** RIP Charlie Louvin, 1/26/11 **

Country Music Hall of Famer, Charlie Louvin (83), passed away early this morning, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Here's one of my favorites, from The Louvin Brothers days, with brother Ira . .

click for "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" above

and this gem from 1961 . . . "I Can't Keep You In Love With Me" below

Tompkins Square has a wonderful write-up about signing Charlie, working with him on various records and his meeting/tour with Lucinda Williams (he died on her birthday). Take a moment to read it, these are stories to cherish.

And favorite music writer/critic, Bill Friskics-Warren, has a full piece in the New York Times.

** Happy 65th Birthday Dolly Parton! **

She'll be releasing a new CD -- "Better Day" -- this spring, and there's plenty out there that I could have posted but, this one hit me today.

DOLLY PARTON, singing her heart out at 21,

with... "I Couldn't Wait Forever"

BTW - If you're looking for a nice "dose of Dolly," take a listen to the 11am hour of Sunday Morning Country's archives! It'll be available for the next TWO weeks, thru 11 am 1/30.

** Sam & Peter @ Vandy 2/9 7pm FREE! **

To all those living in Music City (or planning to be there soon), do not miss this film & the opportunity to hear Peter Guralnick speak about his latest project.

True Confessions....Radio DJs I Love(d)

Reading all the stories about the, well-deserved, upcoming tribute concert for DICK PLEASANTS at Sanders Theatre this Friday (1/7), got me thinking about the handful of radio personalities who I've loved listening to over the years. Here goes:


1) Salty Brine (WPRO-AM) - we cherished hearing the "no school" announcements as much as The Beatles, The Cowsills, The Monkees, The Supremes and Neil Diamond. For over 50 yrs, Salty was a trusted friend on RI radio (and television, along with his side-kick collie, Jeff). Until recently, I had no idea he was actually born in BOSTON!

2) Eric Jackson (WGBH) - coming in loud and clear, all the way down to Narragansett, RI. "Eric in the Evening" is still a must each evening, he's always been kind enough to entertain my request for Air and The Art Ensemble of Chicago (in spite of numerous listener objections to such "noise"). Thanks Eric!

3) Charles Laquidara (WBCN) - a legend, a wild man, Duane Ingalls Glasscock and Mishegas on the Big Mattress were daily requirements along with . . . the ROCK! How often were you late for work, unable to leave your car, while waiting for the unsuspecting caller to realize it was a prank? The best!

4) Dick Pleasants (WGBH, WUMB) - the ultimate radio voice and knowledgeable nice guy in the biz, his Folk Heritage shows/interviews were the best and his UMB morning show got everyone off to a fine start each day.

5) Brian "Ol Sinc" Sinclair (WHRB) - as co-host on the long-running, original Country jamboree, "Hillbilly at Harvard," Ol' Sinc provided the ying to Cousin Lynn's yang. Smooth voiced, quick witted and damn smart. There wasn't much Sinc didn't know about Country music or red headed women.

Naturally, there are plenty more wonderful DJs behind the mic, over the net, and at a slew of college stations across the country (we are blessed to have so many right here in New England)! The above-listed DJs are the 5 who've had the biggest impact on my ears over the years. Who are some of yours?

Remember. . . turn your radio on!