Hey Charlie, Thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You know I'm a big fan so I really appreciate it.
When did you start your podcast and how did it come about?
Uncleshag's Longtown Sound has been coming to folks emails, browsers and RSS feed readers daily since April 2005.
Uncleshag's roots are deep in webcasts through various forums and websites since September 11, 2001. What started as a long distance music dedication from a military wife to her husband/soldier overseas has blossomed into a thirty minute affair with 100,000 listeners every week. The shows are and have always been free to download.
When putting a show together, how do you decide on the songs to use? Does your current mood have any factor in your decision?
Perhaps you have seen the phrase, "Uncleshag's ear-picked tunage". That's what I do, Diane. If I like it, I include it. If I really like the artists work I go in search of more. Since I listen to music, in the fore and background most all of the time, even while sleeping, I plan ahead to include music in theme type shows. At times, one must really reach to discover just what theme a show conveys. My mood affects everything I do. As does my caffeine intake. Lack of/too much sleep. Smells also affect me. Fortunately, at my age my moods are fairly stable. I seldom seek fresh meat on Thursday any longer.
How do you find new artists and what criteria do you use in deciding whether you think your audience will be receptive or not?
Word of mouth is always my best source. A few folks are known as "Official Order of the Longtown Earpickers", others just comment in emails or the comments section following the podnotes of every podcast. Then there's PMN and Garageband, Sonic EPK's and of course the artist's profiles on MySpace.com. Labels and publicity outlets serve in adding quality artists to the Longtown Sound and WLSO.FM playlist.
How did you "stumble upon" Bo Bice?
Most folks don't know this, but I never saw or watched American Idol. I just haven't watched ANY TV since Nov. 2004. Oh, a snippet here and there of news or old movies I hear in the background on a kitchen set playing too way loudly. No, I went searching in Garageband.com for Southern Rock and there was SugarMoney and a few songs. The frontman/vocalist was a long haired fella named Bo Bice. "Papion" was first featured in March and April of 2005.
Do you agree that Bo Bice fans are the best fans out there??? (Sorry, couldn't stop myself from asking!)
By far, Bo Bice fans are the most vocal whether by phone, vote or MySpace comments/messages, emails (galore) Facebook, and many assorted forums and a multitude of blogs. Bo Bice fans today are yesterday's Dead Heads in strength and devotion. Unbelievable.
Do you play any instruments?
Guitar, piano/keyboards, mouthharp washboard and kazoo.
When did you start playing and what drew you to that instrument?
I really loved the piano first but guitar was for me. I guess what drew me to it was the fact that I could carry a guitar. I had the rock band, ZAFFER (It's mine, Dave Barry, so sorry.) at age fourteen and we sucked like most bands did in our towns and communities, but folks felt sorry for us and kept asking us to come and play, so we never stopped. Then I got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout, and when love fizzled after three kids, I wandered down to Jacksonville, Florida where there were 24 hour DRIVE THROUGH LIQUOR outlets! JAX, just like Mickey D's! There I met a group that would become Lynyrd Skynyrd wanting to be the house band of a little dive off the Arlington Expressway. The bartender asked me what I thought and I said, "Yeah, give 'em a shot." She said, "Good, I gave 'em your spot on Thursday nights." I left Florida for Spartanburg, SC, sure that I had done the right thing as my lone 12 string James Taylor/John Denver rip off act just wasn't pleasing the biker bar/mushroom slurping crowd like it once did. I guess the novelty wore off. Or, the mushrooms did.
If you could instantly know how to play one instrument, which would it be and why?
Accordion. Why? Polka, of course.
Favorite group?
Favorite all time - The Beatles
60's? Dave Clark Five, Led Zeppelin
70's Marshall Tucker/Moody Blues, The Outlaws (Waylon, Willie, Jesse Coulter and Tom Paul Glaser.)
80's Alabama and lots more since.
No rap in da mix, funny ain't it.
Favorite singer?
For limitless talent, superb timing, matchless vocals and longevity, the one and only Tony Bennett.
Favorite song?
Jackson Brown - "Doctor My Eyes".
Every time I hear the opening, my head turns like I am going to see something and I never do.
It's all in my head.
I'm good at...
Chess, bowling, basketball, golf and body art. At once.
I'm very bad at...
Bear wrestling.
A common misperception of me is....
Probably that I like people. Really, I wish I could be less shy and more outgoing.
It's just not in my nature, I suppose.
One other misconception is...
that I got to be where I am by sleeping with the boss. Well, that is the Truth. Just sayin'.
Unc on MySpace
~Diane~
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