Melodies & Memories February 2011

Something for everyone ? Melodies & Memories tries to do just that in a sweeping survey of popular music recorded over the past one-hundred years; from the sweet to the stolid, from the melodious to the minimalist, from bubblegum to bluegrass and beyond. The program has provided me a great amount of joy and personal satisfaction for the past ten years that I’ve been presenting it. Rarely does a day go by that I don’t learn some interesting news to pass on to you.

It is my privilege to report on the cultural icons of popular music including artists, theatrical impresarios and recording studio founders, as well as some of the persons behind the scenes whose names are not as commonly heard. I enjoy reviewing the great accomplishments of past and present times for Melodies & Memories, but it is my particular pleasure to present a nuance to a notable personality or a peculiar detail to a story often told.

When asked to write something for this web page I was somewhat uncomfortable, so I decided to approach it in the way that felt most natural; as a sort of open letter to Melodies & Memories listeners. Above anything, I value the encouragement I’ve had and hope it continues for years to come. Perhaps through this new method of communication which at first confounded me, I’ll find another invaluable resource to make Melodies & Memories even better.

Melodies & Memories listeners come from every walk and stock. They are bus drivers, bakers, bank and hotel employees, retirees, housewives, students, Cardinals, foreign embassy workers and diplomats. Each time I hear from one of them, I am ever more encouraged to continue down my decided path; to bring you a daily live program of good music and inspiring stories.