Jim Vinch was a Cleveland-raised classic rocker… until he moved to Oxford for college and caught the earliest years of 97X. Jim credits the station and its community of listeners with helping him be open not just to new music, but to new ideas. As he puts it, “I am now an assistant visiting professor at Miami and every time I step onto campus I can’t help think about how the university and the local radio station exploded my small little Midwestern world.” We talk to Jim about those connections, some concerts he saw back in the day, and his day job protecting America’s waterways as an environmental lawyer for the EPA.
Jim connected with us via email – here’s the wonderful note he sent to us:
Just finished listening to Episode 68 and, even though it was the shortest, it was by far the best. Doug and Linda’s thesis that 97X is still alive really resonated with me.
I graduated from Miami in 1984, and so only caught the very earliest years of WOXY. Having grown up on a fairly sheltered environment, college was an explosion of new ideas and experiences for me. Truly life changing in every way. I came to Miami as a rock fan mostly raised on the sounds of WMMS in Cleveland, Springsteen being the center of my musical universe. At Miami, I met friends from Chicago who exposed me to “new” music and I was immediately hooked. 97X, though, “set the hook.” It was about the music, but also much more.
My Miami friends tell me I should move on. “97X was 35 years ago” they say. However, 97X is a part of me. I cannot move on from it any more than I can move on from other important milestones in my life without giving up who I am.
I wish I had something as powerful to say as what as Jen L. shared with you. 97X might not have “saved me” but my life would not have have been as rich and vibrant if I didn’t have that experience—or worse— had I chosen to “move on” as my friends have suggest. In the grand scheme of things, 97X might not warrant a mention on my resume, but it’s as essential to who I am as any job held or degree earned.
I am now an assistant visiting professor at Miami this year and every time I step onto campus I can’t help think about how the university and the local radio station exploded my small little Midwestern world.
Thanks for what you do.
Jim Vinch
Please note that Jim isn’t just a run-of- the-mill visiting professor at Miami University, he’s a distinguished visiting professor:
As far as Dave and Damian are concerned, that puts him in great company:
Now that 30 billionaires have settled their differences with 700+ millionaires on how to divvy up the incoming millions, Major League Baseball is underway across America. Except in Cincinnati, where the roster consists mostly of players from the Reds’ minor league affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts, only now they’re wearing uniforms with less of a “Mr. Potato Head eyes” vibe.
That’s because the Reds, in the words of GM Nick Krall “must align our payroll with our resources.”
Don’t worry, though, this payroll reduction doesn’t affect list member Dan “The Reds – learn their names along with us!” Lewis, who is still being compensated quite handsomely for “HELPING PARTNERS ENGAGE/ACTIVATE WITH OUR FANS IN THE BALL PARK, ONLINE AT REDS.COM AND ON REDS ON RADIO.”
(We rarely use “quite handsomely” in the same sentence with “Dan Lewis” but in this case we mean Dan gets his pick of bobbleheads, and any leftover popcorn from concession stands. Score!)
Speaking of Herb Score, the Reds take the field Tuesday afternoon for their home opener against the Cleveland Indi…er, Guardians.
And after the game you can stick around downtown to see a live performance from a real rock star:
No, that’s not Queen’s Brian May, or REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, or the ghost of Ronnie James Dio… it’s noted curmudgeon Fran Lebowitz. She’ll be at the Aronoff on Tuesday evening.
I don’t often engage in hyperbole (except when talking about Dan “Moneyball” Lewis’ salary) so believe me when I say that this Wednesday is the Humping-est Hump Day ever!
It’s an embarrassment of musical riches:
Waxahatchee will be at the Woodward Theater with opener Madi Diaz – list member Joe Sampson and I will be there, with bells on.
Jack White plays the Jan Brady Music Center.
Jim Lauderdale is doing a solo gig at the Southgate.
Country Westerns will be at MOTR.
Penny & Sparrow are at Ludlow Garage.
Last, but certainly not least, the Taft hosts Baby Shark Live.
Speaking of Jack White and baseball, check out his version of the Star-Spangled Banner at the Detroit Tigers home opener:
We’re really digging Jack’s Papa Smurf-meets-Devo-plastic hairdo
On Thursday, Loudon Wainwright III plays Memoria Hall, much liked he played the M*A*S*H 4077 back in the day:
That same evening, Celtic Women play the Aronoff, and the Cincinnati Zoo’s “Tunes and Blooms” series features the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys.
On Friday:
Bill and the Belles play Southgate.
Hyryder (Grateful Dead tribute) plays Annie’s.
Keiko Matsui is at Ludlow Garage.
Local band Gentle Leader XIV opens for System Exclusive at a free show at MOTR. A member of Gentle Leader XIV works with list member Anne Robinson, and Anne encourages all of us to attend. And another “Gentle Leader 14” is willing to bet it’ll be a great show.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise plays the Ovation on Saturday, with The Brook & The Bluff as the opening band. Aronoff hosts Rain: a tribute to the Beatles. And Ludlow Garage has “Live at the Fillmore: the definitive original Allman Brothers Band tribute.”
Baseball season is also Festival season
Strong lineup for this year’s Bourbon & Beyond:
But it’s no match for the original Borbón:
New Tunes
This week, new albums came out from Lucius, Calexico, Wet Leg, Father John Misty, Jack White, Orville Peck, and Pillow Queens. And check out this delightful song from The Loyal Seas, which is Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses, Breeders and Belly – try to top that trifecta!) and Brian Sullivan:
Happy Trees Tripping
From this article on Dangerous Minds: A man named Alexander Reben has created the ultimate psychedelic Bob Ross artifact. It’s called Deeply Artificial Trees. According to Reben, “This artwork represents what it would be like for an AI to watch Bob Ross on LSD.”
Album Cover of the Week
Woody is also looking at two to four years in prison for invasion of privacy…
And finally, the song that’s been in your head since you read the headline of this post, if you’re an old-timer like me:
Former 97X/woxy.com DJ Barb Abney will be back on The Current in Minneapolis St. Paul this evening!
You’d be hard pressed to find a radio host more dedicated and more engaged with listeners than Barb. She was a fast friend to anyone who tuned in, at 97X, at woxy.com, at The Current, and at the other radio stations where she worked after being unceremoniously and undeservedly being let go at The Current back in 2015.
Barb spent nearly 10 years as the midday host on The Current before the rug was pulled out from under her.
We’re thrilled for Barb, and happy for The Current listeners – some of whom have already voiced their approval in the comments section of The Current’s announcement.
Seven years seems like a lifetime, and it’s clear from the comments that these listeners still feel such a strong connection with Barb. There’s no better testament to her dedication. And no better argument for why radio still matters.
Welp, list member Dale Doyle didn’t win a Grammy today. Then again, I’m pretty sure he was the only list member who was nominated. And you know what they say:
Congrats, D2 on your stunning work.
And if you’re wondering who did get the Grammy for best package design, it was:
Other Grammy winners include… I have no idea. You think I’m going to watch an awards show? Well, other than this one:
But unless it’s the Bono Awards, I’d much rather see a live concert!
Body parts — and the lack thereof — will be on display Tuesday. The Flaming Lips play the Bobby Brady Icon Music Center, with Heartless Bastards as the opener.
Bobby needed ice cream to cool his flaming lipsHeart surgically removed. Bastard intact.
Wednesday, The Minks plays Southgate House. This show is highly recommended by list member Jim Siegert, who has attended a gazillion concerts (conservative estimate), so he really knows shows like no one else. Here’s what he said about The Minks:
I saw them twice at AmericanaFest last September, and they’re awesome. Check out their YT channel when you have a chance. https://youtube.com/c/TheMinksss
Tommy Castro & the Painkillers play the Taft on Thursday. [These are over-the-counter Painkillers (active ingredient: killer chops) so no prescription is required. Side effects may include head-bobbing, toe-tapping, rockin’ pneumonia and boogie-woogie flu.]
The weekend will bring a deluge of shows.
Friday:
alt-J and Portugal. The Man and Cherry Glazerr play Ovation (I think it’s called “The weird punctuation and spelling tour.”)
The Louisiana Swamp Stomp, featuring The Iguanas and Kevin Gordon, rolls into Southgate’s main room (Sanctuary).
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience deals the tunes at the Hard Rock Casino.
Mike Farris and the Fortunate Few play Ludlow Garage.
Christian Nicholas Gough has a show in Southgate’s upstairs Revival Room, with Miranova and Closest Relative also on the bill. True story: my friend Art’s son Sam (who also is a member of the Cleveland Guardians roller derby team and a world-ranked pinball player) is playing bass with Miranova.
Saturday shows:
Jess Lamb headlines the Fountain Square Spring Music Series free show at… you guessed it… Fountain Square.
Baroness plays Southgate’s Revival Room.
Suzanne Santo plays the Taft Ballroom.
John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band plays Ludlow Garage (the Esquire Theater should do a matinee showing of Eddie and the Cruisers that day).
Next Sunday (April 10), Rise Against plays Ovation, and Ludlow Garage hosts Progject: The Ultimate Prog Rock Musical Experience. From the press bio:
ProgJect Features:
Michael Sadler (Saga) – Lead Vocals, Keys, Bass & Percussion Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard, Asia, Phil Collins, Chris Squire) – Keys & Vocals Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, The Zappa Band) – Guitar Matt Dorsey (Sound of Contact, In Continuum) – Bass, Pedals, Guitar, Keys & Vocals Jonathan Mover (GTR, Marillion, Satriani, The Tubes) – Drums, Percussion & Vocals
With a two-plus hour set that includes “Squonk”, “Firth Of Fifth”, “Cinema Show”, “Siberian Khatru”, “Roundabout”, “Heart Of The Sunrise”, “From The Beginning”, “Karn Evil 9 – 1st Impression”, “21st Century Schizoid Man”, “Lark’s Tongues In Aspic”, “Xanadu”, “Solsbury Hill”, “Money”, “Living In The Past”, “Rendezvous 6:02” and more… ProgJect is going to drop your jaw and blow your mind.
Hmm, didn’t know the guy from Saga had it in him.
But Series-ously, Folks
We mentioned a Fountain Square Spring Music Series gig – the full series lineup is here on CincyMusic.com.
And speaking of music series, Parlor & Patio is back! List members Jacqui and Dave Killen will once again be hosting shows in their Ft. Thomas home. Huzzah!
Their first two announced shows:
Friday, May 13: Ritt & Wilder Deitz (tickets on sale here)
The album overall has the feel of a late-period U2 album. Which doesn’t sound like a compliment, though I am genuinely impressed that they could make a record this unhorny. In that respect, The Getaway is genuinely subversive, a Chili Peppers record without a cucumber in its trousers.
Speaking of trouser cucumbers, Jason Isbell cracked me up with his comment on a poorly worded Stereogum headline:
Shameless self-promotion
List member Dave Tellmann and I continue to crank out top-quality slapdash episodes of the “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast, garnering worldwide acclaim comments of “oh, that’s nice” from our spouses. (We’re currently #27 on the list of “Top Podcasts to Fold Laundry to.”) The most recent episodes are a two-parter (like a “very special episode” of Punky Brewster, only with less pigtails) with former station manager Jay Batista, who, along with Steve Stenken, helped flip the format of WOXY to modern rock. Part 1 of our chat with Jay is here, and Part Deux is here.
Album Cover of the Week
The unpicturesque field… the uncomfortable pose… the lack of a tight focus on the subject… but all is forgiven because the Cousin Eddie shoes match the fence.
The second part of our conversation with Jay Batista, who helped WOXY-FM make the transition to the 97X we all know and love. Jay was the station manager, was involved in programming, did sales, and also knew how to whip an ancient transmitter into shape. In this episode, we hear about Dr. Demento, an “Army of Ticks” (not a Dr. Demento song, but it could be!) and the infamous “Beer or Buns” guerilla promotion for the station.
And he wrote a chapter of The Media Workflow Puzzle, a non-fiction book that provides a comprehensive look at the entire media workflow from start to finish.
Jay is an accomplished acrylic collage artist as well.
Another week, myriad opportunities to check out live music.
On Monday, Nektar is at Ludlow Garage. That’s a Brit prog rock band that’s been around since 1969. And the name is pronounced like “nectar”… although it’d be cooler if it were “Neck-Tar”… and it came from the instrument that was the ill-fated, banned-due-to-choking hazard follow-up to the Keytar.
Where was I? Oh, that’s right, gigs. Also on Monday, Relient K plays Bogart’s. (The “K” stands for Keytar!)
On Tuesday, Colin Hay (of Men at Work) comes all the way from the Land Down Under to the Peter Brady Icon Music Center, creating a magical marriage between vegemite sandwiches and pork chops & applesauce.
That same evening, Greta Van Zeppelin… I mean Led Fleet… I mean Greta Van Fleet, plays the Coliseum, creating a magical marriage of a band that reeks of the 70s and an arena that reeks of the 70s.
Also on Tuesday, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia play Southgate.
Sylmar plays MOTR on Wednesday – it’s an 8 p.m. ticketed ($12 advance) show. And finger-style guitarist Yasmin Williams is at Ludlow Garage.
Thursday, Ludlow Garage has Church of Cash. It’s a tribute to Johnny Cash, not Kash Amburgy… although I’d be fine with either.
Friday is April Fools’ Day.
Celebrate with some Negative-Calorie Cookies and Tree Frog Beer… or just get sad that a formerly progressive radio station is now a parody of itself.
That evening, Johnnyswim plays the Ovation. The band features the marriage (literally) of Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano. Amanda is the daughter of Donna Summer, so she probably grew up around keytars.
Also on Friday:
Kishi Bashi is at the Madison Theater
The Wooks play Southgate’s Revival Room
Rumpke Mountain Boys kick off a two-night stand at the old Annie’s
EXTC plays Ludlow Garage. EXTC features Terry Chambers (drummer for XTC) plus Steve Tilling (vocals, guitar, ex-TC&I, the band of XTC’s Colin Moulding and Terry Chambers), Steve Hampton (guitar, vocals) and Matt Hughes (bass, vocals).
Saturday shows:
Shawn Colvin is at Memorial Hall, and she’ll be playing her brilliant 1989 debut Steady On acoustically, along with other favorites.
Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle/The Harmed Brothers have a nice twin bill show at Southgate in the Revival Room.
Rumpke Mountain Boys are back at Annie’s.
The Ben Levin Blues Band plays Ghost Baby
The Yugos play a free show at MOTR.
On Sunday, list member Dale Doyle just might win a Grammy in the Best Recording Package for his artwork/design on Matt Berninger’s solo album Serpentine Prison.
They should’ve used a keytar image
Even though Dale’s work should be feted during the evening telecast, he’s not a teenage pop songstress (at least he wasn’t the last time we checked his…er, recording package…). So you’ll have to tune in to the afternoon event where more than three-quarters of the 86 winners will be announced. The live stream will start at 3:30 EDT and will be available on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel as well as on the website live.grammy.com.
After Dale picks up his hardware, Ben Levin has a 6:30 show at Schwartz’s Point, the cool jazz club in OTR. The building’s been around since about 1870, and a keytar has never darkened its doorway.
Motherfolk is at Top Cats — yes Top Cats — on Sunday.
R.I.P. Taylor Hawkins
New tunes
Here’s a fun new song from Lucius:
Grant-Lee Phillips always delivers:
Digging the new one from Soccer Mommy too:
Old tunes
Gospel great Sister Rosetta Tharpe, born on March 20th, 1915 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, was as rockin’ as any rock star. Here she is just shredding on a 1965 gospel TV show:
https://youtu.be/cyrQJVxP6Ec?t=28
Album Cover of the Week
We heard that Bob was a fan of The Kinks. Or something like that.
Spring has officially arrived… meaning we should only have four more snow days before May. But the gigs are popping up like crocuses. (Sorry, no gigs from Krokus though. Guess you’ll have to settle for their “Live at Wacken” album.)
Krokus fans and Wacken – they go together
Graham Nash rambles into Memorial Hall on Tuesday for “An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories.” Graham’s 80 now, so I don’t know how “intimate” we want to get with him… that’s a hard pass even for Joni Mitchell.
“I’m not wearing any pants! (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Meanwhile Thao (of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down fame) plays the Woodward with her band (which may or may not be the Get Down Stay Down…). Becca Mancari and Why Bonnie open the show.
Urkel will not stay down
On Wednesday, David Ramirez plays Ludlow Garage, with TWILM favorite Caroline Spence as the opener.
Thursday’s gigs:
Dark Star Orchestra plays Ovation
The Other Favorites are at Southgate
Ben Levin is at Shire’s Garden
The Red Hot Chili PIPERS play Ludlow (so no Flea… also no fly, because they wear kilts)
Freekbass and the Bump Assembly hit Ludlow on Friday for FunKISSdelic – a Funkadelic/KISS mash-up.
Oops, wrong KISS mash-up.
That same evening, the equally funky Combo Chimbita plays Northside Tavern.
On Saturday, Todd Snider plays Madison Theater, and əkoostik hookah is playing the old Annie’s. That’s an indoor show – the better to smell the Hookah.
Sunday is the perfect day for Holy F*ck to play Madison Live. More for the “Holy” part than the… well, you know.
Ticketbastard!
Faithful readers of This Week in Live Music (all three of you) already know how much I despise Ticketmaster. John Oliver just add more heat to my already-boiling blood:
Listen to this!
Here’s a nice half-hour interview with Michael Stipe on World Cafe:
Watch this!
Sly Stone in a halter top… with a super-tight band… and, at the seven-minute mark, a dancer who is a dead ringer for Roger from What’s Happening!!? Yes please!
Jay Batista joined 97X before it was 97X… it was more like a real-life WKRP with “odd personnel and wacky programming.” Jay played a pivotal role in helping the station make the switch to the modern rock format. We talk to him about those formative days, going from spinning the Spinners to hanging with the Talking Heads, and he shares what he learned from station owners Doug and Linda Balogh.
Jay used his Masters in Broadcast Management at 97X… and he uses his English degree to this day, as an author specializing in Fantasy, Historical Fantasy and Adventure novels. In 2019, he published the first of his Forerunner Saga novels, following the lives, loves, tragedies and successes of the Agneson clan in England and Scandinavia circa 890.
Jay’s novel Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse was a Bronze Medal winner in the 2021 International Book Awards and also the recipient of the 2021 Bronze Medal for Young Adult Fantasy novels from The Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
A true renaissance man, Jay also is an accomplished acrylic collage artist, represented by galleries in the East and Midwestern US. Learn more about Jay on his website.
Top o’ the evening to ya. Can you believe how late it stayed light tonight? Other than the car wrecks, Daylight Saving Time is the best.
Actually I wrecked trying to change the car clock while driving.
Speaking of car wrecks, congrats to my beloved Xavier Musketeers for backing into the NIT like Jim Rockford eluding the bad guys.
That’s OK, though, I’m sure the entire Tri-State will get behind the… Wright State Raiders?
Their mascot name is Raiders and their mascot is a wolf. Makes sense.
OK, enough sporty-sports talk, let’s get to the music:
Monday, Little Feat’s Waiting for Columbus tour comes to the Taft, with opener Ida Mae. And Rob Schneider’s daughter (Elle King) plays Bogart’s.
Talent skips a generation
Sammy Rae & Friends play Memorial Hall on Tuesday
Wednesday, Manchester Orchestra plays Ovation, and Sam Bush is at Ludlow Garage.
Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day – here’s a public service announcement:
List member Howard Cohen recommends this particular brew:
If you’re looking for tunes that evening, Ludlow Garage is hosting An Evening with J.D. Souther – all the hits, some of the stories.
Friday, 10,000 Maniacs will be at Ludlow, and Jukebox the Ghost plays Taft.
Saturday is a Jethro night.
Martin Barre from Jethro Tull will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Aqualung with a show at Memorial Hall. And David Sanborn will sax up Ludlow Garage.
New tunes
A live version of a new tune from Lucius… goosebumps!
Cincy’s own Afghan Whigs have a rockin’ new tune out:
And The National’s Matt Berninger does guest vocals on a new tune from TWILM favorite Caroline Spence – mighty fine!
(If you haven’t checked out Caroline’s 2019 album Mint Condition, do so posthaste. It’s fantastic.)
Art about artists from an artist
Michael Wilson, acclaimed Cincinnati-based photographer, collaborated on a new body of work with the Visionaries + Voices community. His process, using a 4×5 format camera led to a series of intimate black and white portraits of artists with the possessions they hold most dear.
During his distinguished career Michael has worked with the likes of B.B. King, David Byrne, Robert Plant, Aaron Neville, Bill Frisell, Doc Watson, and Dr. John. See Cherished at V+V’s Northside gallery this spring to learn why Michael is known widely as a master storyteller. The exhibit runs through the end of April at the Visionaries + Voices Northside Gallery, M-F, 10a-4p.
Album Cover of the Week
We’re really diggin’ the main font… and Bob’s disco shirt, of course… but the secondary font is nearly illegible.
So this week’s rundown of gigs ’round town will be short and sweet. Like a ketchup packet.
But without the high fructose corn syrup.
Tomorrow night, Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays Memorial Hall.
Sam Weber is at Southgate on Wednesday.
Thursday, Gangstagrass will be wafting into the Ludlow Garage.
Flying Underground and Paige Beller play a free show at MOTR, and The Way Down Wanderers are at Southgate.
On Friday, Billy Strings kicks off two nights of shows at the Cindy Brady Icon Music Center. List member Michael Orzali will be there both nights. That sort of devotion explains why both gigs are sold out.
Also on Friday:
Kasim Sultan’s Utopia plays Ludlow Garage.
Angela Perley and Megan Wren are at Southgate
Shiner plays the Woodward Theater
Mol Sullivan and Carriers are at MOTR
Ben Levin plays Dead Low Brewing with special guest Lil’ Jimmy Reed
Saturday is Yolo time… wait, check that, it’s Yola.
She’s at the Taft.
Also on Saturday:
All Them Witches play the Woodward.
You know Gladys Kravitz will be at that gig.
Billy Strings is back at the Jan Brady Icon Music Center
Ace Frehley of KISS plays the Lawrenceburg Event Center
This Pine Box headlines a three-band bill (Thomas & the Work-men, Street Limes) at MOTR
Ben Levin and Lil’ Jimmy Reed shift to Lucius Q
McGuffey Lane is at the Ovation
New Edition is at the Coliseum… I think the last time they were actually a NEW edition was when these guys were around:
On Sunday, The Regrettes play the Taft Ballroom, with Kississippi as the opener… that’s a nice double bill. That same evening, Henry Rollins is at Bogart’s (it’s a spoken word tour) and comedian John Mulaney does his thing at the Coliseum.
And if you’re an early riser, you can catch Ben Levin & Lil’ Jimmy Reed at the Hard Rock Casino at 10:30 a.m. That’s Eastern Daylight Time… ‘cuz we spring forward in the wee small hours of the morning.
The forecast calls for more shows
The summer scene is heating up. Recently announced shows include Death Cab for Cutie, Bright Eyes, Blondie (with The Damned!), Lumineers, The Chicks (with Patty Griffin!) and Idles. Also, RiversEDGE in scenic Hamilton will be hosting David Shaw’s two-day Big River Get Down:
Shameless Self-Promotion
We mentioned Lucius Q earlier in this post. Aaron Sharpe, that dining establishment’s co-owner, was a longtime staffer at WNKU-FM… and he’s the latest interview victim subject in the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast. Check it out here.
Dueling Album Covers of the Week
We’re diggin’ the 50s TV show vibe of Teresa, but Vivienne!! has a great 70s TV commercial style. I bet she soaked her nails in Palmolive.
