Coming Up For Air - A Few Passing Thoughts

- This will be brief(er)...

- Still waters run deep, and there are a lot of very good things taking place beneath the surface at WNCW. Stay tuned. Keep your eyes and ears peeled.

- For those of you in Charlotte, the proposal for the return of our 100.3 FM translator occasionally passes through my office as it wings it's way from attorney to attorney, in search of just the right language that will prompt agreement, signatures and - after far, FAR too long - action. It makes a "whooshing" sound as it zips by.

I remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached. Why? Because I gave my word to you that we'd return to Charlotte's airwaves. And we will.

- One of the many increasingly important benefits to listening to WNCW is that it doesn't require you to fill up your gas tank. Granted, we come to you twice a year to ask that you help to fill the station's "fuel tank." But, when you consider the mileage you're getting for your investment in WNCW, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal. While actual mileage may vary, I think you'll find that WNCW can take you places where even 4-wheelers fear to tread. To paraphrase the late Freddie Mercury of Queen, "Get on your radios and ride!"

- Finally, the best ride around this Fourth of July is on WNCW. Between 8am and noon, our DJ's will spin music from artists throughout this great land...state by state, in alphabetical order. Then, starting at 2PM, WNCW will feature great American music and musicians recorded live in our own world-famous Studio B. Bluegrass from Danny Paisley & Southern Grass starts it off, followed by the traditional sounds of Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth. Then, bluegrass phenomenon The Infamous Stringdusters hit the airwaves to set off some of their own musical fireworks.

Our Independence Day afternoon celebration culminates with something near and dear to WNCW's heart...the long-awaited broadcast of John Cowan, Pat Flynn and Darrell Scott, recorded live in performance at The Foundation Performing Arts Center right here in Spindale, NC (Hub of the Known Universe) on the campus of Isothermal Community College. Minton Sparks opened the program. For those of us (and, maybe even you) who were present that February night, you know what kind of magic took place inside The Foundation. The captivating spoken word artistry of Minton Sparks took the audience on journey after vivid journey through Southern landscapes and lifescapes with just her voice, her imagination, her accompanist (John Jackson) and her purse. Then, Cowan, Scott & Flynn - all virtuosos in their own rights - performed separately and together long into the night prompting ovation after ovation from the Spindale audience.

WNCW's own Audio Engineer Extraordinaire Dennis Jones captured and mixed it all from his hideaway just backstage and Senior Producer Kim Clark had the highly-enviable task of picking the very best from an outstanding evening of performances. You'll hear the results starting at 4PM, Friday, July 4th on WNCW and WNCW.org. Indeed...what a night! And WNCW takes you there!

So, fire up the grill, turn up the radio and celebrate Independence Day with your friends at WNCW!

And as always, tune in, turn on, but - especially this coming Friday - DON'T DROP OUT!

DEW