Shannon’s Perspective:

“And the magic music makes your morning mood.”

This sentiment rings very true for me, for a very long time in my life I would wake up every morning with a random song playing inside my own head.  I don’t know why this happened or when or why it stopped but when it was happening, I could tell what kind of mood I was going to have that morning based on what song was in my head.

“Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free.”

Growing up in BFE in the 70’s and 80’s the radio and the music it played was a gift for someone like me.  Before the internet music was a way to know that you were not alone in your life, struggles or feelings and it still is today but the internet has opened up so many other ways to know you are not alone, some good and some bad.  But for me, the constant new kid in town for so many years, music made me feel less alone and more important made me feel less lonely.

“Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.”

Whether it’s driving alone in the car with the radio up, headphones in while doing work (house, yard or a paying job), or listening while on the back of the bike music does not require anything from us it just gives.

Larry’s Pick: The Spirit of Radio

THANK GOD MAY IS OVER! That was a tough month - and it will not be the only theme like that. I've set up a strategy session with the boss to discuss future plans. Now on with the show!

The next few songs fall under the "Songs About Music" theme. And much like Geddy spoke in Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (documentary) they "ran from the heaviness" of the Hemispheres album to the Permanent Waves album (which The Spirit of Radio is the first track). So we're running from the heaviness of Secret Wells of Emotion!

Today in 2004 we were at Germaine Amphitheater (AKA Polaris) at the R30 Tour, which of course, they played this song.

This song is a fan favorite - and why shouldn't it be? Prior to the mass availability of music you could "own" and play in your own house - most of our first experiences with music is over the radio. I know mine was. While this song has been around since 1980, the video I linked to holds a lot of sentimental specifics.

The first is the release of the video itself. The video was made in celebration of the 40th Anniversary release of Permanent Waves - so 2020. However, on January 10th, 2020 the world was shocked to learn of the passing of Neil. As time progressed you realized two very admirable things. 1) He had actually passed away on January 7th, 2020. That means Alex, Geddy and Neil's entire inner-circle had kept it quiet for three days so Neil's family could have some time alone prior to the entire world invading their lives. Much like the media blackout around Michael Schumacher - it proves if you don't want to live in the limelight, it can be done. 2) Neil had glioblastoma (brain cancer) for the previous three and a half years - which again, no one but his inner-circle knew about. So to Alex, Geddy and everyone that knew this tragic information and held it so close, thank you. Thank you for living exactly how Neil lived. Quiet and private.

The second is the contents of the video. From the invention of the radio, to pirate radio, to great FM stations, to Donna Halper introducing the band to the U.S.A. in CLEVELAND OHIO, to the hand motions we all did at concerts during this song - to Neil in his Red Barchetta and the tribute at the end.

With all the Neil sadness you would think I would be severely depressed tonight - but nope. How can you be with such a great song? I'm just grateful to have had it in my life. And hopefully someday someone reading this gets introduced to it as well.

Rest In Peace, Neil Peart - 09/12/1952 - 01/07/2020

30th Anniversary

Our Story - Shannon's Perspective

Our Story - Larry's Perspective

Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?