Bakersfield and Beyond: "Magic Wand-a" Comes to KWMR radio
Categories: KWMR, Bakesfield and Beyond
Tags: Bakersfield and Beyond Bakersfield sound underground KWMR Bakersfield sound Wanda Jackson
Easter has come and gone. Christmas is still a long ways away. Instead of getting the post-holiday blues, I think I'll proclaim this Wanda Week. Without Wanda Jackson, who would possibly serve as the inspiration for Bakersfield acts such as the Dusk Devils, especially with the beat Pat Frase used to bring to the band?
I'm hear to announce that big hair is back in Bakersfield, and so is Wanda Jackson, though in the hearts of so many here in Kern County, she never really left.
Wanda Jackson was, and is, the ultimate genre-buster. She is the lady kccrockers (Kern County country rockers) like me look up to as the Queen of Kccrock. When you hear a Wanda Jackson song, and you ask me if it's rock, country, gospel or rockabilly, you'll get the same answer from me: It's Wanda Jackson. She has made great strides, and has proven, with the profound influence she had on the development of West Coast country, and the Bakersfield sound, that a woman can really put the kick in something I call in a song, Kick-As*& country.
As spunky and feisty as she was and as she is on stage, she's a real lady, and a woman of faith, holding to the values that make this country (and this country music) strong.
I guess that's why they're releasing their interview with her this week at KWMR in Marin County on the brand new radio show that's sweeping the country, and the world, Bakersfield and Beyond.
I guess that's why I'll be releasing a brand new tribute to her within the next week or so, right here at Bakersfield Sound Underground.
It's called Magic Wand-a. You can win it, if you can name all of the Wanda Jackson songs alluded to in that song of mine. The way I would describe it as a 60-s retro"Haight-Ashbury meets Buck Owens Blvd" kccrock tune with a big alt rock influence in the mix. Please, don't ask me if it's a country or a rock song. I'll simply respond, it's simply me, Dr. BLT. Here's a rough sample:
Magic Wand-a
Dr BLT
Download | Duration: 00:00:53
You can hear the Wanda Jackson interview on KWMR tomorrow, Thursday, April 16. The radio show, Bakersfield and Beyond starts at 6:30 pm and wraps up at 8:30 pm. They'll be lots of treasured tunes, as usual, from our beloved crew, and I'll call in to fan the flames of the Bakersfield sound revival. You can stream it at www.kwmr.org
surfing wanda stuff & found your pg... actually, my main influences have been the cramps, little richard, & the blasters. but i can't sing like any of them!!! (or wanda, for that matter.) of all the great drummers we've had, you had to mention the one who only did maybe 3 shows w/us. the band's way way better now, i guarantee, w/fabulous phil & marvelous mark!! wanda week: cool idea.
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Thanks for enlightening us on your influences. I never used to understand how people could say that I had been influenced by Bob Dylan, when I never even played much Bob Dylan growing up.
Then I realized that I had listened to a lot of other artists that had been influenced by Bob Dylan, so it's possible that Bob was influencing me indirectly through these other acts. I don't know if a similar phenomenon may apply to you in this case, but is it possible that some of the acts you admire and have been influenced by were influenced by Wanda Jackson?
As far as your drummers are concerned, I may be a bit biased when it comes to Pat Frase, I'll be the first to admit it.
Another interview with the Dusk Devils would be great if we could work out the details. If you're interested, have your people contact my people
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