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A career retrospective of and interview with “Big” Al Anderson was featured on the Dec. 7 edition of Greasy Tracks.

Click here to listen to an archive of the show, while a playlist is here.

An Annual Rite: Jim Chapdelanie (left) and Big Al Anderson perform at Cave Nine in New Haven during a July 2019 appearance with The Floor Models. (Tom Kaszuba photo)‏

The Windsor native and former member of the renowned Wildweeds and NRBQ, plays Infinity Hall in Norfolk (Dec. 27) and Hartford (Dec. 28) with The Floor Models in what has become an annual tradition as the Nashville-based Anderson returns to his roots. Anderson’s ex-mates NRBQ play Infinity Norfolk on Dec. 31.

A founding member of The Wildweeds — who formed in 1966 and released a handful of singles, scoring a regional hit with the Anderson-penned “No Good To Cry” — Anderson joined NRBQ in 1971 and would remain with the band until 1993 in what was the most creative and successful period for “The Q”.

In his post-NRBQ days, Anderson moved to Nashville and blossomed as a songwriter, leaning heavily on country styles and supplying material for hundreds of artists.

While Anderson does annual Connecticut gigs with The Floor Models — featuring guitarist Jim Chapdelanie, drummer Lorne Entress and bassist Paul Kochanski — he also plays with Nashville-based The World Famous Headliners..

The annual WRTC fundraising marathon concluded Nov. 9.

Those who pledged should expect to receive a form in the mail with instructions on how and where to send their donation.

“Thank You” premiums are slated to be sent in December.

The staff and management of WRTC is grateful for the generosity of our dedicated listeners who have supported us year after year.

The bulk of our financial assistance has traditionally come from our listeners and, more than ever, we rely on their backing to keep us on the air doing what we do best.

As the non-commercial radio station of Trinity College, we offer a diverse schedule of nearly 70 programs. Aside from engineering services provided by the college, we’re an all-volunteer organization

We use listener donations to continually improve our ability to bring quality, community-based radio, 24-hours-a-day, 365 days a year to our listeners.

Donations, tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law, are always accepted, either by check — made out to “Trustees of Trinity College” — and mailed to WRTC Marathon, 300 Summit St., Hartford, CT 06106, or by credit card via the secure Trinity College website by clicking this link ==> Donate to WRTC where card information can be entered in the form. Select “Other” and then indicate “WRTC” for  donation. Donors also have an option to use PayPal® via this site.

For more information, or to make a pledge, contact the station at 860-297-2450.

An interview with vocalist Fee Waybill and the music of The Tubes was featured on the Nov. 30 edition of Greasy Tracks.

Click here to listen to an archive of the show, while a playlist is here.

The Tubes return to Infinity Hall in Hartford on Dec. 13 where they will be performing their 1981 chart-friendly release The Completion Backwards Principle in its entirety as well as a variety of tracks from throughout their career.

In addition to Waybill, three other original members of the band remain in the line-up, including guitarist Roger Steen, bassist Rick Anderson and drummer Prairie Prince.

The Nov. 20 edition of the Boris Rock Show featured an interview with The Feelies.

The New Jersey-based band formed in 1976 and although without a label, began to draw a following. In 1978, The Village Voice named them “The Best Unsigned Band In New York.” By 1980 they had signed with Stiff Records and released their debut, Crazy Rhythms.

While sales of the album were unimpressive, it was met with a critical thumb’s up. Then-lead vocalist Richard Reilly was compared to a Velvet Underground-era Lou Reed.

There was a turnover in the line-up shortly after their first album came out, leading to a six-year hiatus, but following a reformation and opening slot on a tour with REM. This would lead to REM guitarist Peter Buck producing their next album, The Good Earth which many consider a masterpiece.

In 1988 they would be on A&M where they released a pair of albums, Only Life (1988) and Time for a Witness (1991), but it was also the time the band by chance linked up with Reed. Backing their hero for an impromptu 20-minute performance at legendary Long Island rock radio station WLIR’s Christmas party, led to them opening during Reed’s tour to support the release of New York.

Following their 1991 release, the band again when dormant, but would play occasional gigs due to popular demand. Their cult following would allow them to record two albums for Bar None Records Here Before (2011) and In Between (2017).

The current line-up includes Glenn Mercer and Bill Million on guitars;
drummer Dave Weckerman; bassist Brenda Sauter; and percusiojnist
Stan Demeski.

An interview with Nathan Carter was featured on the Nov. 18 edition of Bantam Backroads as hosts Alex and Maura spotlighted music from across his career, including tracks from his just-released Irish Heartland (Sharpe Music).

Click here to listen to archives of the program.

Carter plays The Bushnell on Nov. 21 with Chloë Agnew supporting.

According to Carter, the 18-track Irish Heartland – his 10th studio release – is his first true folk project and includes guest appearances by The High Kings, Finbar Furey & Cherish the Ladies and the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra.

While there’s no mistaking the influences of North American Country music on him, pigeonholing Carter’s unique style of music can be challenging, especially to U.S. audiences. Thus the genre Country and Irish – think of Irish musical styles colliding with Nashville – is the category where Carter has become one of the brightest stars, including five No. 1 releases on the Irish Album Charts.

A multi-instrumentalist — he is adept on accordion, guitar and piano – Carter won the All Ireland Title for Traditional Singing at the age of 10.

On his current tour, Carter fronts a six-piece band, including lead guitarist John Pettifer; the rhythm section of Gareth Lowry (drums) and Carl Harvey (bass); John Byrne on keyboards, saxophone, flute and whistles; Ciaran O’Malley on guitar and banjo and Niall Murphy on flute, mandolin and guitar.

The annual WRTC fundraising marathon concluded Nov. 9.

Those who pledged should expect to receive a form in the mail with instructions on how and where to send their donation.

“Thank You” premiums are slated to be sent in December.

The staff and management of WRTC is grateful for the generosity of our dedicated listeners who have supported us year after year.

The bulk of our financial assistance has traditionally come from our listeners and, more than ever, we rely on their backing to keep us on the air doing what we do best.

As the non-commercial radio station of Trinity College, we offer a diverse schedule of nearly 70 programs. Aside from engineering services provided by the college, we’re an all-volunteer organization

We use listener donations to continually improve our ability to bring quality, community-based radio, 24-hours-a-day, 365 days a year to our listeners.

Donations, tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law, are always accepted, either by check — made out to “Trustees of Trinity College” — and mailed to WRTC Marathon, 300 Summit St., Hartford, CT 06106, or by credit card via the secure Trinity College website by clicking this link ==> Donate to WRTC where card information can be entered in the form. Select “Other” and then indicate “WRTC” for  donation. Donors also have an option to use PayPal® via this site.

For more information, or to make a pledge, contact the station at 860-297-2450.