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04/05/2006

Dylan’s XM Radio broadcast: veteran DJ’s critique

Thanks to DJ Michael Tearson:

“I read with interest your comments about the first XM Dylan show, which I have listened to.

“I do the Bob Dylan Radio Hour on Sirius' Disorder channel, airing every Sunday at 10 AM and 7 PM Eastern time. It’s the premier satellite show (OK, the only one) specifically devoted to Dylan's songs (the true star of the show - not the man, but the songs).

“Here's my take on Dylan's show. He needs a team for the show; I do it all for my shows. On XM, Bob is trying to play the role of the hip DJ, essentially what I have done for 38+ years. Any questions about my pedigree, just ask any long-time Philadelphia resident who listened to WMMR between 1970 and 1992 when I did late nights there.

“I thought the Theme Hour was fun, but I've done shows like it many times before. I really don't think many are going to embrace the project. One must realize stuff like this is for the very open-minded listener who can approach it with a ‘listen without labels’ philosophy, which is quite rare in practice. And I wish he had used a few more musical segues in the show, so each track doesn't feel so isolated.

“My Bob Dylan Radio Hour feels more valuable to Sirius than ever, now that Bob's show is on and is such a polar opposite (but it is exactly what I expected from him).

“You write: ‘And, probably for the first time in the history of radio, the DJ’s commentary will be even more interesting than the music he plays.’

“As one who has been an FM DJ since 1967, essentially the time FM rock began, I find your comments about DJ commentary blithe at best, and to those of us who have done (and in my case still do) thoughtful, creative freeform radio, often with themed hours (specifically in my case my two shows on WBZC out of Burlington County [NJ] College--Psychedelic Psupper Fridays at 5 PM and The Attic Fridays at 10 PM, both Eastern time), it is incredibly short shrift.

“For WBZC I have done 460 recorded hours (done in my home studio where I also do BDRH for Sirius and Saturday Morning 60s for classic rocker WMGK) and to date 105 Dylan Hours in the facility, too.”

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