that's the the one you want. As far as I can tell, this was the only time Blakey recorded the standard Blue Moon and it was arranged to feature Hubbard. The video was filmed in France in 1965. The entire concert is available on DVD. So here's Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers featuring Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Jaki Byard on piano and Reggie Workman on bass performing Blue Moon in France 1965. Byard was best known for his days with Charles Mingus. He never recorded with Blakey so maybe Walton was unavailable and he was just on this tour. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Monks

Artist:Monks

Song:Complication

Album:Black Monk Time

Monks was an obscure 60s band who became cult figures when Complication appeared on the Nuggets Psychedelic box set. Now their music has been reissued and they have done reunions. And they didn't amount to much in 1966. Monks was formed in 1964 by American GIs stationed in Gelnhausen, West Germany. So that alone makes them atypical of your standard garage band. At first they called themselves The Torquays after The Fireballs hit single. Lead singer and guitarist Dave Burger and guitarist and banjo player Dave Day (real name-Dave Havlicek) started playing together for something to do. They added pianist Larry Clark (real name-Lawrence Spangler), bassist Eddie Shaw and a German drummer named Hans so they could play local clubs. Burger and Day wrote original songs. They were spotted by talent manager Hans Reich and he convinced them to stay in Germany post discharge. Roger Johnston replaced Hans. They recorded a single and sold it at shows. When The Torquays started a 1965 residency at the Rio Bar in Stuttgart, they were spotted by a new management team that thought more could be done with them. So the band name was changed to Monks. They all dressed in black robes. They adopted a harder edged sound using a fuzz box and a wah wah pedal. And Day started playing the banjo just to confuse the audience. Polydor Records was interested in Monks but they wanted them to play Top Ten Club in Hamburg where The Beatles played. Polydor signed Monks and the album Black Monk Time was released in 1966. Complicated was the lead single. They were probably too unconventional at the time with their odd look and protest songs. Management tried to get Monks to change. But they were reluctant to do that and they split up in 1967. Monks was never released in the US. So when Complicated appeared on Nuggets, fans wanted to know more. This led to album reissues and reunions. So Monks are more famous today than they were in the 60s. Burger continued to perform until his 2014 death. Here's Monks performing Complicated on the German TV show Beat-Club 1966. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Infamous Stringdusters

Artist:The Infamous Stringdusters

Song:No More to Leave You Behind

Album:Fork in the Road

The Infamous Stringdusters are a bluegrass band with jam band tendencies. Sometimes their music is described as jamgrass. I can assure you that even contemporary bluegrass bands like The Seldom Scene would never go into a Grateful Dead style jam. So that distinguishes The Infamous Stringdusters from other bluegrass bands. Andy Hall on dobro, Chris Eldridge on guitar and Chris Pandolfi on banjo were classmates at Berklee in Boston. In 2005, Hall moved to Nashville and joined Ronnie Bowman and the Committee. Eldridge and Pandolfi soon followed and the three started jamming. They were joined by Jesse Cobb on mandolin and Jeremy Garrett on fiddle from Bowman's band plus bassist Travis Book. When The Infamous Stringdusters started playing gigs, the bluegrass label Sugar Hill signed them to a record deal. Fork in the Road was their debut CD in 2007. The album was produced by Blue Highway guitarist Tim Stafford. The Infamous Stringdusters mostly perform original songs. Andy Hall wrote No More to Leave You Behind. And as I said, they have jam band tendencies when they perform live. The Infamous Stringdusters won three International Bluegrass Music Association awards. Eldridge soon left for The Punch Brothers and was replaced by Andy Falco and Cobb left in 2011. The International Stringdusters recorded three albums for Sugar Hill and two for Compass. But since 2011 they have recorded for their own label. Their latest album Toward the Fray was released this year. All their albums are available as digital downloads. Bluegrass fans should check them out. Here's The Infamous Stringdusters performing No More to Leave You Behind in Madison, WI Oct. 26, 2012.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Santo & Johnny

Artist:Santo & Johnny

Song:Sleepwalk

Album:Sleepwalk

The instrumental Sleepwalk topped the charts in 1959. It was the only big hit for Santo & Johnny. Some of their other songs charted so they are not a one hit wonder. But Sleepwalk was their only memorable song. Santo and Johnny Farina are brothers from Brooklyn, NY. Santo was born Oct. 24, 1937. Johnny was born Apr. 30, 1941. While he was stationed in the US Army during WWII, their father heard a steel guitar on the radio and insisted to his wife that the boys should learn how to play it. When he returned, he found a music teacher who taught the boys steel guitar. Back in those days, the steel guitar was mostly identified with Hawaiian music. So the chances that Santo & Johnny would be pop stars was very slim. As teens they played local clubs. Santo played steel guitar and Johnny played standard electric guitar. One night they couldn't sleep and they wrote Sleepwalk. The record became a hit when famed DJ Alan Freed said it would be a hit. Payola was real in those days. Santo & Johnny signed with Canadian-American Records. Sleepwalk topped the charts. It was their only big hit. Santo & Johnny continued to record regularly until the late 60s. They played the oldies circuit for years. Johnny still does that but Santo is retired. This CD from the reissue label Jasmine is the first two Santo & Johnny albums. They are original recordings. Beware of rerecordings. Here's Santo & Johnny performing Sleepwalk on the Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show Aug. 1,1959.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Rural Alberta Advantage

Artist:The Rural Alberta Advantage

Song:Under the Knife

Album:Departing

The Rural Alberta Advantage is an indie band that has had success mostly in their native Canada. They are led by singer songwriter Nils Edenloff. He's from Alberta but he moved to Toronto because that's the center of the music business in Canada. He met the other members of The Rural Alberta Advantage at an open mic night at a Toronto club in 2005. The band name came from an email Edenloff sent to his brother when he was planning a trip home. The other members of the band are Amy Cole on bass and Paul Banwatt on drums. After recording a demo and releasing an EP, The Rural Alberta Advantage signed with Paper Bag Records, a Toronto based management and record label best known for the Tokyo Police Club. Label co-owner and recording studio owner Roger Leavens produced the 2008 album Hometowns. Then they got a US record deal with Saddle Creek Records, an Omaha based label owned by singer songwriter Conor Oberst's brother. Under the Knife is from their second album Departing which was released in 2011. It's available as a digital download. The Rural Alberta Advantage have had modest chart success and have been nominated for Junos and the Polaris Music Prize. Most of their success is due to touring. Their latest album The Wild was released in 2017 and they released an EP recently. They are currently on a Canadian tour and they will tour the US in 2023. Edenloff writes and produces everything so he could be a solo act. I assume he likes the anonymity of a band. Here's The Rural Alberta Advantage or more specifically Nils Edenloff and his piano performing Under the Knife at what appears to be a Toronto church 2011. 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Rhea Ripley vs Asuka

Here's the match video of Rhea Ripley vs Asuka from last night's episode of RAW. The winner of this match gives her team the advantage in War Games. So as great as this match was and as much as they beat the crap out of each other, it's still a lame timewaster because the heels always win these matches. It was still fun to watch. This Friday Bianca will announce the fifth member of her team. All reports indicate that Becky Lynch will be the fifth member. And that will get us set for Saturday. Enjoy the video! 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Nils Petter Molvaer

Artist:Nils Petter Molvaer

Song:Trip

Album:Solid Ether

Trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer mixes jazz with electronica to create what is bring called Future Jazz. It's certainly not for most jazz fans. But I guess it shows there is room for everything in music. He was born Sept. 18, 1960 in Langevag, More og Romsdal, Norway. He studied at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium from 1980-82 and he was in the bands Jazzpunkensemblett with guitarist Jon Eberson and Masqualero with Tore Brunborg on sax, Arild Andersen on bass and Jon Christensen on drums. Masqualero recorded four albums for ECM Records. After they split up in 1990, he recorded as a sideman with other ECM artists. Then he signed with ECM and released his 1997 debut album as a leader Khmer. As a musician, Molvaer sounds a lot like Miles Davis. Rather than invite comparisons to a legend by recording standard jazz, Molvaer decided to use electronic effects and sampling. Though this is not for everyone, it certainly distinguishes him from other musicians. Trip is from his 2000 album Solid Ether. Musicians are Eivind Aarset on guitar, Audun Erlien on bass and and Rune Arnesen and Per Lindvall on drums. Pal "DJ Strangefruit" Nyhus handles a lot of the electronic effects. Molvaer left ECM in 2010 and has since recorded for Sony's Okeh label. His latest album Stitches was released in 2021 on BMG's Modern Recordings label. What do I think of him? He's OK in small doses. I don't think I could listen to him regularly. He's not a great trumpeter so he needs the gimmick. Here's Nils Petter Molvaerwith Audun Erlien, Rune Arnesen, Eivind Aarset, DJ Strangefruit and Raymond Pellicer performing Trip at the 2001 Hamburg Jazzport Festival in Germany.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers

Artist:Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers

Song:Give Him Cornbread

Album:The Best of Beau Joque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers

Before his untimely 1999 death, Beau Joque was well on his way to becoming the new king of Zydeco music. Give Him Cornbread was Joque's signature song. Zydeco is the music of the Louisiana French Creole. Clifton Chenier was the original King of Zydeco. But after his 1987 death, there were several guys jockeying to be the new king. Beau Joque was born Andrus Espre Nov. 1, 1953 in Duralde, LA. His father played accordion but quit performing when he started a family. Espre played guitar in a high school rock band. After graduating high school, Espre enlisted in the US Air Force. After nine years, an explosion left him in the hospital with amnesia. He came home to work as an electrician at an oil refinery. While recovering from a work related accident, Espre started playing his father's accordion. He got good enough at it that he thought he could start a band. He called himself Beau Jocque which is Creole for Big Guy. He first recorded on his own label in 1992. And that got the attention of Rounder Records producer Scott Billington. Beau Jocque Boogie was his first Rounder album in 1993. Give Him Cornbread was on the album. The reaction was that Beau Joque was updating Zydeco with rock and other music elements. Musicians on the album were Ray Johnson on guitar, Chuck Bush on bass, Steve Charlot on drums and Wilfred Pierre on washboard. Other than Pierre, these guys were younger than musicians that would normally appear on a Zydeco album. And Billington sold them as having a fresh sound. Beau Joque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers headlined Rounder's 1995 Louisiana Red Hot Music Tour. This was very effective strategy. Beau Jocque recorded five albums for Rounder. This comp is a good intro to their music. There was even a rivalry with veteran Zydeco musician Boozoo Chavis who accused Beau Jocque of not paying his dues. Of course that rivalry was good for business. It was the subject of Robert Mugge's 1994 documentary The Kingdom of Zydeco. The rivalry continued until Andrus Espre died of a heart attack on Sept. 9,1999 at age 45. It's too bad. He was just getting started. Here's Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers performing Give Him Cornbread from Robert Mugge's 1994 documentary The Kingdom of Zydeco. This can be streamed on Hoopla for free with a library card. 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Natalia Silva vs Tereza Bleda

Here's the match video of Natalia Silva vs Tereza Bleda from yesterday's UFC show in Las Vegas. This fight is at Flyweight. Natalia is more experienced so I expected her to win. She is 25 years old from Minas Gerais, Brazil and a former Jungle Fight champ. She trains at Team Borracha. UFC fighter Paulo Costa is an owner but the head coach is Carlos Borracha. She is mainly a striker. Tereza is 20 years old from Prague, Czech Republic. Though she won her Contender Series match in September, I don't think she's ready for the UFC. Tereza starts out OK and gets top position in round one. But she doesn't do much with that. And I think Natalia needed to play to her own strengths which is what Borracha told her between rounds. Natalia took control in round two. And then in round three she finished Tereza with a spinning back fist that she seemed to stumble into. A good win for Natalia but I would like to see her against better competition. Enjoy the video! 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Vanessa Demopoulos vs Maria Oliveira

Here's the match video of Vanessa Demopoulos vs Maria Oliveira from yesterday's UFC show is Las Vegas. This fight is at Strawweight. I don't think either fighter should be in the UFC. Vanessa had been been in the LFA for a while trying to get into the UFC. She is training now at Fight Ready in Phoenix so there may be some improvement. But it's hard to tell against someone like Maria. She is a teammate of Jessica Andrade at PRVT. But she's nowhere near as good. PRVT is now in Vegas and having better access to the UFC is the main reason they moved. I don't think Maria would be in the UFC if PRVT was still in Brazil. So Vanessa got an easy win. I would like to see her against better competition just to see how she does. Enjoy the video!

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Jennifer Maia vs Maryna Moroz

Here's the match video of Jennifer Maia vs Maryna Moroz from yesterday's UFC show in Las Vegas. This fight is at Flyweight. This fight played into Jennifer's strengths so I expected her to win by unanimous decision. Jennifer is a former title contender from Curitiba, Brazil. She trains at Chute Boxe. She's a boxer with no power. But she's big enough to beat a smaller opponent fairly easily. Maryna is a one time Strawweight who moved up to Flyweight. So she lacks size compared to Jennifer. I thought Jennifer won the first two rounds easily. And then she cruised in the third round and won by unanimous decision. I don't see what a win like this does for Jennifer. It doesn't make me think she can beat anyone who is any good. I guess a win is a win. Enjoy the video! 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Wilco

Artist:Wilco

Song:Theologians

Album:What's Your 20? Essential Tracks 1994-2014

Wilco has been one of the more durable bands in recent years. They started out as alt country and today they encompass different styles of music. Probably the best way to learn about them is get this 2CD comp as a digital download and figure out what songs you like. Wilco was formed in 1994 when the alt country group Uncle Tupelo split up because Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar weren't getting along. Wilco is basically Uncle Tupelo minus Farrar. Bassist John Stirratt is the only original member still in Wilco. Other members were Ken Coomer and Max Johnston. Wilco signed with Warner's Reprise label and released their debut album A.M. in 1994. For the most part, Tweedy didn't get along with Warner. They wanted him to make hit records. He wasn't interested. Eventually he got out of his contract and signed with another Warner label Nonesuch where there would be no pressure to produce hit records. The 2004 album A Ghost Is Born was their first Nonesuch. The album sold well. It was at this point that that guitarist Nels Cline was brought in along with Pat Sansone. Wilco's lineup has been stable since then. Tweedy started his own label in 2011 and Wilco is still recording. Their latest album Cruel Country was released last spring. I assume Wilco will continue as long as Tweedy wants to do it. Here's Wilco performing Theologians on Late Night with Conan O'Brien 2004. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Post Animal

Artist:Post Animal

Song:Gelatin Mode

Album:When I Think of You in a Castle

Post Animal is an indie band that got a boost when one of their members joined the cast of the popular Netflix series Stranger Things. He's no longer in the band but Post Animal's brand of neo psychedelia should do OK. They are from Chicago formed in 2014 by childhood friends Dalton Allison on bass and Matt Williams on guitar. For the 2015 EP Post Animal Perform the Most Curious Water Activities, they added guitarists Jake Hirshland and Joe Keery. Then they added drummer Wesley Toledo for the 2016 EP Garden Series. Post Animal started playing local clubs. This was when Keery joined Stranger Things. Guitarist Javi Reyes was brought in. They signed with Polyvinyl while recording their 2017 album When I Think of You in a Castle. Keery appeared on the album but he was soon forced to leave the band as Stranger Things became his main priority. He also appeared in the 2021 film Free Guy and he has released two albums as Djo. Post Animal's latest album Love Gibberish was released in May and they toured to support it.. Alison and Hirshland write and produce everything. Neo psychedelic fans should check them out. Here's the video for Gelatin Mode by Post Animal. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Ernie Freeman

Artist:Ernie Freeman

Song:Raunchy

Album:Live It Up!

A while ago I wrote about how Raunchy was the biggest hit and signature song of Bill Justis. It may seem odd today but in Dec. 1957 there were three recordings of Raunchy in the top ten at the same time. Justis reached #2. Ernie Freeman's recording of Raunchy reached #4 and Billy Vaughn's easy listening version of Raunchy reached #10. This was record companies trying to beat each other to the punch. Whatever version was released first was usually the biggest hit. Raunchy was not only Justis' biggest chart hit but it was Freeman's biggest chart hit. For the most part, Ernie Freeman was a significant behind the scenes figure in the Los Angeles studio scene for many years. His recordings as a leader were a sidebar. He was born Aug. 16, 1922 in Cleveland. His brother Art Freeman had success as a songwriter. As a teen he played local clubs with his father and sister. And he was in the US Navy with the first all black Navy band. After WWII, Freeman graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music with a BA. Then he moved to Los Angeles and earned a master's degree in composition at USC. He started playing Los Angeles clubs mostly as an accompanist. When Freeman joined The Ernie Fields Orchestra as a pianist, he met guys that he would work with for years in the studio. In 1954, Freeman left to start his own band with Irving Ashby on guitar, Plas Johnson on tenor sax and Earl Palmer on drums. At the same time Freeman started playing sessions for artists like Duane Eddy, Bobby Vee and especially The Platters. That's Freeman playing piano on The Great Pretender. Freeman signed with Imperial Records in 1956. And in 1957 Raunchy topped the R&B Singles chart and reached #4 on the pop charts. Freeman recorded for Imperial until 1963. And though he would chart occasionally, Freeman concentrated on studio work. This comp from the reissue label Jasmine covers His Imperial recordings. Freeman won Grammys for his arrangements of Frank Sinatra's Strangers in the Night and Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water. He retired in the late 70s and died on May 16, 1981 at age 58. Here's a video of Raunchy by Ernie Freeman. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Johnny O.

Artist:Johnny O.

Song:Fantasy Girl

Album:The Very Best of Johnny O.: Famous Last Words

Fans of Freestyle dance music are probably already familiar with the music of Juan "Johnny O" Ortiz. Along with Stevie B, he's one of the most popular singers of that kind of music. The 1988 single Fantasy Girl was his first hit followed by several more. Ortiz is from Brooklyn, NY. Ortiz wrote and produced Fantasy Girl with MicMac Records owners Mickey Garcia and Elvin Molina. That and singles like Memories, Dreamboy/Dreamgirl and Runaway Love were all dance club hits. That's pretty good for that kind of music. Ortiz recorded three albums for MicMac and he currently records for the German label XYZ. They released this comp. There is incorrect bio info that Ortiz is a radio host in Canada. He lives in Florida with his family. I would guess that he is semi retired at this point. He can probably live off his royalties. Here's Johnny O. performing Fantasy Girl 1988. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Metro Station

Artist:Metro Station

Song:Shake It

Album:Metro Station

The 2008 single Shake It was a top ten hit for Metro Station. One other song charted so they are not technically a one hit wonder. The band didn't last very long. The formation of Metro Station started on the set of the popular Disney Channel TV series Hannah Montana. Trace Cyrus is the son of country music star Billy Ray Cyrus. So his sister is Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus. Mason Musso's brother also appeared on Hannah Montana. So the two met on the set and they decided to form a band. Both guys sing and play guitar. It appears that Musso was lead singer and Cyrus was lead guitarist. They brought in Blake Healy to play bass. And drummer Anthony Improgo joined after he heard them on MySpace. And when Red Ink saw them on MySpace they got a record deal with Columbia distribution. Most of the songs on their 2006 debut CD were written and produced by Sam Hollander and Dave Katz AKA S*A*M and Sluggo. There was concern at first when the album didn't take off. Shake It was the third single. It reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified Gold. I would describe Metro Station's music as emo with electronic dance elements. The generic band name did them no favors. It didn't get any farther as Musso and Cyrus weren't getting along and Healy and Improgo jumped ship. Musso retained the rights to the Metro Station name. They have reunited a couple of times including releasing a 2015 album. I would guess the on again off again relationship will continue. The music business loves to beat a dead horse. Here's the video for Shake It by Metro Station.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Augustana

 

Artist:Augustana

Song:Boston

Album:All the Stars and Boulevards

Augustana is a band that will likely remind you of similar bands like Coldplay. They scored a top 40 hit when Boston was played on a TV show. Singer pianist Daniel Layus and guitarist Josiah Rosen are from San Diego. They moved to Ohio to study Christian music at Greenville College. They formed Augustana with pianist David Lamoureux, bassist Simeon Lohrmann and drummer Kyle Baker. They released a couple of EPs. When the school was unhappy with them Layus and Rosen moved back to San Diego and foemed a new band with John Vincent on piano, Jared Palomar on bass and Justin South on drums. After signing with Epic, they released the 2005 album All the Stars and Boulevards produced by Brendan O'Brien who was a VP of Epic at the time. Boston appeared on several TV shows. But the song's appearance on Scrubs got them radio play. It reached #34 on the Billboard Hot 100. My guess is listeners thought it was a Coldplay song. When subsequent albums didn't do well, Augustana left Epic in 2011 after three albums. Augustana split up but Dayus continues to use the Augustana name. I assume he will continue to do that. Here's the video for Boston by Augustana.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Jim Ed Brown

 

Artist:Jim Ed Brown

Song:Pop A Top

Album:The Essential Jim Ed Brown & The Browns

Jim Ed Brown first had success with his sisters as The Browns. Then he had solo success. The 1967 single Pop A Top was his biggest hit. Then he had success in the late 70s singing with Helen Cornelius. He was born Apr. 1, 1934 in Sparkman, AR. He sang with his sisters and they signed with RCA in 1956. Of course the 1959 single The Three Bells was their biggest hit. Brown started recording solo in 1965 while the group was still together. After they split up, Pop A Top reached #3 on the Country Singles chart. It was from his 1967 album Just Jim produced by Narvel Felts who usually produced Elvis Presley. Pop A Top is obviously a drinking song written by Nat Stuckey. He had chart success in the 70s. Maybe you heard Alan Jackson's 1999 recording of Pop A Top. Brown had one other top five hit with the 1970 single Morning. And he hosted his own TV show. In 1976 he started recording several duet albums with Helen Cornelius. They were pretty successful until they split up in 1981. Brown didn't record much after that. He hosted the weekly radio show Country Music Greats. Brown continued to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. He was inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. You can get all his hits on this comp. Jim Ed Brown died of lung cancer on June 11, 2015 at age 81. Here's Jim Ed Brown performing Pop A Top 1974.

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Silvana Gomez Juarez

Here's the match video of Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Silvana Gomez Juarez from last night's UFC show in New York City. This fight was at Strawweight. This was a terrible fight. Karolina is a veteran fighter who probably should retire. But instead she decided to go to American Top Team. Silvana is also a veteran fighter from Argentina. She's awful. I don't know why she is in the UFC. So this fight was three rounds of nothing. Karolina won by unanimous decision but both were terrible. And as she always does after she stinks out the joint, Karolina apologized for not doing more. Look, she's a safety first fighter. She got away with it here because Silvana is worse than her. This didn't make me think that Karolina could beat anyone good. Check it out for yourself. 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Erin Blanchfield vs Molly McCann

 Here's the match video of Erin Blanchfield vs Molly McCann at last night's UFC show in New York. This fight is at Flyweight. Molly is very popular in her native England. But Is she really any good? That's why the UFC matched her with Erin who has potential to be a champ. Erin wasted no time taking Molly down and pounding her. I thought maybe the fight should have been stopped. But Erin continued and won with a kimura. That was what I expected. Enjoy the video!

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Zhang Weili vs Carla Esparza

Here's the match video of Carla Esparza defending her UFC Strawweight Championship against Zhang Weili at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This fight went about like I thought it would. Carla's only hope was to use her wrestling to sit on Weili for 25 minutes. I didn't think Carla would be able to do that. I think Carla and her coach Colin Oyama miscalculated. They underestimated Weili's ground skills. I'm sure they realized that after round one. And then Weili finished Carla with a rear naked choke in round two. One of the interesting things about this match is the crowd cheered Weili and booed Carla. In the past Weili was booed. This was because of how Carla won the title. Afterwards Weili said she wants her first title defense in China. We shall see. Weili looked great in this fight. Enjoy the video!

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Richard O'Brien

Artist:Richard O'Brien w/Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, Charles Gray & The Transylvanians

Song:The Time Warp

Album:The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

No doubt when Richard O'Brien wrote The Rocky Horror Picture Show, he had no idea that it would become this cultural phenomenon. He just wrote it to keep busy. He was born Richard Smith Mar. 25, 1942 in Cheltenham, England. His family moved to New Zealand and his father bought a sheep farm. O'Brien returned to England in 1964 and his ability to ride horses got him stunt work. He took the name Richard O'Brien  as there was already an actor named Richard Smith. After appearing in the 1972 London production of Jesus Christ Superstar, O'Brien showed Sharman a draft of a shlock horror musical he was working on. After changing the name to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sharman produced it on the stage in 1973. The show did well enough that producers came sniffing around. Ode Records owner Lou Adler bought the US rights. He staged the show at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles. Then he bought the movie rights. One of the smartest things Adler did is he kept the film schlocky. That's a big reason why The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been so successful. The Time Warp is one of the big songs in the movie. The performers are O'Brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell and Charles Gray. O'Brien has written other shows but none have been successful. He even produced the 1981 film Shock Treatment which was supposed to appeal to the same crowd as The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was a dismal failure. O'Brien continues to appear on stage along with film and TV. But obviously The Rocky Horror Picture Show is his claim to fame. Here's Richard O'Brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Charles Gray and The Transylvanians performing The Time Warp from the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Takuya Kuroda

Artist:Takuya Kuroda

Song:Mala

Album:Rising Son

Japanese jazz trumpeter Takuya Kuroda is best known for appearing on albums by popular singer Jose James. Those appearances led to this 2014 album on Blue Note. He was born Feb. 21, 1980 in Kobe, Japan. His older brother plays trombone. So Kuroda followed him into the local music scene. After studying in Japan, Kuroda moved to the US to study at Berklee in Boston. And that's where he met Jose James. Then he moved to New York City to study at New School. Then he got into the local club scene playing with guys like Junior Mance and Greg Tardy. Kuroda first recorded three albums on his own label. At the same time, he appeared on a couple of Jose James albums. And that got him a deal with Blue Note for the 2014 album Rising Son. Kuroda wrote most of the songs including Mala. Musicians are Kris Bowers on piano, Solomon Dorsey on bass and Nate Smith on drums. Bowers is in NEXT Collective. Dorsey is in Trio of OZ. Smith has been in Dave Holland's band. Jose James and Lionel Loueke make guest appearances. Though he doesn't appear on Mala, Corey King plays trombone on most of the album. He also sings and he still works with Kuroda. Rising Son is available as a digital download. Since then Kuroda recorded for Concord. And his latest album Fly Moon Die Soon was released in 2020 on the British label First Word. Here's Takuya Kuroda performing Mala in Japan July 2020. Unfortunately the musicians are not identified. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Leaves

Artist:The Leaves

Song:Hey Joe

Album:The Leaves ...are Happening! The Best of the Leaves

Most music fans are probably familiar with Jimi Hendrix' 1966 recording of Hey Joe. But this recording by the garage band The Leaves was recorded in 1964 though it didn't chart until 1966. The Leaves were founded by bassist Jim Pons and guitarist Robert Lee Reiner. They were students at what was then called San Fernando Valley State College in Los Angeles. At first they called themselves The Rockwells. Other members were John Beck on vocals Bill Reinhart on lead guitar and Jimmy Kern on drums. He was replaced by Tom Ray in 1965. First they played at parties. Then they were chosen to replace The Byrds at a residency at Ciro's on Sunset Strip. Pat Boone spotted them and got them a record deal with Mira Records owned by former Dot Records exec Randy Wood. Hey Joe was released in Nov. 1965. But the band didn't like it. They recorded a second version. They didn't like that either. After Reinhart was replaced by Bobby Arlin, they recorded it a third time and it reached #31 on the Billboard Hot 100. They released an album, appeared on various TV shows. They released a second album and split up after Pons left to join The Turtles. He went on to work with Frank Zappa. Of course the Hendrix version is much better known. But The Leaves version got a boost when it appeared on the garage band comp Nuggets. The reissue label Sundazed has released this comp. Though Hey Joe is credited to Rick Roberts and Dino Valenti, It was based on a traditional folk song. The Leaves heard The Byrds perform it at a club. Hey Joe was not a new song. The Leaves recording came out at the right time. Here's The Leaves performing Hey Joe 1966. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Faithless

Artist:Faithless

Song:Insomnia

Album:Insomnia: The Best of Faithless

Electronic Dance Music (EDM) groups are notoriously short lived. Most of these groups are run by producers who are working on several projects at the same time. Faithless has been around since 1995. Insomnia was a big hit in England and it topped the dance charts. This led to a major label deal and longevity. Rowland "Rollo" Armstrong was mostly a remix guy in London clubs. His younger sister is singer Dido. He worked on her album and wrote and produced the 1992 single Don't You Want Me by Felix which was a hit in Europe. In 1995, he met Ayalah "Sister Bliss" Bentovim who was a prodigy musician, Maxwell "Maxi Jazz" Fraser who was in The Soul Food Cafe Band and Jamie Catto to form Faithless. They released their 1996 debut album Reverence on Armstrong's label Cheeky. The single Insomnia generated enough interest in clubs and on British radio that Arista picked it up for North America. They released a radio edit which topped the dance charts and reached #3 on the British Singles chart. It was very successful across Europe. They continued to have success mostly in clubs. Faithless took a break after the 2006 album To All New Arrivals because they wanted to spend more time with their families. After the 2010 album The Dance, they decided to go on hiatus. Faithless returned in 2015 but Fraser chose not to return. Their latest album was released in 2020. Not surprisingly, all three have solo careers. This 2CD comp is a good intro to their music. Here's the video for Insomnia by Faithless. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Silverstein

Artist:Silverstein

Song:Discovering the Waterfront

Album:Discovering the Waterfront

The 2005 album Discovering the Waterfront is the biggest seller to date by the Canadian band Silverstein. Their music is post hardcore emo. It is sometimes called screamo because of the vocals. Silverstein is from Burlington, ON. The original members were Shane Told on lead vocals and bass, Richard McWalter on lead guitar, Josh Bradford on rhythm guitar and Paul Koehler on drums. The band name is because they are admirers of children's author and songwriter Shel Silverstein. When Told decided to concentrate on vocals, Billy Hamilton was brought in to play bass. Then McWalter moved to Victoria, BC and Told brought in childhood friend Neil Boshart. Told and Boshart wrote most of the songs. Silverstein released a couple of EPs and that got them a record deal with Victory Records. Their debut album When Broken Is Easily Fixed was released in 2003. Discovering the Waterfront was their second album in 2005. This began a long relationship with producer Cameron Webb. They seemed to soften their sound and that helped record sales. They also started working more high profile shows like Varped Vans. And they were nominated for a Best New Band Juno award. The constant touring continued. Silverstein recorded four albums for Victory. Since then they have recorded for Hopeless, Rise and currently the Australian label UNFD. When Told and Boshart weren't getting along in 2013, Paul Marc Rousseau was brought in to replace Boshart. They released their latest album in May and they have been on tour to support it. Here's the video for Discovering the Waterfront by Silverstein.

 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Biz Markie

Artist:Biz Markie

Song:Just a Friend

Album:The Best of Cold Chillin'

Rapper Marcel "Biz Markie" Hall scored a top ten hit with the 1989 single Just a Friend. It turned out to be his only chart hit so he is a one hit wonder. Hall's career was severely damaged by the ramifications of illegal sampling. He was born Apr. 8, 1964 in New York City but he grew up in Long Island. That's where he went to high school. After graduating, he began to perform in New York clubs. Hall met producer Marley Marl in 1985 and started working for him as a human beatbox. Of course Hall wanted to be a rapper and demos got him a record deal with Cold Chillin' with Warner Bros. distribution in 1988. The 1989 single Just a Friend is from Hall's second  album The Biz Never Sleeps. It reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified Gold. Just a Friend is a song about girl trouble based on the 1968 Freddie Scott hit (You) Got What I Need written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Of course in the early days of rap, illegal sampling was out of control until Hall's 1993 album I Need a Haircut. The song Alone Again was based on the Gilbert O'Sullivan hit Alone Again (Naturally). After O'Sullivan won his lawsuit, Warners had to pull all copies of Biz Markie's album. And ever since record companies have been more careful about clearing samples and giving songwriters credit. Hall recorded one more album for Warners called All Samples Cleared. He recorded a 2000 album for Tommy Boy and released an EP and some singles. But that lawsuit killed his career and changed the music business forever. Hall appeared as a parody of himself in the 2002 film Men in Black II. He did voice over work and appeared on reality TV. He performed occasionally as a nostalgia act. Type 2 diabetes led to health problems and his death on July 16, 2021 at age 57. Here's the video for Just a Friend by Biz Markie. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Maurette Brown Clark

Artist:Maurette Brown Clark

Song:It Ain't Over

Album:The Dream

Most gospel fans are probably familiar with Maurette Brown Clark as a featured singer with Richard Smallwood and Vision. But she recorded solo albums while she was in that group and they are worth checking out. Maurette was born in Long Island in 1966. She was six years old when she started singing with her family gospel group. After finishing school, she started touring with gospel singers. She married and relocated to Washington, DC. The Richard Smallwood Singers were formed in 1996. The name was later changed to Richard Smallwood and Vision. Maurette was always a featured singer with the group. She recorded an album in 1998 for Verity Records. Then she signed in 2002 with Atlanta International or as it was sometimes called AIR Gospel. By the time the 2007 album The Dream was released, Malaco Records bought AIR. They decided to spend some money to promote the album. They even produced a video for It Ain't Over. The album was produced by Asaph Ward who was a staff producer for EMI Gospel and Verity. The album was recorded live at The Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore. The musical director was Anthony Brown. He not only provided the background singers but he wrote three songs including It Ain't Over. Maurette recorded a 2011 album for AIR. And that's her latest album. I don't think AIR is around anymore. Malaco quietly closed it. Maurette has released a couple of singles. I don't think she is with Smallwood anymore. He still tours but he last recorded in 2015. Maurette has appeared on albums by Anthony Brown and group therAPY. Yes, the same Anthony Brown. I believe she is just trying to help him and her name has value with gospel fans. She's at an age where she might not want to tour anymore. Anyway, I do recommend Maurette's albums to gospel fans. Here's the video for It Ain't Over by Maurette Brown Clark. 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Tamires Vidal vs Ramona Pascual

Here's the match video of Tamires Vidal vs Ramona Pascual from last night's UFC show in Las Vegas. This fight is at Bantamweight. Tamires is a UFC newcomer. She is 24 years old from Nitero, Brazil. She trains at Team Brothers. Her record is 7-1 and she last fought in LFA in March. Ramona is 35 years old from Hong Kong. She trains at Syndicate in Las Vegas. She was brought into the UFC for the Singapore show but she has looked awful. Plus she missed weight. Tamires wasted no time. She nailed Ramona with a couple of knees and it was over at 3:06 of round one. Good debut for Tamires. Enjoy the video! 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Polyana Viana vs Jinh Yu Frey

Here's the fight video of Polyana Viana vs Jinh Yu Frey from last night's UFC show in Las Vegas. This fight is at Strawweight. Polyana is 30 years old from Para, Brazil. She trains at Tata Fight Club in Rio de Janeiro. She's gone 4-4 in the UFC and this may be her last chance. Jinh is 37 years old from Arlington, TX. I guess she's back training with her husband because her bad habits have returned. She was a champ in Invicta but I don't think she is aggressive enough. When she was training at Fortis I saw some improvement. But not anymore. Jinh is 2-4 in the UFC so this could be a loser leave town match. And Polyana showed some urgency. She hammered Jinh and got the finish in 47 seconds. Let's see if she can put some wins together. Enjoy the video! 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Miranda Maverick vs Shanna Young

Here's the match video of Miranda Maverick vs Shanna Young from last night's UFC show in Las Vegas. This fight is at Flyweight. Miranda is 25 years old from Missouri. Before her last fight, she moved to Elevation in Denver. Her coach is former UFC fighter Eliot Marshal. She had decent coaching before. But the gym was not set up to make her an elite fighter. This was a really good move. Shanna is 31 years old. She trains at Syndicate in Las Vegas. She was on Contenders Series but did not get a contract offer. She got into the UFC as a short notice replacement. I don't think she belongs in the UFC. And she had to cut her hair to make weight. Miranda dominated Shanna for three rounds. The only thing she didn't do was finish. I scored it 30-26. Miranda should be ranked after this fight and I would like to see her against a ranked fighter. I think she has greatly improved since moving to Elevation. Enjoy the video! 

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Amanda Lemos vs Marina Rodriguez

Here's the match video of Amanda Lemos vs Marina Rodriguez from last night's UFC show in Las Vegas. This fight is at Strawweight and scheduled for five rounds. Amanda is 35 years old from Para, Brazil. She trains at Marajo Brothers which is the Alcantara brothers who both used to fight in the UFC. She likes to finish fights. Marina is 35 years old from Florianopolis, Brazil. She trains at Thai Brasil with coach Marcio Malko. All the fighters there are strikers. Marina was heavily favored because she was on a four fight winning streak. It's likely if she wins this fight she gets a title shot. I just don't like her much. I think she's a typical points fighter. Her KO of Amanda Ribas was a lucky punch. Round one was a nothing round. They are trying to feel each other out and neither did much of anything. I scored it 9-9. In a five round fight they can waste a round. Amanda was better in round two. I scored it 10-9. Then in round three Amanda landed an overhand right to the head that knocked Marina loopy. And that led to the finish. There has been some who thought the finish was too soon. I thought Marina was out of it after the right to the head and she wasn't defending herself. I was fine with the stoppage. Next week Carla Esparza defends the UFC Strawweight Championship against Zhang Weili. I expect Zhang to win. Zhang vs Lemos would have major fireworks. I would like to see that fight. Enjoy the video! 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Banana Splits

Artist:The Banana Splits

Song:The Tra La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)

Album:Tube Tales Vol. 1: The '70s

The Banana Splits was a kids TV show that debuted in 1968. It was obviously influenced by The Monkees. Of course the band wore these costumes. The Tra La Song was the theme of the show and it charted at the time. Lee Rich of the Leo Burnett ad agency approached Joe Barbera of Hanna-Barbera about an hour long Saturday morning kids show for Kellogg's. Barbera suggested that instead of animated characters, they could be costumed performers resembling oversized puppets. After he sold the concept to Burnett staff, He got Sid and Marty Krofft to make the costumes. There were four segments in the show wrapped in Banana Splits musical comedy segments. It was called The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and it premiered on NBC Sept. 7, 1968. The live action segments were forgettable. But kids loved The Banana Splits and of course the music. The Banana Splits theme The Tra La Song charted and Decca released an album. Not surprisingly, the music was recorded by studio musicians. The Tra La Song was credited to Ritchie Adams and Mark Barkan. But supposedly it was actually written by Leo Burnett staff songwriter Nelson Winkless Jr. The vocals were likely by Joey Levine and Rick Lancelotti. Levine sang for Kasenetz-Katz and was a veteran jingle singer. Lancelotti went on to work with Frank Zappa. The Banana Splits only lasted for two seasons. But there was renewed interest when The Dickies covered The Tra-La Song in 1978. And the interest continues today. You can get the original theme on this TV theme CD from Rhino. Here's  the opening and closing credits for The Banana Splits Adventure Hour featuring The Tra-La Song (one Banana, Two Banana).

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Josh Rouse

Artist:Josh Rouse

Song:Directions

Album:The Best of the Rykodisc Years

Singer songwriter Josh Rouse probably had his greatest success when his song Directions was used in Cameron Crowe's 2001 film Vanilla Sky. He was born Mar. 9, 1972 in Oshkosh, NE but his family moved around a lot. Roush moved to Nashville and worked as a parking valet while he tried to make it in the music business. His songs generated enough interest that he signed with Slow River Records with Rykodisc distribution. Home was Rouse''s third album in 1999. The album got enough critical acclaim that Rouse got to appear on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Plus Cameron Crowe used Directions in his film Vanilla Sky. So that got him a good fanbase. Rouse moved to Spain in 2004 to be with his wife. He currently owns his own label with Yep Roc distribution. He released his latest album Going Places in 2022. This comp covers the Rykodisc years. Here's Josh Rouse performing Directions on Late Night with Conan O'Brien Apr. 14, 2000. 

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-James Cagney

Artist:James Cagney

Song:You're a Grand Old Flag

Album:Yankee Doodle Dandy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Fans of movie musicals are going to want to check out the soundtrack for the 1943 musical Yankee Doodle Dandy. This is a biopic about famed songwriter George M. Cohan for which James Cagney won an Oscar. Cagney was one of Hollywood's biggest stars but he didn't like being typecast as a tough guy. He was born July 17, 1899 in New York City. He started tap dancing as a boy. He was also an amateur boxer but his mother wouldn't let him turn pro. Cagney appeared in vaudeville and on Broadway in the 20s. After Cagney and Joan Blondell appeared on the play Penny Arcade, Al Jolson bought the play and sold it to Warner Bros. on the condition that Cagney and Blondell star in it. This led to Cagney's 1931 breakthrough film The Public Enemy and to years of tough guy typecasting. This and money were a constant battle between Cagney and Warner Bros. president Jack Warner. After leaving Warners and winning a lawsuit, Cagney returned in 1938. In 1942, famed patriotic songwriter George M. Cohan agreed to have his life turned into a movie. Yankee Doodle Dandy producer Hal B. Wallis always said that Cagney was his only choice to play Cohan, Cohan himself wanted Fred Astaire. But Astaire agreed with Wallis and passed. Of course the film was a great success and Cagney won a Best Actor Oscar. It was the pinnacle of his career and he wasn't playing a tough guy. The soundtrack was first released in 1992 by Curtain Calls. Turner Classic Movies acquired the rights and released it via Rhino. BTW, the black singer in the video is William Gillespie of Golden Echo Quartet. He also appeared in the 1941 film Blues in the Night. Cagney again left Warner Bros. to start a production company with his brother. That didn't go well and Cagney returned to Warners to make White Heat in 1949. Cagney continued until his 1962 retirement. He returned in the 1981 film Ragtime. His health continued to deteriorate until he died on Mar. 30, 1986 at age 86. Here's James Cagney performing You're a Grand Old Flag from the 1943 film Yankee Doodle Dandy.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Chloe Agnew

Artist:Chloe Agnew

Song To Where You Are

Album:Walking in the Air

Chloe Agnew is an original member of Celtic Woman. She recorded solo and joined Celtic Woman in 2004. Then she left Celtic Woman in 2013 and returned in 2020. She was born June 9, 1989 in Knocklyon, Ireland. Chloe first sang on her mom's TV show when she was six years old. in 1998 she represented Ireland and won the Grand Prix at the First International Children's Song Competition in Cairo. At age 11, Chloe approached David Downes about recording a song to raise money for the children of Afghanistan. After that was successful, he signed her to his Celtic Connections label. Walking in the Air was the second of two albums she recorded in 2004. Downes produced. Most of the songs are contemporary arranged in the Celtic style. To Where You Are was written and produced by Richard Marx for Josh Groban's 2001 album Josh Groban. Downes started Celtic Woman right after this and Chloe was an original. So Downes knew the Celtic Woman formula before he started the group. Chloe's album was released in the US in 2006 after Celtic Woman became popular. This album is available as a digital download. Chloe left Celtic Woman in 2013. And after three albums, she returned in 2020. After a couple of tours, she left again in 2022. Don't be surprised if she returns down the road. Here's the video for To Where You Are by Chloe Agnew.

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Mars Volta

Artist:The Mars Volta

Song:Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)

Album:Deloused in the Comatorium

Despite their success at the time, the members of At the Drive In disagreed on musical direction. So they split into two bands in 2001. Guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala wanted to make more experimental music. It looks like they were bored with At the Drive In. At first the band was called DeFacto. After one album, the band was renamed The Mars Volta after a Federico Fellini book. Rodriguez-Lopez and Bixler-Zavala are the only constant members of The Mars Volta. Anyone else is interchangeable and disposable. They started their own label Gold Standard Laboratories and signed a distribution deal with Universal. Rick Rubin produced the 2003 album Deloused in the Comatorium. The album was very successful despite the music not being commercial. It's their most successful album to date. Unfortunately founding member Jeremy Ward died of a heroin overdose while the band was on tour. He was writing a lot of the lyrics. This convinced Rodriguez-Lopez and Bixler-Zavala to stop using drugs. The Mars Volta toured a lot with The Red Hot Chili Peppers so I think that was a lot of their fanbase. The Mars Volta recorded four albums for Universal. They closed their own label and moved to Warner Bros. for the 2008 album The Bedlam in Goliath. After three albums, they split up in 2013. They reunited in 2022 and released an album on the German Clouds Hill label. Fans of Red Hot Chili Peppers should enjoy The Mars Volta. I think they are a little to similar to that band. Here's The Mars Volta performing Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of) on Nissan Live Sets and Yahoo Music 2008.

Big Bad Blog Video Theater-Alexa Bliss and Asuka vs Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky

 Here's the match video of Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky defending the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship vs Alexa Bliss and Asuka from last night's episode of RAW. Asuka and Alexa returned last night after a three week injury absence. Damage CONTRL were ganging up on Bianca Belair. Bianca and Bayley have a Last Woman Standing match on this Saturday's Saudi show. Asuka was wearing a knee brace and she wore new makeup. I don't know if Asuka is really injured. But her attention to detail is such that she would wear a brace to sell a phony injury. This match was the main event. There was some sloppiness at the start of the match. But things picked up later on. And then Bayley interfered while Asuka had Iyo in the Asuka Lock. After Bianca took Bayley out, Alexa won with the Twisted Bliss. The rematch will be this Saturday. It's good to see Asuka with gold again. Enjoy the video!

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Eels

Artist:Eels

Song:Novocaine for the Soul

Album:Meet the Eels: Essential Eels Vol. 1 1996-2006

Eels started out as a solo act and turned into a band in the mid 90s. After commercial success, this was yet another band that was killed by DreamWorks Records closing. Mark Oliver Everett or E as he likes to be called on stage grew up in Virginia but he moved to Los Angeles in 1987. He signed a record deal with Polydor as E and released two albums. Everett toured as a solo act. He met drummer Jonathan "Butch" Norton who suggested that Everett turn E into a band called Eels. They were one of the first bands to sign with DreamWorks Records in 1995. Beautiful Freak was the first album in 1996. Novocaine for the Soul topped the US Alternative chart. Everett wrote and produced that song with guitarist Mark Goldenberg. But for the most part, Everett continued to write, produce and play all the instruments himself. So he's really a solo artist and the band members are disposable. Eels released five albums when DreamWorks closed in 2006. Since then he has recorded for small labels and currently Everett records for his own E Works label with distribution from the Belgian PIAS label. His latest album Extreme Witchcraft was released Jan. 2022. On the suggestion of music video director Mark Romanek, Everett brought in PJ Harvey producer John Parish. At first Parish worked remotely from his home in England. But then he came to Los Angeles to work directly with Everett. This was the first outside producer to be brought in since 2001. Eels can continue as long as Everett wants to do it. This comp covers the DreamWorks recordings. Here's the video for Novocaine for the Soul by Eels.