Photo borrowed from KWMR web site: www.kwmr.org

I must admit, I'm not the most exciting, dynamic speaker.  The first college I ever applied to teach for turned me down with this explanation: You're not enough of a cheerleader.  Many years later, I'm still teaching.  Without engaging my students in constant interactive, creative activities, I would probably put them all to sleep with my monotone speaking voice. 

I have to pinched myself to convince myself it's real--the opportunity to be part of this exciting new radio show that's connecting folks all over California, all over the United States, even all over the world with a phenomenon some were content to dismiss as dead and gone--the Bakersfield sound.  I get to be a regular guest on the show, a show that comes on every second Thursday evening from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm out of Marin county in California.  They even include me on the play list, back-to-back with performers that are admittedly much more polished at their craft than I am.

On Thursday, April 16, it was ladies night.  They featured some great ladies--everyone from one of country music's biggest and best female country stars, Tammy Wynette, to a young woman many are calling the new Joni Mitchell-----singer/songwriter, Alyssa Kaess, who did a beautiful cover of a song written by yours truly called Color of Your Dreams. 

Of course the big event of the evening was a lovely interview with the phenomenal genre-busting Wanda Jackson, who was recently inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.  The interview reinforced in my mind the pillar and shining light that Ms. Jackson and her bold rockabilly, country and gospel music have represented over the years.  She struck me as a no-nonsense, straight-shooter with strong family values and a sense of authenticity that is rarely seen among today's big stars. 

Sometime during the summer, I hope to make a pilgrimage to KWMR to meet Amanda and Mike, and to join in a face-to-face live encounter on the show.  Now, I know I'm standing on sacred ground here in Bakersfield, walking the same streets Buck and Merle once walked, but somehow when I arrive in that coastal community and meet the hosts of Bakersfield and Beyond, I'll feel like I'm standing on the very epicenter of a great, burgeoning Bakersfield sound revival.