Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Instant Summer
Sunshine and 65 today, 70 tomorrow, 80 Friday and Saturday. I hear the clatter of golf clubs and the churning of the rotating mops at the car wash. And, there's no snow on Snow Road. But wait -- the snows of April are coming.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Clinton Was President
This morning, a very pleasant listener rang us up and asked why he hadn't heard the theme from "The Captain from Castile" on WCLV these days. Since it's movie music, it's more suited to the twice-daily movie quizzes, even though a few well-known movie themes, like that from "Gone With the Wind," are played in the regular music rotation.
So I asked how long it had been since he'd heard it on WCLV.
"Fifteen years," he replied.
"Fifteen years? And you're just calling about it now?" I asked.
This reminds me of a listener who wrote long ago when "Adventures in Good Music with Karl Haas" was still being aired on WCLV 104.9 FM. He'd heard a piece on a Karl Haas show 16 years prior and said he'd love to know what it was.
Would you expect a bookstore to have a book that was published when Bill Clinton was President?
Moral of the Story: Asking about music heard on WCLV? Check the online program guide at wclv.com by clicking on "Programs/Music." If it's not there, call or e-mail us.
Wondering why you haven't heard a piece of music lately? You'll get the best response if you get in touch within 15 years.
So I asked how long it had been since he'd heard it on WCLV.
"Fifteen years," he replied.
"Fifteen years? And you're just calling about it now?" I asked.
This reminds me of a listener who wrote long ago when "Adventures in Good Music with Karl Haas" was still being aired on WCLV 104.9 FM. He'd heard a piece on a Karl Haas show 16 years prior and said he'd love to know what it was.
Would you expect a bookstore to have a book that was published when Bill Clinton was President?
Moral of the Story: Asking about music heard on WCLV? Check the online program guide at wclv.com by clicking on "Programs/Music." If it's not there, call or e-mail us.
Wondering why you haven't heard a piece of music lately? You'll get the best response if you get in touch within 15 years.
If You Just Joined Us...
I hope you enjoy the "Queen of the Morn" blog. The intent is to put in print some of the backstage conversations and events that I occasionally mention on WCLV 104.9 & wclv.com, plus a few items that I hope you will find enjoyable.
Feel free to object, agree, or comment. Thanks for visiting.
Feel free to object, agree, or comment. Thanks for visiting.
A Chicagoan's Observation
Dino, a Chicagoan who listens to WCLV 104.9 on the internet at wclv.com, wrote in last week after hearing about Cleveland's foggy commutes through a well-known traffic landmark: "If my commute required me to drive through a fog-shrouded place called 'Dead Man's Curve,' I'd call in sick."
Monday, March 29, 2010
Pre-Seder Slaving
While we aired Vaughan Williams's overture from "The Wasps" on today's "First Program" on 104.9 FM & wclv.com, a listener called to thank us for energizing him. He was up and around much earlier than usual on his day off, doing the dreaded "deep cleaning" before hosting his family's Passover seder tonight.
"I feel like I'm one of the slaves in Egypt," he said.
"I feel like I'm one of the slaves in Egypt," he said.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Fair Warning
Every April Fool's Day, I play a joke on the listeners. One year, I did a fake news report that LeBron James had bought the Cleveland Orchestra. Several very upset women called later asking if it was true. In each case, I replied "April Fool," which amused all but one elderly woman.
Her nasal voice strained with intensity. "Is it true that LeBron James bought the Cleveland Orchestra?"
"April Fool," I said.
"Is it true that LeBron James bought the Cleveland Orchestra?"
"April Fool."
Her voice was getting more hysterical. "Is it true that LeBron James bought the Cleveland Orchestra?"
"April Fool."
"Well, did he?"
"No."
She hung up.
Her nasal voice strained with intensity. "Is it true that LeBron James bought the Cleveland Orchestra?"
"April Fool," I said.
"Is it true that LeBron James bought the Cleveland Orchestra?"
"April Fool."
Her voice was getting more hysterical. "Is it true that LeBron James bought the Cleveland Orchestra?"
"April Fool."
"Well, did he?"
"No."
She hung up.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Post Time
The time of each post on this blog is noted in the lower left-hand corner of the post. I'm still trying to figure out why the time that appears is 3 hours earlier than the time of day I actually post the item. Do any of you know?
Why "Queen of the Morn?"
Our overnight guy, Rob Grier, who has a rumbling, thundering, basso voice, started calling me "Queen of the Morning" around the time I was starting to use Twitter to promote WCLV's "First Program," the official name of the station's morning drive show on 104.9 FM & wclv.com.
This idea stuck to the wall. However, "Queen of the Morning" was too long for a Twitter user name. So I slashed it to "Queen of the Morn."
I call Rob "The Barry White of the Overnight." Good luck using THAT on Twitter or anywhere else.
This idea stuck to the wall. However, "Queen of the Morning" was too long for a Twitter user name. So I slashed it to "Queen of the Morn."
I call Rob "The Barry White of the Overnight." Good luck using THAT on Twitter or anywhere else.
The Ballet Police
Traffic information is fed to us via internet. I try to add a little creativity to this dry info. When cars spin out, I sometimes say "a car did a '360'" or I use a dance term.
Yesterday, a ballet maven in the WCLV audience took exception to my use of the word "pirouette" in a traffic report.
She pointed out that a pirouette was not a moving step, that it was stationary.
Fair enough, I said, but do you think most of the audience will know the difference?
"We ballet people from New York do," she said triumphantly.
"That's why we look up to you," I replied.
Yesterday, a ballet maven in the WCLV audience took exception to my use of the word "pirouette" in a traffic report.
She pointed out that a pirouette was not a moving step, that it was stationary.
Fair enough, I said, but do you think most of the audience will know the difference?
"We ballet people from New York do," she said triumphantly.
"That's why we look up to you," I replied.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Crunchy Pavement
A late-night light snow froze overnight in Cleveland, creating clumps on the driveways, streets, and sidewalks. You could hear your footsteps crunch in the clear, cold air this morning.
Why is it that in the last couple days, the laws of physics have been routinely ignored by speeding big-rig drivers on Dead Man's Curve, causing them to tip over and tie up traffic for hours?
When we read traffic reports, we're essentially sight-reading a sort of code which we receive from Metro Networks' website.
An overnight report from the 5 a.m. hour contained this at the end of a sentence reporting slippery roads but no accidents: "Nothing is working in the city." I think they meant that there were no accidents so far, but upon reflection, maybe they were on to something.
Why is it that in the last couple days, the laws of physics have been routinely ignored by speeding big-rig drivers on Dead Man's Curve, causing them to tip over and tie up traffic for hours?
When we read traffic reports, we're essentially sight-reading a sort of code which we receive from Metro Networks' website.
An overnight report from the 5 a.m. hour contained this at the end of a sentence reporting slippery roads but no accidents: "Nothing is working in the city." I think they meant that there were no accidents so far, but upon reflection, maybe they were on to something.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Seeing "Ivory"
Two Oberlin Conservatory piano students + the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition = "Ivory," the new film now showing at the Cleveland International Film Festival Friday, March 26 at 9:50 p.m. and Saturday, March 27 at 9:20 a.m. at Cleveland's Tower City Cinemas.
It's a funny and truthful tableau about musical ambition and accomplishment. Martin Landau, who is best known for his role on TV's "Mission Impossible," plays the chair of the judges' committee.
The creators of this film know what they're talking about. The executive producer, Charles Carre, and screenwriter-producer Laurence Gingold, are Oberlin Conservatory grads. Several scenes were shot at Oberlin.
At this afternoon's premiere, WCLV listeners in the audience asked at least 20 questions of Messrs. Carre and Gingold along with the film's director, Andrew W. Chan. Afterward, I spent an hour chatting with all three men about the rigors of getting a film produced, shot and distributed.
More details once you've had a chance to see the movie.
Hint: Mr. Chan is the pianist in one of the last scenes. He can really play. The other actors are really hittin' the ivories; they were taught the short excerpts they perform in the film.
It's a funny and truthful tableau about musical ambition and accomplishment. Martin Landau, who is best known for his role on TV's "Mission Impossible," plays the chair of the judges' committee.
The creators of this film know what they're talking about. The executive producer, Charles Carre, and screenwriter-producer Laurence Gingold, are Oberlin Conservatory grads. Several scenes were shot at Oberlin.
At this afternoon's premiere, WCLV listeners in the audience asked at least 20 questions of Messrs. Carre and Gingold along with the film's director, Andrew W. Chan. Afterward, I spent an hour chatting with all three men about the rigors of getting a film produced, shot and distributed.
More details once you've had a chance to see the movie.
Hint: Mr. Chan is the pianist in one of the last scenes. He can really play. The other actors are really hittin' the ivories; they were taught the short excerpts they perform in the film.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Fog Strikes Back
Be extra careful today -- one mile will be clear, the next will have dense fog. Be prepared to slow down. The fog stretches along a Youngstown-Streetsboro-Cleveland Hopkins Airport line. The fog will dissipate by mid-morning.
What a fabulous time last night at the Wu Han/Philip Setzer/David Finckel concert at Fairmount Temple Auditorium in Beachwood. They played two Schubert piano trios: B-flat, op. 99, D. 898, and E-flat, op. 100, D. 929. Thanks to the folks at the Cleveland Chamber Music Society for a very satisfying concert.
Clevelanders take their music VERY seriously. The pre-concert chat was well attended. During the concert, a lady sitting near me knew the B-flat trio so well that she was humming along.
Wu Han's wardrobe is always memorable. She wore a floaty, shimmery, black and silvery knee-length overblouse trimmed in ruffles. Her shoes were silver, and her leggings seemed to be heavier than the standard variety -- they almost seemed to be velour. Messrs. Setzer and Finckel wore business suits, white shirts and bow ties in gold and red, respectively.
What a fabulous time last night at the Wu Han/Philip Setzer/David Finckel concert at Fairmount Temple Auditorium in Beachwood. They played two Schubert piano trios: B-flat, op. 99, D. 898, and E-flat, op. 100, D. 929. Thanks to the folks at the Cleveland Chamber Music Society for a very satisfying concert.
Clevelanders take their music VERY seriously. The pre-concert chat was well attended. During the concert, a lady sitting near me knew the B-flat trio so well that she was humming along.
Wu Han's wardrobe is always memorable. She wore a floaty, shimmery, black and silvery knee-length overblouse trimmed in ruffles. Her shoes were silver, and her leggings seemed to be heavier than the standard variety -- they almost seemed to be velour. Messrs. Setzer and Finckel wore business suits, white shirts and bow ties in gold and red, respectively.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We Get a Million of Them
The most interesting callers ring us up between 7:30 and 8.
A Maple Heights High School student called and asked if I'd announce his upcoming birthday party on the air.
This young man has a future -- he knows the value of free publicity. But, like nearly every radio listener, he thinks he knows the best way to use radio without understanding the pitfalls.
I gently told him the station doesn't do this kind of announcement. Then I delivered my "responsible radio professional" message.
"Are you nuts wanting to announce this on the radio?" I asked "Do you know how many nut cases might be listening?"
His grin was audible. "I'm serious," I said. "You never who is listening." He said he'd publicized a prior birthday that way and all kinds of people showed up. He did not share details.
I asked how long he'd listened to WCLV -- a few years, he said. When I asked if he played an instrument, he said he sang and performed rap.
Rap, to me, is related to chant. I wish someone would take the Gregorian Chants and perform them as rap numbers. He liked the idea. I hope he calls back with an example.
A Maple Heights High School student called and asked if I'd announce his upcoming birthday party on the air.
This young man has a future -- he knows the value of free publicity. But, like nearly every radio listener, he thinks he knows the best way to use radio without understanding the pitfalls.
I gently told him the station doesn't do this kind of announcement. Then I delivered my "responsible radio professional" message.
"Are you nuts wanting to announce this on the radio?" I asked "Do you know how many nut cases might be listening?"
His grin was audible. "I'm serious," I said. "You never who is listening." He said he'd publicized a prior birthday that way and all kinds of people showed up. He did not share details.
I asked how long he'd listened to WCLV -- a few years, he said. When I asked if he played an instrument, he said he sang and performed rap.
Rap, to me, is related to chant. I wish someone would take the Gregorian Chants and perform them as rap numbers. He liked the idea. I hope he calls back with an example.
Both Kinds of Fog
This morning Cleveland is shrouded in fog. That's in addition to your own internal fog -- and mine. Be careful. The Movie Quiz at 9:25 a.m. Eastern Time on WCLV 104.9 & wclv.com
Monday, March 22, 2010
Silence = Panic
In a radio station, there are monitors throughout the office so we can hear the station outside the control room. One of our board operators who works outside of normal business hours has a habit of turning down all the monitors, which causes panic to anyone in the station because it makes us think we're off the air.
I told him, it's the equivalent of an art museum security officer removing all the art from the walls at the end of his shift. He's not convinced.
On Tuesday's "First Program," following the Sousalarm at 6:55, I'll play from our Choice CD of Mendelssohn trios featuring Ax, Perlman and Ma. The Movie Quiz prize at 9:25 a.m. Eastern Time is a pair of tickets to the Shaw Festival to see one of three shows: "An Ideal Husband," "The Women," or "The Doctor's Dilemma."
Don't forget: If you can't stick around for the Movie Quiz answer, I post the answer on Twitter. Go to www.twitter.com/queenofthemorn.
I told him, it's the equivalent of an art museum security officer removing all the art from the walls at the end of his shift. He's not convinced.
On Tuesday's "First Program," following the Sousalarm at 6:55, I'll play from our Choice CD of Mendelssohn trios featuring Ax, Perlman and Ma. The Movie Quiz prize at 9:25 a.m. Eastern Time is a pair of tickets to the Shaw Festival to see one of three shows: "An Ideal Husband," "The Women," or "The Doctor's Dilemma."
Don't forget: If you can't stick around for the Movie Quiz answer, I post the answer on Twitter. Go to www.twitter.com/queenofthemorn.
The Weather Cookie
Arriving Monday morning at a radio station is like you-know-who's box of chocolates: You never know what you're going to get.
Today, I found an unopened, cellophane-wrapped fortune cookie beside my keyboard, along with several packets of soy sauce and an unopened bag of chow mein noodles. Someone with an appetite for Moo Goo Gai Pan apparently used my work station over the weekend.
I opened the cookie on the air at 6:10 traffic break. The fortune read, "There appear to be many clouds; but they quickly pass." It started to rain within the hour.
Who knew? A meteorologist fortune cookie.
Today, I found an unopened, cellophane-wrapped fortune cookie beside my keyboard, along with several packets of soy sauce and an unopened bag of chow mein noodles. Someone with an appetite for Moo Goo Gai Pan apparently used my work station over the weekend.
I opened the cookie on the air at 6:10 traffic break. The fortune read, "There appear to be many clouds; but they quickly pass." It started to rain within the hour.
Who knew? A meteorologist fortune cookie.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Trust Me On This
Our devoted WCLV listeners love to point out errors on the air, but there was no error on last Thursday's Movie Quiz answer. I played the song "That's Entertainment," and the answer WAS the movie "That's Entertainment." The song was written in the early 1930's for the stage musical "The Band Wagon," and was also used in the 1953 film of the same name and "That's Entertainment" decades later.
But the answer we wanted and got on Thursday was "That's Entertainment." Ironically, when years ago I played the same song and gave a clue for "The Band Wagon," over 90 per cent of callers answered "That's Entertainment." In that case, they were incorrect. Last Thursday, they were on the money.
One of our complaining listeners justified his view by suggesting that "That's Entertainment" wasn't a real movie, just strung together film clips. I recall lots of people buying tickets and popcorn to sit in a theater and watch it in the dark. Just how is that NOT a movie?
How would YOU have answered our listener?
But the answer we wanted and got on Thursday was "That's Entertainment." Ironically, when years ago I played the same song and gave a clue for "The Band Wagon," over 90 per cent of callers answered "That's Entertainment." In that case, they were incorrect. Last Thursday, they were on the money.
One of our complaining listeners justified his view by suggesting that "That's Entertainment" wasn't a real movie, just strung together film clips. I recall lots of people buying tickets and popcorn to sit in a theater and watch it in the dark. Just how is that NOT a movie?
How would YOU have answered our listener?
March 22, 2010
On the first Monday in Spring, we'll play "Till Eulenspiegel" and the Light Cavalry Overture. In the 7:00 hour, you'll also hear what a smelly lass sounds like. I know, but you'll just have to BE there.
You ARE playing the Movie Quiz at 9:25 a.m. Eastern Time, aren't you? We've got two tickets to the Shaw Festival in Ontario, which opens mid-April and continues through October. The contest line number is 800/343-9258 (800/343-WCLV).
Keep repeating to yourself: "I deserve a prize...I deserve a prize...I deserve a prize."
You ARE playing the Movie Quiz at 9:25 a.m. Eastern Time, aren't you? We've got two tickets to the Shaw Festival in Ontario, which opens mid-April and continues through October. The contest line number is 800/343-9258 (800/343-WCLV).
Keep repeating to yourself: "I deserve a prize...I deserve a prize...I deserve a prize."
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