When I haven’t been working or cracking the college e-books, I’ve been trying to get Project42Radio.com ready for the June 30 launch date.  I’m doing it all myself — music, website, publicity — it’s taking all my time.  Maybe that’s why I can’t seem to think of anything else to write.

Earlier, I tried to start listing every song in the Project 42 library.  There are thousands of songs there; it would take me way too long to do it.  So, instead, I’ll start listing the artists you’ll hear.  Some of them have several songs on the playlist, while others have just one. Remember that the station will feature songs from my lifespan (1966-on), so there will be some acts you’ll likely gag on.  But, if you’re a pop music junkie like me, there may be some you will enjoy…and some that may surprise you, I dunno.

Due to my database limitations, the lists are alphabetized by first name.  If you can’t handle that, you should get out more.

Here are the artists representing the letter “A”…

• A-ha
• ABBA
• ABC
• AC/DC
• Aaron Neville
• Abra Moore
• Ace
• Ace Of Base
• Adam Ant
• Aerosmith
• Afrika Bambaataa
• Afro Celt Sound System
• After 7
• After the Fire
• Aimee Mann
• Al B. Sure
• Al Green
• Al Stewart
• Al Wilson
• Alabama
• Alan Jackson
• Alan Parsons Project
• Alana Davis
• Alanis Morissette
• Alannah Myles
• Aldo Nova
• Ali Thomson
• Alice Cooper
• Alicia Bridges
• Alicia Keys
• Alien Ant Farm
• All-American Rejects
• Allison Moorer
• Allman Brothers Band
• Alphaville
• Altered Images
• Ambrosia
• America
• Amii Stewart
• Andrew Gold
• Andru Donalds
• Anggun
• Anita Ward
• Anna Nalick
• Annie Lennox
• April Wine
• Arcadia
• Archie Bell & The Drells
• Aretha Franklin
• Arrested Development
• Arthur Brown
• Arthur Conley
• Asia
• Atlanta Rhythm Section
• Audioslave
• Augustana
• Autograph
• Average White Band
• Avion
• Avril Lavigne
• Aztec Camera

One letter down.  25 to go.

This is the Project 42 library, from A to Z…

A Better Love – Londonbeat

A Change Would Do You Good – Sheryl Crow

A Fifth Of Beethoven – Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band

A Fine, Fine Day – Tony Carey

A Girl Like You – Edwyn Collins

A Girl Like You – The Smithereens (not the same as above)

A Life Of Illusion – Joe Walsh

A Little Respect – Erasure

A Long December – Counting Crows

A Matter Of Trust – Billy Joel

(more to come…)

It turns out my most-read post is the Friday Flashback featuring “Der Kommisar”.

I don’t think it’s my best work, but I won’t complain (yeah, right).  I suppose folks looking for song lyrics stumbled upon it (Thank you, Google).  If you stayed around to read anything else after that, thanks.

All this does have a lesson:  If I want more readers, I need to use song lyrics in every stinking post title from now on.  I could start with “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald”.  That song alone would supply me with titles for months.  They don’t even have to be remotely related to the post, as long as I get more eyeballs on this page. (Eww.)  As the lady sings:

Everything’s cool as long as I’m getting thinner

Yes, I’ll even drop lyrics in the post.  I’m shameless.

Oops, I did it again.

Someone stop me…

…but I’m having trouble with that. I found out an old friend from B-town (where I last worked in radio) has been promoted to editor of the local newspaper. He’s good, and he deserves it.

Also in that article is information about the radio station’s new morning DJ. At the least, they finally got smart enough to put a local voice on the air again.

I just wish it was me. Yes, I’m jealous. I admit it. I shouldn’t be, but I am. I’ve never met the guy, he may be a great person. But reading about it has made me realize I still hold a grudge over being shown the door. It’s been almost two years now. I need to let it go. Help me let it go, God.

In these few days following the death of Paul Harvey, I don’t only feel sad, but I feel older.  His radio broadcasts have been a part of my life since I was ten years old, and his passing helps remind me that I’m not a kid anymore.

The first time I heard him on the radio, I was intrigued. Most newsmen I’d heard on the air did their level best to deliver the news with a level, almost deadpan, delivery.  Paul was different.  He always sounded excited.  No matter what he was reporting — the day’s headlines, new discoveries in science, or just recognizing long-lived marriages — he sounded excited.  Even in his latter days, when his health was failing, that excitement was still there.

He was also the first newsman I noticed that added his own opinions on the news.  You could say he was the pioneer of conservative talk radio.  Paul Harvey wasn’t like his followers, though.  While many of today’s talk show hosts seem like they’re always angry, Paul stated his opinion but didn’t beat you over the head with it.  His tone was one learned from his heartland upbringing:  direct, but friendly and never condescending.

Some were critical of the way Harvey integrated commericals with the news.  I instead believe that the way he almost seamlessly put the two together was a testament to both his oratorical skills and writing.  Paul wrote every word that he said on his program, including the commercials.  He coined or made popular words like “skyjacking”, “Reaganomics” and “guesstimate”.   And, yes, he did use pauses you could sometimes drive a truck through.

I don’t think we’ll hear the likes of Paul Harvey on radio soon, if ever.  The folksy, Midwestern voice has been replaced by the screeches of rhetoric and outrage from both sides of the political aisle.  There have been several great radio talents who have helped to fill in for Harvey when he’s been ill, especially lately.  While they all have their strong points, none of them have the ability to connect with the entire country the way that Paul could.

ABC Radio is taking the time where Paul would have been broadcasting this week to present a tribute to him.  If you ever wanted to know more about the man who told us “the rest of the story”, give them a listen.  They’re also available online at paulharvey.com.

…and as a result, I lost the nifty-keen header my buddy JBall made for me.  Sorry, man.

The first time I played Simply Red’s “Money’s Too Tight To Mention” on the radio, it was the summer of 1986, and our area was in a bad economic slowdown.  The price of oil had dropped tremendously, and my town, which relied so much on the oil industry, took a big hit.

The song wasn’t a big hit nationally, but in our part of the world, we could relate.   Over twenty years later, we’re back in the same leaky boat.

My buddy Jeff posted this meme at his blog, and since I’m a total copycat, let’s do the same.

I typed in the phrase “Don needs” in my Google box, and here are the top responses….

Don needs a car. Actually, I’m good. But thanks for thinking about me.

Don needs to be shirtless again. No, I don’t.  Trust me.  There are some things never meant for human eyes.

Don needs a comic. “Action Comics #1″ would be nice.  Or how about my adventures as Captain Whitebread, written by Mark Waid and drawn by George Perez.  That would be sweet!

Don needs the proper setting. Hawaii.

Don needs a way to power his computer, monitor, etc. It’s true. I’m down to my last hamster.

Don needs help in school. My grades are good.  What do they know that I don’t?

Don needs help! As if that isn’t evident already.

Don needs firewood. Uh….no.

Don needs more prayers. That’s always true.

This is what Don needs to get for his girlfriend! How about getting me a girlfriend first?

Give us music, we can use it

We need to dance

We don’t have the time

For psychological romance

“Word Up” – Cameo

“Hyperactive!” – Thomas Dolby

“(Just Like) Romeo And Juliet” – The Reflections

“Freeze Frame” – J. Geils Band

“One Nation Under A Groove” – Funkadelic

“American Woman” – Lenny Kravitz

“Words” – Missing Persons

“Hollywood Swinging” – Kool & The Gang

“Mr. Bartender (It’s So Easy)” – Sugar Ray

“Little Willie” – Sweet

“Magic” – Pilot

“No More Words” – Berlin