Sunday, November 23, 2008

Posters for Upcoming Shows




Both of these were created by the talented Kathy Wade.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! See you out on the town.

--Easy Ed




Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Routine Maintenance/River Gods Tomorrow Night (11/19)

“Easy Ed’s Variety Hour” is in the shop for routine maintenance. (The show was long overdue for a patter change and a rotation rotation.) Thus there will be no broadcast this week. I’ll be back on November 28, the day after Thanksgiving, with a lot of upbeat rockin’ and boppin’ numbers to help you work off the gravy and stuffin’.

In the unlikely event that you really need to hear a show this week, you can check out one of the archived broadcasts at http://www.easy-ed.net/.

In other news:

Tomorrow night, November 19, I will be DJing live at River Gods in Cambridge as part of their ongoing Primitive Sounds series. I want to thank Jason Beek, P.J. Eastman, and the good folks at River Gods for the invitation. Please stop by! The music starts at 9:00 PM.

125 River St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-1881

On November 26 (Thanksgiving eve) don’t miss the exciting battle-of-the-bands grudge rematch between the Cranktones and the Coachmen at the Midway. I will be spinning from a safe distance before the bout and between rounds.

http://www.midwaycafe.com/

December 6: You’re invited to a guitar party at the Midway with Eddie Angel’s Guitar Party, Boston’s own Fathoms Trio, and DJ Easy Ed. No need to RSVP. Just come on out for some rip-roarin’ fun!


December 22: There's gonna be a great big holiday show at TT the Bears in Cambridge, starring Marti Brom, Rocky Velvet, and Dana Stewart's brand new jump blues band. Yours truly will be spinning as well. This promises to be a fantastic evening of entertainment.


I want to thank everyone who came out to the Eric Laufer benefit at the Midway last Saturday night. The show was a great success and we were able to raise a good sum of money to pass along to Eric’s family. Thank you to all the bands, who worked really hard to put on a fantastic show; everyone who generously donated items for the raffle; the Midway CafĂ©, for hosting the event; and everyone who came to the show. Thank you all!!

www.myspace.com/christmasrockn39rollodyssey

--DJ Easy Ed

Monday, October 13, 2008

Rockabilly Rave USA +

Hi, everyone.

First the "plus" part. Once again I want to thank J.P. McDermott and Western Bop for stopping by WMFO on 9/26 to perform live on my show. If you missed it, the archive MP3 is available for download at http://www.easy-ed.net/.



I'll be DJing at the Beehive again this coming Wednesday as part of Cow Island Music's latest Honky Tonk night. Two great bands are on the bill: The Coachmen (a.k.a., the mini Spurs) and the Sacred Shakers. The music starts at 8:00. The first band goes on at 9:00. Hope to see you there!

http://www.myspace.com/cowislandmusic http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJlZWhpdmVib3N0b24uY29tLw==http://sacredshakers.com/http://sacredshakers.com/




Now, the Rave USA (in brief): Overall it was a great festival. The list of bands and DJs was impressive (and they did not disappoint).

Bands and performers:

Jack Earls
Carl Mann
Billy Lee Riley
Hayden Thompson
Sonny Burgess
Jack Rabbit Slim
Big Sandy And The Fly Rite Boys
Hi Q's
Luis And The Wildfires
Wildfire Willie And The Ramblers
Deke Dickerson And The Eccofonics
Buck Stevens
The Barnstompers
Charlie Thompson
Miss Mary Ann & The Ragtime Wranglers
Omar & The Stringpoppers
The Horton Brothers

DJs:

Jerry Chatabox
Cosmic Keith
Little Carl
Tom Ingram
Topper
Boppin Bud
James

We arrived on 10/1 in the middle of the day. Even with the direct flight, we were a bit beat from the long journey; we missed the Wild Records showcase down at the Ice House. On Friday, though, we were ready to go. The Orleans is a pretty good choice for this event. It has more room than the Gold Coast and people (attendance was about five hundred people I'd guess) were able to move around the hotel pretty easily. (Things could be a bit tight for Viva Las Vegas if they use the same set up though.)

The good parts:

  • Great bands! Great weekend all around.

  • DJ Cosmic Keith's sets were excellent. He mixed in less-well-known stuff with the classics. I also thought Tom Ingram's set stood out.

  • Emcee Del Villarreal was a surprise, last-minute addition.

  • Excellent sound, lighting, scheduling, ticket check in, etc. It's easy to take that stuff for granted, but the organizers did a very professional job all around.

  • Not getting whacked by a beer-soaked stuffed penguin during the Hi-Q's set.

The few negatives:


  • Audience support for the bands should have been stronger: half-hearted applause, people hanging around outside the ballroom talking while the bands were on--all very bad. A lot of folks didn't seem to realize how great the musical feast before them was. (The Foghorn Leghorn line "You gotta be a magician to hold a kid's attention for more than ten seconds these days" kept popping into my head.)

  • Smoke: Walking through the smoking area (or, as Deke Dickerson referred to it, the "Philip Morris research facility") outside the ballroom probably took six months off my life (but hopefully the music had a restorative effect).


Charlie Thompson is a class act! In addition to putting on a great set, he started off by dedicating his entire performance to the memory of Eric Laufer of the Two-Timin' Three (and Four). I picked up his new 45 (below). Charlie said a new album is in the works.






I'll have more to add to this later.

As always, thanks for your interest.

--Easy Ed!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

New Time Slot/J.P. McDermott and Western Bop


Hey, everyone.


Just a quick note to let you know that the time slot for "Easy Ed's Variety Hour" has changed. I'm still on alternating Friday evenings, but the show now airs from 7:00 to 9:00 instead of 6:00 to 8:00.


You can still listen through iTunes (radio/public/WMFO) and you can still get MP3s of archived shows from http://www.easy-ed.net/. In fact, everything--right down to the deep scratches on those Autry Inman 45s--is the same except for the one hour start time difference.


Next show: This Friday (9/26) at 7:00. Tune in and catch a live, in-studio performance by J.P. McDermott and Western Bop (http://www.westernbop.com/) right before their live show at the Plough and Stars in Cambridge (http://www.ploughandstars.com/). Don't miss it!



As always, thanks for listening.


Easy Ed

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Cool Upcoming Shows


Hey, folks.

Here are some cool events for your calendars. Hope to see you out on the town!

This F
riday (9/19) don't miss Rocky Velvet at the Plough and Stars in Cambridge.











Also at the Plough (9/26) be sure to catch J.P. McDermott and Western Bop (www.westernbop.com), and tune in to “Easy Ed’s Variety Hour” at 7:00 PM that same evening to hear their exclusive live radio performance. These rockabilly troubadours from Washington D.C. are coming to Boston for a rare club performance and they’re gonna rock the rafters at WMFO too!

"MASTERS OF RED-HOT ROCKABILLY AND ROWDY HONKY TONK"
~ Richard Harrington, The Washington Post










On 10/4, be sure to grab the front pew at Church for this one:























On 10/15: The Coachmen, The Sacred Shakers, and DJ Easy Ed are at the Beehive in Boston for Cow Island Music's second Honky Tonk Hoedown!






Sunday, September 14, 2008

Today's Music Notes (and Half Notes)

Hi, everyone.

It's a rainy Sunday here in Boston, but a little rain is nothing. I keep thinking about those poor folks in Texas who might just be losing everything they own to storms right now. My fingers are crossed for them, although the news is already bad. I hope it doesn't get any worse.

But I'm here to write about music, so I'll do that now.

WMFO will roll out their official fall radio calendar shortly. There's a chance my show's timeslot will change slightly, but I believe I'll remain on the air Friday evenings. More news on that coming soon. The archive MP3 of the 9/12 edition of Easy Ed's Variety Hour is available for download now at http://www.easy-ed.net/. The playlist is also there.

I started this week's show with a tribute to Eric Laufer of the Two Timin' Three (and Two Timin' Four). Eric died on September 3 in Austin, Texas, when his motorcycle was struck by another vehicle. Eric was a special person--talented, hardworking, in love with music. His death is a huge loss. My condolences go out to his friends, his family, and all who knew him and his music.


Johnny Carlevale and I are working on a benefit concert for Eric's family, which is scheduled to take place on November 15 at the Midway Cafe in Boston. Many bands have expressed interest in taking part. I'll share additional details as plans are finalized.

On May 25, 2007, The Two Timin' Four played live on my show. It was a memorable performance. I reposted an MP3 of it at www.easy-ed.net.
J. Austin Duke is a rockabilly DJ and graphic artist who lives in England. He posts great podcasts that listeners to my show would surely dig. Check out jaustinduke.podOmatic.com to hear them, and also check out Duke's myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/rockabillydukebox .

On September 10 I had a fun time DJing at the Beehive in Boston (http://www.beehiveboston.com/) as part of their first Honky Tonk Hoedown, presented by Cow Island Music (http://www.cowislandmusic.com/). I started very early (7:00!), and pretty much played classic country early on: Carl Smith, Loretta Lynn, Cowboy Copas, Buck Owens, Webb Pierce. The Beehive normally doesn't have country music, so there was some head scratching for sure. But everyone had a good time. Some got up and danced in a small space at the back of the room (a cobblestone dance floor--it's an old building) and there was some seat boppin' going on over at the bar. I also played new music from The Dixons (http://www.myspace.com/thedixonshonkytonk ) and Boston's own Coachmen. (Note that the Spurs, http://www.myspace.com/spursofboston, the larger band that includes all members of the Coachmen, have a Midway gig on September 26.)

Boogie Woogie Piano man Preacher Jack (http://www.myspace.com/thepreacherjack) went on at 8:00 and got a great reception. I really enjoyed his set, especially his Jerry Lee numbers toward the end of his hour.




I played another set before Girl Howdy (http://www.myspace.com/girlhowdyband) took the stage. Mercy! This band has played in Boston a couple of times, but I never had a chance to see them before this. They honky-tonked the night away and had the whole room up and movin'. Go see them when they come your way!



The next Cow Island Honky Tonk night will take place at the Beehive on 10/15. I've been asked to DJ that night as well. The bands will be the Coachmen and The Sacred Shakers ( http://www.myspace.com/sacredshakers).

On September 26, J.P. McDermott and Western Bop from Maryland(http://www.myspace.com/jpmcdermottandwesternbop) come to town for an extremely rare (as in, it may never happen again type rare) show at the Plough and Stars (http://www.ploughandstars.com/). That same evening they'll perform live on my show, Easy Ed's Variety Hour.

Also coming up at the Plough on 9/19: Rocky Velvet (http://www.myspace.com/rockyvelvet). That is cause to rejoice, folks! RV is the best, and I guarantee you a good time if you head on out for that show. I'll be the big boppin' goomer in the front taking up all the space. See you there!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Eric Laufer of The Two Timin' Three (and Four)

I was shocked to learn today that Eric Laufer of the Two Timin' Three died last night in a motorcycle accident. Eric was a friend, and I am a big fan of his band. My thoughts go out to all of his friends and family.

On May 25, 2007, the Two Timin' Four played live on my radio show. Although the studio conditions were primitive, they gave a fine performance.

I just reposted an MP3 of it at www.easy-ed.net.

DJ Easy Ed

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Last Night's Radio Show/Alvis/Exciting Stuff Coming Up



At the bottom of this blog is a list of what I played on the air last night (8/22). If you missed the broadcast the MP3 will be available for download (free) at www.easy-ed.net later this weekend.

Right after the show I zipped (as much as one possibly can zip in Boston traffic) down to the Midway for the first of the two Alvis shows.




I was running late but managed to get my DJ stuff set up in time to get going at 9:30. Lots of fun, and it was great to see so many familiar faces, in the band and audience. It felt a little like a Cranktones show circa '96! The "I Like Alvis" pins designed by Kathy W. were a hit.


The Midway was packed and boppin' by the time Alvis took the stage at 11:00. The FTW Band, clad in white and donning "FTW" lightning bolt necklaces, was fantastic. I was happy to see Vic from Boston Rockabilly Music Conspiracy playing keyboards. My good buddy Stan (Cranktones, Spurs) was on drums. In addition to bass brillance, Jimmy from Rocky Velvet is a master of disguise: His Jerry Schiff tribute costume actually scared the hell out of me. Billy Coover was perfect on guitar and the horn section was great. The Nutri-Sweet Sensations sounded great, were obviously having a blast, and were fun to watch. As for Alvis himself, I'm having a rib cage hangover today. I have not laughed myself into literal pain in a long, long time. His personal security guards (Sonny and Red) helped keep hysterical females from bringing the show to a halt during the sweaty scarf distribution ceremonies.


I got home at 2:30 (earlier than predicted), and the whole thing repeats itself tonight.


Scobiwan had his cameras going, so I hope some of this will be captured for youtube. I'll keep you posted on that.


This past Wednesday I was DJing at River Gods in Cambridge with P.J. Eastman. A very different kind of night, but what a great time. That little club has a very special atmosphere that I can't adequately capture in writing. It's dark and cozy and consistently welcoming. Both P.J. and Jason play great stuff. I'd be there every Wednesday (if I didn't work every Thursday bright and early). That said, River God Wednesdays are a night out worth losing sleep over.


We're really looking forward to the Red Hot and Blue Festival in Montreal next weekend.




Rockabilly, dancing, great bands--that's for me!


Bill Hunt from Cow Island Records emailed me a preview track by the Dixons (see the picture in this blog) and I played in on last night's show.






The song is "Please Don't Stop Lovin' Me" and it's top-shelf honky tonk. I hope the new record will also include "Lonesome Side of Me." That's the first one I heard by them and it continues to blow the top of my head off every time I play it. These guys will be at Church in Boston on 10/4 for the Cow Island record showcase. The Swinedells--another band that's on my mind a lot--will also play that night, along with Preacher Jack. (One of the last records I played at the Midway last night was "Who Will The Next Fool Be" by Charlie Rich. The Swinedells do it as an R&B ballad. Amazing.)

Also great to see Laika & the Cosmonauts will be here in October, also at Church in Boston. I liked that club better when it was The Linwood and had lots of cigarette butts ground out on the linoleum, but if Church will keep getting good shows on the schedule I'll have good reason to get nominally reverent.

--Easy Ed


The Roundup Boys "Whirlwind Mary" from Various: Perfect for Parties, Vol. 2 on Rhythm Bomb Records — www.myspace.com/theroundupboys


The Rollin' Pins "Madi Jane" from That's Life on Ropin' Records — www.MySpace.com/johnnycarlevaleandtherollin39pins


Ray Harris "Green Back Dollar (alternate take)" from Various: Essential Sun Rockabillies, Vol. 5 on Charly Records


Gene Vincent "Dance to The Bop" from Various: The Big D Jamboree Live, Vols. 1 and 2 on Dragon Street Records


The Bourbonaires "Too Much Trouble" from A Shot of Bourbonaires on Howlin' Records — See the Swinedells at Church in Boston, 10/4


The Shake Em Ups "Broken Heart" from Various: The Wildest on Wild Records


The Dave and Deke Combo "Moonshine" from There's Nothing Like an Old Hillbilly on There's Nothing Like an Old Hillbilly — www.myspace.com/daveanddekecombo


Billy Starr "Hound Dog" from Various: Gravy Train on El Toro Records


Slim Sandy "Flathead Ford" from Rough & Ready on Sleazy Records — http://www.slimsandy.com/


Jimmy and Walter "Easy" from Various: A Sun Blues Collection on Rhino Records — Background/ambient


Clarence Green and The Rhythmaires "Crazy Strings" from Various: Texas Music, Vol. 1 on Rhino Records — Background/ambient


The Texas Truoubadours "Honey Fingers" from Ernest Tubb's Fabulous Texas Truoubadours on Decca LP — Background/ambient


The Dixons "Please Don't Stop Lovin' Me" from Please Don't Stop Lovin' Me — A preview track from their forthcoming LP on Cow Island Music. See the Dixons at Church in Boston on 10/4. www.myspace.com/thedixonshonkytonk


Bob Gallion "I Want Her Blues" from Out of a Honky Tonk on Bear Family Records — MGM Records 1957


The Delmore Brothers "Mobile Boogie" from Freight Train Boogie on Ace Records


The Miller Sisters "Someday You Will Pay" from Various: Defrost Your Heart: Sun Country, Vol. 1 on AVI


Don Helms "Big News" from Various: Nashville Steel Guitar on Starday Records — Don Helms (February 28, 1927 - August 11, 2008) was a steel guitarist best known as a member of Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys group.He was featured on over 100 Hank Williams recordings.


Bill Browning "Down in The Holler Where Sally Lives" from Various: Texas Gold: The Starday Story, Vol. 3 on Texas Gold


Gene O'Quin "(You're Gonna Have to Stop) That Low Down Running Around" from Gene O'Quin: Boogie Woogie Fever on Bear Family — Capitol Records 1950


Jack Hardy and The Ranch Boys "Oh Babe!" from Various: Gravy Train on El Toro Records
The Swift Jewel Cowboys "Bug Scuffle" from Various: Western Swing: Hot Hilbilly Jazz and Blues on Living Era — Background/ambient


Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys "Blue Bonnet Rag" from San Antonio Rose on Bear Family Records — Background/ambient


Luke McDaniel "Go Ahead Baby" from Various: That'll Flat Git It! Vol. 16 on Bear Family Records — Sun Records 1957 (originally unissued)


Ray Anthony "Hambone" from Various: Sun Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 1 on Charly Records


Glen Honeycutt "Rock All Night" from Various: Rock Boppin' Baby: Sun Rockabilly, Vol. 3 on AVI Records — Sun Records 1956 (originally unissued)


Charlie Rich "Break Up" from Various: Rock! Rock! Rock! on Mojo — Phillips International 1960
Ronny Lofton & the Damangos "El Diablo" from Various: Strictly Instrumental, Vol. 6 on Buffalo Bop — Background/ambient


Bernie Moore "Rock, Guitar, Rock" from Various: Strictly Instrumental, Vol. 6 on Buffalo Bop — Background/ambient


The Royals "Are You Forgetting" from Various: Jiving Jamboree, Vol. 3 on Ace Records — Federal Records 1952


Ella Mae Morse "Yes, Yes I Do" from Razzle Dazzle on Rev-Ola


Lil Millet "Rock Around The Clock" from Various: Jiving Jamboree, Vol. 2 on Ace Records


Lee Allen "Boppin' at The Hop" from Various: Bump, Jump, Jive on Lucky Records


Bobby Comstock "Jealous Fool" from Various: Rock And Roll Dance Party, Vol. 2 on RRDP


Billy Boyd "Diggin' The Blues" from Jerry Cole: Hot Rod Twangin' on Ace Records — Background/ambient


Sil Austin "I'm Back" from Everything's Shakin' on Mercury LP — Background/ambient


Bloodshot Bill "Hide 'n' Seek" from Trashy Greasy Rockin' Billy on Flying Saucer Records — http://www.bloodshotbill.com/


Kenny Parton & the Jones Boys "Jump, Wiggle And Shake" from Various: Kicksville! Vol. 3 on Norton Records


Gene Summers "Nervous" from School of Rock and Roll on Collector Records


Wanda Jackson "Hard Headed Woman" from Wanda Jackson: Right or Wrong on Bear Family — Capitol Records 1961


Mike Waggoner & the Bops "Guitar Man" from Various: Speed Crazy on Speed Records


Sleepy LaBeef "Ride On Josephine" from Various: Hot Rod Rumble on Buffalo Bop — See Sleepy LaBeef at Red Hot and Blue next weekend! http://www.rockabillyjam.com/


The Champs "Turnpike/The Rattler" from The Champs: The Early Singles on Ace Records — Background/ambient


Laika & the Cosmonauts "Zunami" from Zero Gravity on Upstart Records — Coming to Church with Los Straitjackets, 10/28


Laika & the Cosmonauts "Six Seconds in Dallas" from Instruments of Terror on Upstart Records — http://www.laikaandthecosmonauts.com/


Los Straitjackets "Beach Bag" from Supersonic Guitars in 3-D on Yep Roc Records — http://www.straitjackets.com/


The Sadies "The Side Track" from Tales of the Rat Fink Original Soundtrack on Yep Roc Records — http://www.thesadies.net/


The Rumblers "It's a Gas" from Various: Surf Legends (And Rumors) on Garland — Background/ambient


The Flatfoot Shakers "Boppin' All The Time" from High Heeled Lovin' Machine on Tagalong Records — www.myspace.com/flatfootshakers


Los Straitjackets "Perfidia" from Play Favorites on Yep Roc Private Stock

Friday, August 15, 2008

Tonight's Show (8/15/08)

Hi, listeners.
Here's what I played on tonight's show. If you missed it and would like to check out this episode just go to http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmVhc3ktZWQubmV0 later this weekend and the archive will be posted there.
Thanks!

--Easy Ed

The Stillmen "I'm Gonna Be Gone" from All Hopped Up on Star Tone Records — www.startonerecords.com/stillmen.html

Jackie Lee Cochran "Pity Me" from Various: Teen-Age Mafia on Buffalo Bop — Spry Records 1958

Rocky Velvet "Oh Oh" from Built Like a RockIt Came From Cropseyville! on RVM — Coming to the Plough and Stars 9/19!/www.myspace.com/rockyvelvet

Johnny Powers "Rock Rock" from Various: Rockabilly Rarities, Vol. 4 on Yeaah! — Fox Records 1957

Charlie Gracie "Crazy Girl" from Fabulous on Park Records — Cameo Records 1958

The Farmer Boys "My Baby Done Left Me" from Various: That'll Flat Git It! Vol. 3 on Bear Family Records — Capitol Records 1956

Bobby Wayne "Sally Ann" from Various: Hang Loose on Buffalo Bop — LJV Records (date unknown)

Jack Rabbit Slim "Wild Wild Party" from Sleaze-a-Billy! on Western Star — www.myspace.com/jackrabbitslimuk

Jack Scott "Flakey John" from Baby She's Gone on Castle Music — Groove Records 1965

The Original Twisters "Camptown Races" from Come On and Twist on Mercury LP — Background/ambient

The Exotics "Exotics' Twist" from Go Go Guitars on Tiki Tone Records — Background/ambient
Carl Sonny Leyland "Wine, Women, and Song" from I'm Wise on Hightone Records — www.carlsonnyleyland.com

Lefty Frizzell "When Payday Comes Around" from Life's Like Poetry on Bear Family Records
Al Terry "Roughneck Blues" from Hickory's Cajun Hillbilly on Ace Records — Hickory Records 1956

Bud Isaacs "Sweet and Hot" from Bud's Bounce on Bear Family Records

Pee Wee King "Oh Monah" from Pee Wee King and His Golden West Playboys Pee Wee King and His Golden West Playboys on Bear Family Records — 1948

The Cornell Hurd Band "I Don't Care What it Is That You Did When You Lived in Ft. Worth" from Cool and Unusual Punishment on Behemoth Records — www.cornellhurdband.com

The Outlaws "Valley of The Sioux" from Various: Vampires, Cowboys, Spacemen, and Spooks: The Very Best of Joe Meek's Instrumentals on Castle Music — Background/ambient

The Ramblin' Valley Boys "Guitar Hop" from Various: Rockabilly Hoodlums, Vol. 2 on Collector Records — Background/ambient

The Planet Rockers "Big Daddy" from 100% Tennessee Rock & Roll on No Hit Records — www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udii_XAcx6k&feature=related

The Rockin' 8-Balls "Tell It Like It Is" from Like It Like That on Goofin' Records — www.myspace.com/rockin8balls

Warren Smith "Red Cadillac and a Black Mustache" from Warren Smith: Classic Recordings on Bear Family Records — Sun Records 1957 (originally unissued)

Gene Ross "Everybod's Trying to Kiss My Baby" from Various: That'll Flat Git It! Vol. 16 on Bear Family Records — I don't have a date on that Sun Records, unissued. MAN what a cool record!

Jerry Lee Lewis "Don't Be Cruel" from Various: Hail to The King! on Mojo — Sun Records 1957

Link Wray "Heartbreak Hotel" from White Lightning: The Lost Cadence Sessions '58 on Sundazed — Background/ambient

Billy Adams "Return Of The All American Boy" from Rockin' Thru The Years 1955-2002 on Castle Music — Nau-Voo Records 1959

Elvis Presley "I Beg of You" from The Complete '50s Masters on RCA — RCA Records 1957

The Hunt Sisters "Elvis Is Rockin' Again" from Various: Ultra Rare Fortune and Hi-Q on Chief Records — Fortune Records 1960

Elvis Presley "King of The Whole Wide World" from Various: The Last Temptation of Elvis on New Musical Express — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSPU1tMx8sw

Frankie Carle "Kissin' Cousins" from 12 Double-Barreled Hits of '64 on RCA LP — Background/ambient

Big Al Sears "Tweedle Dee" from Sear-iously on Bear Family Records — Background/ambient

Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" from Walk 'Em on Ace RecordsDecca Records 1949 — Decca Records 1949

Johnny Otis "New Orleans Shuffle" from Midnight at the Barrelhouse on JSP Records — Savoy Records 1950

Jay Hawkins "What That Is" from Various: Cheesecake Red Hot Rhythm on Cheesecake Records

Annisteen Allen "Bongo Boogie" from Various: The R&B Years 1953 on Boulevard Vintage — King Records 1951

The 5 Royales "Too Much Lovin'" from Various: The R&B Years 1953 on Boulevard Vintage — Apollo Records 1953

The Tunetoppers "Madison Jam" from The Tunetoppers at The Madison Dance Party on Amy Records — Background/ambient

Joe Clay "Slipping Out And Sneaking In" from Get Hot Or Go Home: Vintage RCA Rockabilly '56-'59 on Country Music Foundation Records — Vik Records 1956 (originally unissued)

Sleepy LaBeef "Baby Let's Play House" from Let's Turn Back The Years on Eagle Records — 1956 (originally unissued)

The Hi-Q's "Wiggle Walking Baby" from Hop And Bop on Self-Released CD — www.myspace.com/thehiqs

The Honeybees "Leave My Kitten Alone" from Hive Jive on El Toro Records — www.myspace.com/thehoneybees

The Wild Wax Combo "Big Bad Boogie" from Ready to Go on Enviken Records — www.wildwaxcombo.dk

Eddie Clendening "Ice Cold Baby" from The Rage Of The Teen-Age on Wormtone Records — www.myspace.com/eddieclendening

Buddy and Ella Johnson "Go Ahead And Rock" from Go Ahead And Rock And Roll on Collectables Records — Background/ambient

The Rhythm Tones "Baby Sue" from Baby Sue

Los Straitjackets "Last Date" from Play Favorites on Yep Roc Private Stock — Background/ambient

Connie Dycus "Rock-A-Bye Baby Rock" from Various: That'll Flat Git It! , Vol.11 on Bear Family Records — Mercury Records 1958

The Nitecaps "Sassy Frug" from The Frug on Forum Records LP

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Upcoming Radio + Live Events

Hey, folks.

Roll your radio dial (or browser window) over the WMFO this Friday at 6:00 PM and catch “Easy Ed’s Variety Hour”—two whompin’/rtompin’/stompin’ hours of rockabilly, hillbilly, R&B, and rock ‘n’ roll!

**Where: WMFO in Medford, MA (91.5 FM). Listen live through iTunes (Radio/Public/WMFO) or the station's Web site (www.wmfo.org)

**When: Friday (8/15) at 6:00 PM Eastern.

Can't tune in while the show is airing? Just go to

www.easy-ed.net

and download MP3s of past shows from there (gratis).

The playlist from my last show appears at the end of this message.

In other news:

--On August 20 I will be DJing live at River Gods in Cambridge as part of their ongoing Primitive Sounds series. I want to thank Jason Beek, P.J. Eastman, and the folks at River Gods for the invitation. Please stop by! The music starts at 9:00 PM.

http://www.rivergodsonline.com/

--August 22 and 23: For two nights only, ALVIS (!!) returns to the Midway CafĂ© in Jamaica Plain. You read that correctly, folks. The mysterious Alvis, backed by the F.T.W Band and the Nutri-Sweet Sensations, rejoins the world of the living for the first time in eight years. Who knows when he’ll be back—don’t miss it! See the Midway’s page for details and advance ticket purchase information. (Alvis summoned me to DJ, so you’ll definitely see and hear me there!)

http://www.midwaycafe.com/our/calendar


--August 28-31: Check out the Red Hot and Blue Festival in Montreal, featuring Sleepy LaBeef, Ace Brown and His Ohio Valley Boys, the Roy Kay Trio, Nate Gibson and the Gashouse Gang, the Honeybees, Miss Wolff's Jiving School, and more!

http://www.rockabillyjam.com/71/red_hot_and_blue_rockabilly_weekend_2008.rockabilly

Keep boppin’!
--DJ Easy Ed


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Here’s the playlist from the 8/1/2008 edition of Easy Ed’s Variety Hour. We started a bit early with some instrumentals and twisters before officially kicking it off with one of the greatest songs ever, “That's The Way I Feel” by Jimmy Pritchett!

To download archived shows just go to www.easy-ed.net. Thanks!

Aki Aleong and His Teen Twenty “Hully Gully” from C'mon Baby Let's Dance SINGLE (Reprise)

The Candymen “Stand Around, Move Around” from Let's Twist SINGLE (Diplomat Records)

Duane Eddy “Walkin 'n' Twistin'” from Twistin' 'n' Twangin' SINGLE (RCA Records)

Jules Blatner “Liszt Twist” from Teen Town SINGLE (Hydra Records)

Los Straightjackets “Isn't Love Grand” from Twist Party with Los Straitjackets SINGLE (Yep Roc Records)

King Curtis and The Noble Knights “The Monkey Shout” from Soul Twist: The Complete Enjoy Sessions CD ALBUM (Charly)

Wild Jimmy Spruill “Scratch 'N Twist” (Night Train International)

Paul Williams “The Twister” from Various: Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock and Roll SINGLE (Past Perfect)

Jimmy Pritchett “That's The Way I Feel” from Various: 30 Historic Rockabilly Classics (Spin Records) — Crystal Records 1958

Jerry Lee Lewis “Good Rockin' Tonight” from Classic Jerry Lee Lewis CD ALBUM (Bear Family Records) — Sun Records 1959 (originally unissued)

The Star Mountain Dreamers “This Boy Likes to Rock” from Rhythm, Feelin, & Phrasin CD ALBUM (Rhythm Bomb Records) — www.myspace.com/thestarmountaindreamers

The Rollin' Pins “Love Sick Spell” from That's Life (Ropin' Records) — www.MySpace.com/johnnycarlevaleandtherollin39pins

Benny Cliff “Shake Um Up Rock” from Various: Get Your Kicks (Big Mike's Records) — Drift Records 1958

Ricky Nelson “Lonesome Town” from The Best of Rick Nelson (EMI) — Imperial Records 1958

Rock Rogers “That Ain't It” from Various: The Starday Story, Vol. 1 (Texas Gold) — Starday Records 1956

The Flatfoot Shakers “Louisiana Mama” from Many Sides of The Flatfoot Shakers (Rhythm Bomb Records) — www.myspace.com/flatfootshakers

Lonesome Lee “Cry Over Me” from Various: Hang Loose CD COMP (Buffalo Bop) — Bandera Records 1959

Sandy Nelson “Drum Stomp” from Let There Be Drums/Drums Are My Beat (Collectables Records) — Background/ambient

Joe Houston “Dig” from Surf Rockin' (Crown Records LP) — Background/ambient

Paul Ansell's Number Nine “Greenback Dollar” from Live At Sun (Rayn Records) — www.myspace.com/paulansellofficial

Johnny Horton “She Knows Why” from The Essential Johnny Horton: 1956-1960 CD COMP (columbia/legacy) — Columbia Records 1957

Charlie Thompson “Judy” from The Rockin' Side Of Charlie Thompson (Tail Records) — www.charlie-thompson.com/music4_main.html

Darrin Stout “Rollin' Down The Highway” from Darrin Stout & The Starlighters (Self-Released) — http://home.earthlink.net/~kyskim/home.html

Dick Stubbs “Wired for Sound” from Various: Nashville Steel Guitar LP ALBUM (Starday Records) — Background/ambient

Eddie Mcmullen's Sleepy Valley Five “Eddie's Steel Guitar Boogie” from Various: Slew Foot Boppin' Billies (Collector Records) — Background/ambient

The Cordwood Draggers “Beady Lil' Eyes” from A Good Ol' Country Jamboree (Rhythm Bomb Records) — www.myspace.com/cordwooddraggers

Faron Young “Hello Walls” from Live Fast, Love Hard CD COMP (Country Music Foundation Records) — Capitol Records 1961

Buck Owens “Save The Last Dance for Me” from Act Naturally SINGLE (Bear Family Records) — Capitol Records 1963

The Three Notes “I've Been Thinking It Over” from Various: Baby Doll CD (Buffalo Bop Records)

Johnny Cash “Hey Good Lookin'” from The Man In Black 1954-1958 (Bear Family Records) — Sun Records 1957 (originally unreleased)

The Dave & Deke Combo “I'm Just Too Lazy” from Moonshine Melodies (No Hit Records) — www.myspace.com/daveanddekecombo

Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys “Liebestraum” from San Antonio Rose CD COMP (Bear Family Records) — Background/ambient

The Du-Droppers “Come on And Love Me” from Boot 'Em Up (Acrobat Music) — Red Robin 1953

Fats Domino “Your Cheatin' Heart” from They Call Me the Fat Man (EMI) — Imperial Records 1961

Hank Ballard and The Midnighters “Keep On Dancing” from Dancin' and Twistin' (Ace Records) — King Records 1961

James Brown “There Must Be a Reason” from James Brown: Roots of a Revolution (Polydor)

Bo Diddley “Whoa Mule (Shine)” from Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger (Chess Records)

Joe Houston “Corn Bread and Cabbage Greens” from Rock and Roll with Joe Houston LP ALBUM (Tops LP) — Mercury Records 1951

Etta James “What'd I Say” from Various: Night Train to Nashville (lost highway)

King Curtis and The Noble Knights “Twistin' Time” from Soul Twist: The Complete Enjoy Sessions CD ALBUM (Charly) — Background/ambient

Deacon and The Rock 'n' Rollers “I Don't Wanna Leave” from Various: Desperate Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 1 (Flame) — Nau-Voo Records 1959

The Rock-A-Bops “Susanne” from Wild Child (Tail Records) — www.myspace.com/rockabops

Billy Harlan “I Wanna Bop” from Various: That'll Flat Git It!, Vol. 2 (Bear Family Records) — Decca Records 1958

Gene Vincent “Jezebel” from The Road Is Rocky CD COMP (Bear Family Records) — Capitol Records 1956

Gene Casey and The Lone Sharks “Bad Baby” from What Happened (Lone Shark Records) — www.myspace.com/lonesharks

Benny Joy “Rollin' to The Jukebox Rock” from Crash the Rockabilly Party CD ALBUM (Ace Records) — Tri-Dec Records 1957 (originally unissued)

Jan and Arnie “Gas Money” from Various: Hot Rod Gang (Buffalo Bop) — Arwin Records

The Ree-Gents “Downshiftin'” from Various: Strictly Instrumental, Vol. 1 (Buffalo Bop) — Background/ambient

The Deuce Coupes “Candy Apple Blue” from Various: Del-Fi Hotrodders CD COMP (Collector's Choice Music) — Background/ambient

Ace Brown and His Ohio Valley Boys “She Wants What She Wants (When She Wants IT)” from n/a SINGLE (N/A) — ww.myspace.com/acebrownovb

Ric Cartey “Scratchin on My Screen” from Various: Speed Crazy SINGLE (Speed Records) — NRC 1958

Dick Lory “Ballroom Baby” from Various: She's Neat SINGLE (Pan-American Recordings) — Dot Records 1956

The Starfires “Linda” from Various: Speed Crazy SINGLE (Speed Records) — G.I. Records 1965

Buddy Holly “Words of Love” from Buddy Holly--From The Original Master Tapes SINGLE (MCA) — Coral Records 1957

Al Casey “Indian Love Call” from Cookin' CD ALBUM (Sundazed Music) — Background/ambient

Duane Eddy & the Rebels “Because They're Young” from Various: Rock Instrumental Classics, Vol. 2 (Rhino Records) — Background/ambient

The Strangeloves “Night Time” from Various: Nuggets (Rhino Records) — London 1965

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Green Bay Rockin' 50s Festival


Hi, everyone.


I need your help. Please sign an online petition to save the Rockin' Fifties Festival held in Green Bay Wisconsin. Festivals of this kind are vital to the rockin' and roots music scene in the U.S. I've been told that the organizers of this event "might" do it again if enough interest is show. Even if you don't plan to attend the event (and I urge you to if it is held--just go to the event link below and check out the pictures from last time!) please sign the petition as a way of showing support for the bands and music fans who greatly benefit from this landmark music festival.


Thanks for your help!


DJ Easy Ed



Event info:


"The third Rockin' Fifties Fest., held at the Oneida Casino which is located on land belonging to the Oneida tribe in Wisconsin...", "... has simply to be the ultimate rock 'n' roll festival ever held to date. With... over 150 acts with the associated 700 musicians performing, this was the Magic Kingdom of rock 'n' roll. Indeed, it was like discovering the equivalent of the Holy Grail." --Tony Wilkinson June 10, 2007
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmFjdGlvbnBhY2tlZGV2ZW50cy5jb20vT25laWRhJTIwRmVzdCUyMDIwMDcuaHRt

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Requests?



Listeners, potential listeners, friends, countrymen, country folk, fellow hillbillies, rockers, and boppers:




Thanks for checking out this blog! I've got a new episode of Easy Ed's Variety Hour coming up this Friday (8/15/08) and I'm happy to play your requests. Send 'em along to dj_easy_ed@yahoo.com.



If the show is new to you, I play hillbilly, rockabilly, and 50s/early 60s R&B and rock 'n' roll. Here's a link to my last playlist if you want to get a better idea of what I like and play.



http://spinitron.com/public/index.php?station=wmfo&month=Aug&year=2008&plid=7465


The show airs in the Boston area on 91.5 FM, but we also broadcast worldwide via the Internet. You can connect through wmfo.org or iTunes (Radio/Public/WMFO).



I play lots of vintage music, but also like many current bands. I continue to be impressed by all the great new rockin' music that's coming along every week.



This very moment I'm listening (repeatedly) to "My Baby Done Left Me" by the Farmer Boys
(Capitol Records 1956) and thinking it would be a great one to play early at a record hop to get folks up and jiving!



Anyway, catch you soon!



DJ Easy Ed

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Welcome to my blog! Check out my latest show here.