Motor City Sonics

Back in the 1990s when I was the Program Director of an alternative station called 92.1 The Edge in Lansing, I had a phone conversation with our consultant. While he was on hold he heard the Cranberries and Hole bqack-to-back. He absolutely flipped out. Why? Because I played two female vocalists back-to-back (I programmed the music). He was livid. I asked him if Dreams by the Cranberries was a hit. Yes. Is Doll Parts by Hole a hit. Yes. Then what's the problem and got furious and started saying some very insulting things to me. I'm not good at much, but I was a really good Music Director (I doubled as PD/MD). Another indication that rock radio was doomed because this consultant was a rock consultant and were an alternative station and he didn't get that listeners don't care about this stuff, not 90s listeners. Maybe it was big deal in the 70s when you had only Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson and Stevie Nicks (they didn't sound the same at all). He is the same kind of guy who told Sarah McLachlan that putting the Lilith Fair together would ruin her career. Sarah's probably still counting royalty money from that. Anyway, with International women's week coming up, Under The Radar Radio will, for the 3rd year, feature all female solo artists, all-female bands or bands with a female in a lead role (singer & writer). It's going to be a great playlist that won't sound any different than a normal show. There are a lot of women making some great music that don't look like some sort of Barbie doll. Pick of the Week is U.S. Girls new album Bless This Mess. It's a great album. We'll also have ne music from MIss Grit, Feist, Tennis, Caroline Rose, Momma, Ladytron, Boygenius and older songs from PJ Harvey, Jenny Lewis, Kate Bush, Bleached, Regina Spektor and more. 7 to 9 Sunday on annarbors107one.com (107.1) and thisisqmusic.com (94.5) in Grand Rapids.

I was told something by a rock programmer back in 1991. I asked why rock stations weren't playing "Girlfriend" by Matthew Sweet. It's a great power pop/rock song. It's loaded with hooks and it's got two blistering guitar solos. He flat out told me that Matthew Sweet LOOKED too nerdy to get played on rock radio. What? Who cares what he looks like. Just about the stupidest answer I'd ever heard and that's when I knew the genre wouldn't last. If they had gotten that superficial, then it's probably doomed.

People who throw groceries away when there is a power outage during a winter storm. Can't they just put the groceries in your garage or trunk of your car. A fridge is typically 35-40 degrees....most stuff will be fine. Take things that spoil and put them in a plastic bin with some snow in the bin.

Is she running just to be an Anti-Trump choice?

Elon Musk criticizes anyone who wants to take time off or take vacation time. This coming from a guy who can jet wherever he wants whenever he wants. No thanks, jackass. Time off is pretty awesome and I'll take all that is given to me. I'm done trying to impress people who don't give a shit about me. I wish I knew that 20/30 years ago. I think some are very angry towards gays because they're afraid that they might have some of those feelings and they have to overcompensate for it --- think Chris Cooper's character in American Beauty.

Happy people, in my estimation, tend to be people who are okay with where they're at and who they are and they aren't always chasing it. It's rare to see people like that in this country where it is burned into your brain that if you aren't constantly chasing more you are lazy. Angry people (and those vulnerable to conspiracy theories) are ones that just aren't getting all they want or think they deserve and by god it's GOT to be someone else's fault. And it is, but not the people they're pointing at. It's okay to want a little more, it's what keeps us going, but some people want everything and they want it right now. People like that are NEVER happy. Anyone who throws how much they have or has to show off what they have - is pretty much miserable - because someone will always have more.

It's like you get penalized for having a healthy year. I like the idea of it being put away because I likely will need it, and I might spend it on something stupid, but I just didn't go to the doctor much last year.. I need dental work, for sure and I will be getting foot surgery, so this year's amount will be long gone by September. It should just roll over, but we know who made the rules, right?

Well, if it's any consolation, Vrana had as many goals in 42 games as Wing as Mantha has in 106 as a Cap.

What happened to Jakub Vrana. He fell as quickly as Ned did.

This is what $400 of USE IT BY MIDNIGHT MARCH 1st OR LOSE IT FSA funds looks like. If I hadn't spent it, who gets it? It was not free money, it was taken out of my paycheks. It was my own money. Bit of a scam, eh?

I know. All the time. But according to our station's lawyers, we can be sued, even for saying it in passing. I think they are absolutely wrong on that, but don't you DARE ever tell a company lawyer they are wrong, you'll get buried in corporate emails about staying in your lane. I actually called and left a message with the legal department for the NCAA in Indianapolis asking for clarity on the issue. They have not called me back. We are partners with the NCAA because we broadcast their games, so I don't know why the stern warning about saying team names and words as controversial as Dribble, but I really want to know now. I mean, how can we have a deal with the NCAA on broadcast rights, but not be able to say these things on a station within not only the same company, but the same building. I don't like some corporate yahoo throwing the threat of termination at me for saying Dribble. I didn't like the condescending tone of it. It really pissed me off.

Blame it on people that seem to be happier than them. It's all they have. Acting in the exact opposite way they are "taught".

Pick & Choose Bible. If they really want to go down the road if "well the Bible says.........." then every single one of them has very likely done something that, according to the Bible, can have them put to death. I am pretty certain the many of them have worked, at least once, on a Sunday.

I don't even care anymore. I can't say "Michigan Wolverines" on the radio in Ann Arbor even though my company and the station down the hall broadcasts their games and is actually the flagship and UofM the biggest employer in the state and owns the most land in Ann Arbor - because I could be sued by the NCAA for violating their trademark. Now, would they sue me for talking about them playing a big game in passing (not promoting an event)? No, they wouldn't, but they could and that's enough for me to say to hell with the NCAA and anything they do. I won't talk about them anymore - in freaking Ann Arbor. So got.damn stupid.

I think an issue for Tork is that he might not have been ready last year in April and then they dropped him into the middle of a horrible lineup. I think they weighed on him quickly (would for anyone). Is the lineup better this year? Well, to be honest, could it be worse? Is it even possible? Not looking forward to Tyler Nevin-Laga at first, but Andre Lipcius seems to be a wild card right now. He rose quickly last year, having a nice spring so far and he can play everywhere. That OBP seems to be exactly what the Tigers need (if he can do anything close to that at the next level). He might be our new Harold Castro piece, but he actually takes pitches.

Not giving up on him, but I think making him earn it rather than just making it automatic might be good for him.

Should Spencer Torkelson automatically make the team for Opening Day?

Yeah, but she danced to a Phoenix song in college...............what a scandal !

DC absolutely should have 2 Senators. It's criminal that they don't. No rights !

I am not disappointed in the moves, but enough now with the gathering draft picks. Time to do something big next offseason and be in an absolute playoff run next year. We keep waiting and waiting and waiting (on all of our teams). Time to be bold.

you need two. Husso's been great this year, but I don't know if that continues long term.

Just saw that a Joe Montanta jersey sold for 1.2 million...........besting a Tom Brady record. I expect Brady to unretire with the Dolphins now.

But this is it. No more "but look what they have". Next year they have to make a big step forward or it's going to get hard to keep positive. They need to spend some cap money on the best goalie available. Time for the waiting to end.

No.

Wouldn't be shocked to see Bertuzzi go to Edmonton or Minnesota.