WIXY's Gone Bananas

Tonight's show at Jackson was cancelled due to the weather. At least we didn't have to travel too far tonight. Would have been nice though since we don't see most of the bands that were scheduled to appear tonight. Message for Barberton: Yes I'm referring to our friends from the Magic City. Last time we were to be in a show with you folks was the Medina show in 2002. That was also cancelled because of the weather, after Rittman played one number. If Barberton truly is the magic city, then use your magic to do something about the weather. I hope to be able to enjoy your show sometime.

Going through the forums last night, I discovered on the T&A, err, television forum on Cleveland.com a tribute site for Big Chuck and lil John . Another link to our past. I love it when I can use modern technology to go down memory lane. Site has forum on it also. All you need to do to be able to discuss your favorite Big Chuck and Lil John memories, or for that matter, Houlihan and Big Chuck, or even Ghoulardi memories, is register with a valid e-mail address. Now we have a place to go when we want to discuss skits, such as Ben Crazy, the Kielbasi Kid, Soul Man, and many others.

In the past several months, I've been communicating with folks who are or have been in either radio, television, or both. I've had some dialogue with disc jockeys, board operators, producers, salespeople, etc. I've gotten insights that I wouldn't otherwise have gotten. No matter what capacity these folks are or were in, they were in love with the business, and show a definite passion for it. I was checking the comments on my blog today and noticed one from Mike Dane, who is one of the dedicated volunteers who do a very professional job on the Sunday Oldies Jukebox. That's a group of folks who love what they are doing, and do their absolute best at it. And speaking of work to love, my wife started her new job this week as a home health aide. She had done this kind of work before, but the kids were young and she was needed at home more at the time. Now with the kids all grown and either in college or married, she can devote time to this work. She had been a retail cle...

As mentioned in my previous post, the WIXYmobile will be heading to Massillon with the Rittman Indians Marching Band for the Jackson festival of bands this weekend. Come see marching bands from Barberton, Wadsworth, Garfield, Sandy Valley, Stow, United, Warren G. Harding, and your host band Jackson. Hopefully the weather will hold out and a good time will be had by all.

This weekend,I drove the WIXYmobile to Whitehouse, Ohio for the 20th Annual Showcase of Bands at Anthony Wayne High School. This was my first trip there, though the Rittman Band had been there in years past. My daughter had told me that the Anthony Wayne show was one of the best. The host band has 132 members, and has one of the best "high stepping" marching styles that I have had the privilege of seeing. Rittman was one of 8 bands participating this past Saturday night, and was the first guest band to perform. A first happened to me as an announcer-I was "turned down". Well, I do have a habit of overmodulating. I was complimented by other announcers for the amount of excitement I put in my presentation. One of the complimenters was Ron Finn , morning host on Toledo radio station WRQN. He was there as guest announcer, and is also a former Anthony Wayne band parent. The Rittman Band gave their best performance of the season Saturday night. It's easy to show excit...

I don't usually dwell on media here in my blog, but I want to touch on some media items of a Christian nature. On Monday, October 2 , WCRF will be rearranging some of their afternoon broadcast schedule. Those of you that are like myself, and miss Dave Ramsey on our drive home will get some financial advice from Crown Financial Ministries as Money Matters will air at 4:00pm. Money Matters is hosted by Steve Moore and Howard Dayton, pictured to your right. Crown Ministries was also the ministry of the late Larry Burkette, whose teachings Dave Ramsey followed when he was coming out of bankruptcy some twenty years ago. Prime Time America , Moody Broadcasting's program which covers news from a Christian perspective will expand to two hours from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Podcasts: Several Moody programs, including Prime Time America, Proclaim! , Midday Connection , and Open Line is available as downloadable podcasts. More on Christian podcasts at a later date.

Checking in during a busy weekend... From the Pressbox: Friday's halftime went well at Rittman Stadium. The new song in the routine this week was the Ramones' "Blitzkreig Bop". Next Friday is an away game for the football team, which means that I have the evening off. Next Saturday, we travel to northwest Ohio for the Anthony Wayne Band Festival. About the Rittman Football Team: The Rittman team dropped to a 1-3 record after a 47-21 loss to Hillsdale this past Friday night. Rittman is basically fielding a junior varsity team after a playoff season last year. Because there was uncertainty during the off season(levy issues), there was a complete turnover in the coaching staff, and two of the remaining starters from last season transferred to another school. The Hillsdale team is having what looks to be like a good season in the early going. They normally have one of the weaker teams in the Wayne County Athletic League, so maybe they can go ahead and make their school p...