Calvin Johnson's Thursday Night Performance

Okay, perhaps I'm not hip enough, but I thought there would be a lot more folks at the HiTone last night to see the legendary Calvin Johnson. Granted we are talking about a Thursday night in Memphis, but to have a crowd of fifteen (and that's being generous) show up to see the K Records founder himself is a bit sad. The good news is that it was a faboulous show. Standing alone on stage with just his acoustic guitar by his side, Calvin treated the select few with his clever (and often hilarious) songs. And what a voice...I had never considered Calvin's voice his strong point but after last night I have to say I have had a change of heart. The microphone merely stood as a prop as Calvin's voice vibrated around the Tone (sometimes in a neck n' neck battle with the chatter from the bar). I also never realized how similar of an artist Clavin is to Stephin Merritt (of the Magnetic Fields). Really, I hope Calvin opens his mailbox each day to find royality checks from Mr. Merritt. Probably the most endearing part of the evening was when Calvin would talk to the meager crowd, completely ignoring the loud noises coming from each and every direction and just have us all cracking up as if he was doing an old Steve Martin routine (he even resembled Martin I thought). Anyway, kudos, Mr. Johnson, for making the trek to our fair city!

And, Viva Les Chouettes!

(Unfortunately, I forgot to charge my camera battery so there are no pictures to post...)

The Music Lovers playlist on 11/17/05

1. Misunderstood - Wilco from Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
2. War - Celebration from Celebration
3. Good Morning, Bubblegum - The Harvey Girls from Blabber n Smoke
4. Hangover Days - Jason Collet from Idols of Exile
5. My 36 Favorite Punk Songs - Jason Forrest from Shamelessly Exciting
6. Rabbit Blood - Calvin Johnson from Before the Dream Faded...
7. Cecil Stick with the Story - Alec Ounsworth from Songs About Coming and Going
8. I Want It All - Dios (Malos) from Dios (Malos)
9. Mother Tongues - Attractive from Attractive EP
10. Turn Into Something - Animal Collective from Feels
11. Careful With That - Rademacher from Ice Age EP
12. Throw It On A Fire - Bell Orchestre from Recording a Tape the Color of the Light
13. I Turn My Camera On (John McEntire Remix) - Spoon from Sister Jack EP
14. My Time Is Running Out - The Juan Maclean from Less Than Human
15. Schrapnell - Isolée from We Are Monster
16. Emergency - Edith Frost from It's A Game
17. Falling Into the Sky - Great Lake Swimmers from Bodies and Minds
18. Shiver Me - Holopaw from Quit +/or Fight
19. Forest of Love - Antony and the Johnsons from You Are My Sister EP
20. Vampire/Forest Fire - Arcade Fire from Arcade Fire EP
21. Julie (Remix) - Jens Lekman from "Oh You're So Silent Jens"
22. The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
23. Submission - Galaxie 500 from Peel Sessions
24. Virginia Reel Around the Fountain - The Halo Benders from The Rebels Not In

Calvin Johnson - Tomorrow Night at the HiTone

Photo Credit: Michael Lavine

Calvin Johnson will be performing tomorrow night at the HiTone with locals Les Chouettes (featuring Lea of Siren's Muse on drums) opening up. The entire night is a benefit for Planned Parenthood. (I was going to write up a small bio of Mr. Johnson but Scenestars beat me to it. Oh well..)

BTW, The Halo Benders' (Calvin Johnson and Doug Martsch outfit) "Virginia Reel Around the Fountain" is one of my all time favorite songs!

Fall Pledge Drive Is Over - We Did It!

The exterior of the operations.

The War Room

Ms. X and Bowman (UK-JA Reggae) in the air room.

Our friendly phone volunteers sure are busy!

The Executor of WEVL

Robert takes a pledge.

Flowers straight from Judy's own garden.

Brian talks to another ACP renewer.

Shortly before 4pm, Apryl takes the pledge that pushes us over our goal!

Jeremey gives the listeners the good news!

Our goal reached!

Rebecca (Pajama Party) gives me a big smile after hearing we exceeded our goal!

Maggie (French Accents and World Dance Party) keeps taking the pledges!

Jeremey and Dr. Ed continue to give the listeners the updates.

Even Lea (Siren's Muse) gets in on the action with her first pledge wrap.

Judy (Station Manager) can finally relax... for a moment.

The pledge drive is over!

Lonnie subs for Brett on Soul Stew as things get back to normal.

Apryl helps put the signage away until the next pledge drive in the spring.

The grand total!

We did it! (Yes, that's me)

Thank you to all those who helped us reach our goal! We couldn't have done it without you!