Music
Dr. Bob Fitrakis and Dan-o Dougan reminisce about the songs their parents' listened to in their family homes during their childhood and tell nostalgic stories about their parents.
Listen live at 11pm Fridays, August 1 and 8 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
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Mondays at 2pm streaming August 4 and 11 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM
I attend downtown’s Jazz And Ribfest for an hour every year. I attend because I absorb legendary musicians in nature. While I’m impressed our city attracts various vendors who’ve won BBQ competitions. they don’t sell anything I eat.
Hip Hop is why I’m vegan. Wu Tang Wu Tang Wu Tang Wu Tang Wu Tang. “No Pork on my fork. I don’t dine on swine.” Several Wu members are Vegan.
I visit the Jazz and Ribfest because I’ve seen Ramsey Lewis and Roy Ayers. Thanks, Hip Hop. I browse the Jazz and Ribfest’s website every year. Whomz the legend were playing in 2025.
Mavis Staples Sunday. Kenny Lattimore Friday. I didn’t attend Kenny Lattimore. The weekend rained. Sunday, it rained. I debated – is this worth leaving my building if it’s raining?
The Staple Singers, MAVIS STAPLES!
Wu Tang Clan played their last Columbus concert as a complete group Wednesday night, July 9. Wu’s Nationwide show was part of the Shaolin rappers tour with Run The Jewels. Wu promoted the show as the last tour Wu would tour together..
Wu/RTJ tour’s announcement induced a moment of perspective. Both Wu Tang, and Run The Jewels careers started from the 90’s New York City college radio show, Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito.
Part of the Wu’s legend was Stretch and Bobbie played Wu-Tang’s Protect Yr Neck in December 1992. Protect Yr Neck’s rode the same wave as Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Counterculture unleashed a raw uncompromising sound which was embraced by people who wanted something real. Wu Tang’s buzz negotiated a platinum classic group album Enter The 36 Chambers from Loud which launched solo projects for every Wu member released from major labels Warner, Geffen, Def Jam and Loud.
Wu Tang didn’t play the major label’s game. Wu Tang had leverage where the majors allowed Wu complete creative control.
Protect Your Neck inspired a new generation of Underground Rappers where creative control was an imperative.
Dr. Bob Fitrakis and Dan-o Dougan choose special songs that have been meaningful in their lives.
Listen live at 11pm Friday, July 11 and July 18 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
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Monday at 2pm streaming Julyy 14 and July 21 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM
Devo’s 50th Anniversary Show at Promowest Pavilion opened with a 70’s looking stag movie called the Rod Rooter Video. The Rod Rooter Video depicts a cornball record industry’s climate which existed while Devo were burgeoning Northeast Ohio visionaries. Rod Rooter is a corny music executive who is lecturing Akron’s iconic art performers about marketing. Rod Rooter resembled an unlikable, uncouth predator in a porno movie.
Rod Rooter tells DEVO the Akron legends should aspire into being Kid Rock. While I doubt Kid Rock made music in 1977. Rod Rooter Video’s satire is mocking an embarrassing element from the 70’s and the music industry that still exists.
After this out of touch, and artless cornball lectures Devo, Devo took the stage with the relevant Don’t Shoot. Don’t Shoot reminded everyone Devo’s subversiveness was an Ohio cultural response after the National Guard killed people in Kent, Ohio during the Nixon 70s. We’re thinking about Trump’s disingenuous Ice Raids which compelled Trump into invading California with the National Guard.
Dr. Bob Fitrakis and Dan-o Dougan celebrate trains, especially older songs about trains when they really meant something! Listen to Trains Kept-a Rollin, Love Train, Downtown Train, Hobo Lullaby, Freight Train, Choo Choo Ch-Boogie and more!
Listen live at 11pm Friday, June 13 and 20 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
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Monday at 2pm streaming June 16 and 23 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM
Turnstile’s Never Enough record is a fun musical listen.
Turnstile calls Columbus, Ohio home during the Baltimore band’s sold-out Columbus shows. Turnstile’s bassist Franz Lyons is from Columbus.
Franz skateboarded with Embassy Boardshop. Franz played at the DIY Hardcore house Legion of Doom. Franz frequented Sole Classics which is owned by OSU legend Pepper Johnson’s son, Buckeye Dionte Johnson. Sole Classics brought Kendrick Lamar into town for Kendrick’s first Columbus show.
Franz kicked it at Cafe Bourbon Street’s So What Wednesdays with Ahmed Gallab of Sinkane. Turnstile’s Columbus shows feel like large versions of the Columbus Franz is from. Kids are moshing with PMA everywhere.
Turnstile’s Never Enough album is releasing after Turnstile toured the entire globe. Turnstile played Lollapolloozas in several continents. Turnstile rocked Dodger Stadium with Tyler, The Creator’s festival. Turnstile followed their sold-out homecoming Columbus show with arena tours with My Chemical Romance, and Blink 182.
Never Enough is Turnstile’s 2025 release.
The Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus (“CGMC”) is proud to present their Pride Month concert “35-n-Thrivin’” on June 28th and June 29th at the Davidson Theater in the Vern Riffe Center. The show consists of songs by well-known LGBTQIA+ artists and is a celebration of CGMC’s 35th anniversary season.
Brayton Bollenbacher, CGMC’s Artistic Director, said the Chorus’ 35th anniversary brought to mind renowned LGBTQIA+ artists, including Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge, Elton John, Chappell Roan and Ricky Martin, and the notable music they were working on before the age of 35. “As we are celebrating our 35th season, I was curious to see what Queer musicians were doing when they were 35 years old,” Bollenbacher said. “This concert is really celebrating music by the amazing artists that they created prior to being 35 years old.”
Dan-o Dougan and Dr. Bob Fitrakis start a series on planes, trains and automobiles playing a variety of songs about planes, including Sky Pilot, 8 Miles High, Aeroplane, and more!
Listen live at 11pm Friday, May 30 and June 6 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
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Monday at 2pm streaming June 2 and 9 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM
Dan-o Dougan and Dr. Bob finish their series of shows about the elements - Wind, Earth, Fire and Water - with lots of songs about water, including Who'll Stop the Rain, A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall, Down By the Waterline, Take Me to the River, Sail Away and much more!
Listen live at 11pm Friday, May 16 and 23 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
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Monday at 2pm streaming May 19 and 26 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM