WRTC FM

Strictly Roots celebrated the career of Jimmy Cliff on Dec. 7. The reggae legend passed away Nov. 24 at the age of 81.

The Jamaican ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul singer was a versatile writer and one of his nation’s most celebrated musicians. He was credited with helping to popularize reggae music internationally.

At the time of his death, Cliff was the only reggae musician to hold the Order of Merit — the highest honor granted by the Jamaican government for achievements in the arts and sciences. He was also nominated seven times for the Grammy Awards, winning twice.

In 1972, Cliff starred in groundbreaking “The Harder They Come” — the first major commercial film from Jamaica. The soundtrack helped introduce reggae to the world.

He was known for such tracks as “Many Rivers to Cross,” “If I Follow My Mind,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “The Harder They Come” and “Reggae Night.” His covers of Cat Stevens’s “Wild World,” Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” — from the “Cool Runnings” soundtrack — and the Elton John/Tim Rice-penned “Hakuna Matata” which appeared on the “Lion King” soundtrack drew acclaim.

Cliff was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. He is one of a handful of Jamaicans in the hall, including Bob Marley (1994) while Thom Bell and Sandra “Peppa” Denton who were inducted this year.

The Nov. 15 edition of Greasy Tracks featured an interview with Mike Miz who discussed his recently-released Sometimes By Surprise as well as a tribute to Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay.

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here.

Now fully part of the Nashville scene, Miz, not to be confused with the wrestler, has made a gem of an album, his third, much of it co-written with modern day outlaw country troubadour Boo Ray.

We celebrated the career of Donna Jean who recently passed away at 78. Best-known for her association with the Grateful Dead, she was first and foremost an in-demand studio singer. We focused on some of her session work, some obligatory tracks with the Jerry Garcia Band as well as post-GD projects including The Heart of Gold Band, The Ghosts and solo work.

Drummer Greg Anton and guitarist Steve Kimock are interviewed and share insights on Donna Jean who first worked with the duo in 1979 after she and keyboardist then-husband Keith Godchaux had left the Grateful Dead. They would record as The Ghosts and the short-lived Heart of Gold Band.

Anton and Kimock would go on to form Zero in 1980.

Peter Niedmann is perhaps best known as a mild-mannered organist and director of music at Church of Christ, Congregational in Newington, but the veteran composer/organist/pianist has a diverse musical background — and unknown to many people — a keen interest in progressive rock.

The unique style emerged in the late 1960s, blending rock with classical, jazz and experimental elements. King Crimson, Yes, The Moody Blues, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Pink Floyd were some who pioneered complex song structures, concept albums and virtuosic musicianship. By the mid-1970s, prog rock had peaked, but its influence continues to this day.

On Nov. 14, Niedmann will celebrate three vital keyboardists who, along with their respective bands, are synonymous with prog — Tony Banks (Genesis), Rick Wakeman (Yes) and Keith Emerson (ELP) — as he presents Prog Rock Piano! The one-man show, which is free and open to the public, takes place at Church of Christ, Congregational, 1075 Main St., in Newington. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

The Nov. 8 edition of Greasy Tracks was laden with prog music and includes an interview with Niedmann who shared insight on the trio of keyboardists he’ll be featuring in his show where he’ll perform on a Yamaha C6 grand piano, accompanied by stage lighting, video and more to create a rock concert experience.

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here.

Princess or prince costumes were suggested attire for the Oct. 31 edition of Friday Class as it featured Prof. Lay talking fairy tales with author Liz Gotauco.

Here’s the archive. 

Best known as The Cosbrarian, Gotauco rose to fame on Tiktok during the pandemic with her series F*cked Up Fairy Tales. In her offline life, she works as a children’s librarian in Rhode Island.

Online, it’s another story as she entertains thousands of fans with her characteristic charm and very cheeky sense of humor. She doesn’t just tell the stories, she makes them come alive because she’s a multifaceted woman, just like all the characters she plays.

Gotauco has a strong background in theater and arts, so it’s no surprise how she can put a spell on young and old with her stories. She’ll share with Prof. Lay’s class her experiences in as a librarian, her favorite stories and the process to create her videos.

She also discussed her just-published book, F*cked Up Fairy Tales: Sinful Cinderellas, Prince Alarmings and Other Timeless Classics (W. W. Norton & Company), which reinforces why fairy tales are not just for kids.

The annual WRTC fundraising marathon concluded Oct. 24.

On behalf of the staff and management, we thank all of our generous listeners who pledged to support the station.

As the non-commercial radio station of Trinity College, we offer a diverse schedule of 60-plus programs on a weekly basis. Aside from two part-time employees, we’re an all-volunteer organization.

Much of our financial assistance comes from our loyal listeners and we rely on your backing to keep us on the air doing what we do best.

Those who pledged will receive a pledge/payment form in the mail. Just follow the simple instructions and return it to: WRTC Marathon, 300 Summit St., Hartford, CT 06106.

You can also still donate securely online, just click here.

On the Oct. 4 Soul Express, host Dean Farrell paid tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month with 90 minutes of Latin soul.

Here’s the archive. 

Featured artists included, Joe Bataan, Ray Barretto, Cannibal & The Headhunters, Joe Cuba, El Chicano, Malo, the Premiers, Mongo Santamaria, Thee Midniters, War and others.

An interview with Greg Anton — a veteran drummer, composer, author and lawyer whose career bridges music and literature — was featured on the Sept. 20 edition of Greasy Tracks.

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here.

Best known as co-founder of the Bay Area band Zero with guitarist Steve Kimock, Anton’s drumming anchored the group’s improvisational blend of rock, jazz and psychedelia, making them a fixture of the jam-band scene.

Recently, he released It’s About Time (Rare Bird Books), his second novel.

Despite being a work of fiction — Anton brings his experiences in music, from writing and playing to the oft-tricky and complex inner band workings — the book reads like a real-life account of the cut-throat side of the music industry, especially when it comes to publishing.

A Hunter S. Thompson quote at the start of the book could serve as a cautionary indicator of the drama that will unfold throughout the ensuing pages: “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”

The latest saga is a follow-up to his debut foray into authorship, Face The Music in 2014. Anton says he’s already working on a continuation of the tale.

Anton was a long-time collaborator with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter who co-wrote many of the 50-plus songs Anton has published.

Hunter once said of Anton as a writer: “Greg exposes the insularity of the pop-music business with stunning veracity. It’s an insider’s look at its highs, lows, and a whiff of the steaming guts, delivered with style and verve. . . not incidentally featuring an unforgettable leading lady. Good sh*t!”

A native of Hartford, Anton is now based in Sonoma County, Calif., where he’s been a practicing attorney for many decades. He’s long championed medical marijuana rights and in 2015 he achieved a landmark federal court decision which allowed medical marijuana to be distributed in California free of federal interference.

The paths of Anton and Kimock first crossed when they connected with keyboardist Keith Godchaux and his vocalist wife, Donna Jean Godchaux, following their exit from the Grateful Dead in 1978. Initially calling their new band Ghosts, they became the Heart of Gold Band, but only played one gig before Keith Godchaux died in an auto accident. It would only be a matter of time before Anton and Kimock formed Zero.

An interview with Boston rocker Tad Overbaugh was featured on the Sept. 15 edition of The Devo Rock Show.

Tracks from Overbaugh’s latest release, Farther From Near (Rum Bar Records) as well as material from his previous band, The Kickbacks were spotlighted.

A native of Swampscott, Mass., Overbaugh got his start in the late 1990s with The Kickbacks, a Boston-based country rock band. They released five records between 1997-2008.

In 2008, Overbaugh opted to go solo and formed Late Arrivals, featuring Kickbacks’ bassist Matthew Arnold and drummer Jon Burton.

On his latest release — the second on Rum Bar Records along with two EPs —
Overbaugh is joined by David Minehan (The Neighborhoods, Paul Westerburg, The Replacements) and former Kickbacks guitarist Shawn Byrne. The record features a mix of country rock songs about the ups and downs of love.

Overbaugh and Minehan co-produced the album, which was recorded at Minehan’s studio, Woolly Mammoth Sound, in Waltham, Mass.

It’s been 55 years since the Atlanta Rhythm Section was formed, essentially to be the house band at Studio One, a then-yet-to-be-completed recording facility in a nondescript strip mall in Doraville, a town outside of Atlanta.

An interview with vocalist Rodney Justo, one of the founding members of ARS, was part of the Sept. 13 edition of Greasy Tracks which included a deep dive into the band’s catalog.

Here’s the archive, while a playlist is here.

ARS appears Sept. 19 at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook and Sept. 21 at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford.

Studio One and the formation of ARS was the brainchild of engineer Rodney Mills and songwriter/producer/music publisher Buddy Buie. The musicians he selected had roots with The Candymen, an Alabama-based group that had backed Roy Oribison and Florida outfits, The Classics IV and Noah’s Ark.

Justo, who did spells with The Candymen and Noah’s Ark, was one of those musicians tabbed by Buie for the new band. Buie had gained a reputation for his songwriting and production prowess, especially with the chart-friendly Classics IV.

Despite his admiration for Buie and tight kinship with his bandmates, Justo left ARS shortly after their self-titled debut was released in 1972, citing the financial strain due to lack of traction on the charts.

Justo suggested that ARS bring in vocalist Ronnie Hammond — who had been working as an engineering assistant at Studio One — as his replacement which the band did. Despite a number of critically well received albums, the band still wasn’t burning up the charts over the next few years, but that would eventually change.

The band would become FM staples thanks to a number of Top 10 singles, including “So Into You” from A Rock and Roll Alternative (1976) and “Imaginary Lover” from Champagne Jam (1978).

Justo made a number of returns to the band, the first in 1983 and another 25 years later. Since 2011, he’s been fronting ARS, his soulful vocals providing a connection to the band’s roots and signature sound.

Internationally renowned piano virtuoso Jorge Luis Pacheco was featured on the Sept. 11 edition of Fifty Shades of Jazz.

Here’s the archive.

Along with playing a wide range of Pacheo’s music, host Lou Pomales aired an interview that he recently did with Pacheco who appears at Jorgensen Center For The Performing Arts on Sept. 18.

The UConn performance marks the start of the Jorgensen’s 70th anniversary season.

A native of Havana, Cuba, Pacheco leads a trio, including percussionist Reinier Mendoza and bassist Geron Lazo-Quiroga. In addition to performing his own material, he’ll play selections to honor the Buena Vista Social Club.