1. How long have you been with WNRN and how did you get started?
I started with WNRN one month before we went on the air, in 1998. I answered an ad about the startup of a new station focused on cool new music and since I had been involved with a few other stations in the Tidewater area, I thought it might be fun. Never wanted to be on the air but there was a skeleton crew at first and only Brian Meffle and myself are still here from that crew. Brian actually pre-dates me by a couple weeks. We brought our own music from home and worked shifts, sometimes napping on a cot in the back room. I was the designated trainer since we were mainly staffed by volunteers, many of them students from UVA. Training was 2-6AM on Saturdays and we got started right after our rap show, The Boombox.
2. What should WNRN listeners know about your show, and/or your music tastes?
I like a lot of different genres but always had a soft spot for the blues. Since I’ve been at the station I’ve done regular shifts at all hours, a Southern Rock show “Southern Spirit”, an Industrial show called “The Core” and fill-in spots for Bluegrass Sunday Morning.
There are many blues shows in the area on other stations, mostly focused on classic blues, which I love, but I thought a show focused on new blues would be something different, pushing the genre forward. I am proud to play blues artists and bands that wouldn’t get airtime otherwise. I pitched the idea for years and finally got the OK 11 years ago. And I’ve enjoyed putting it together and sharing the music each week.
3. What’s your favorite, recent music discovery?
My show (Fresh Roots New Blues) is an unending parade of “discoveries” through the years, including famous ones like Christone “Kingfish” Ingram who we had at the station, and less famous players like Altered Five Blues Band, Carly Harvey, Bloodest Saxophone (from Japan), Candice Ivory, Dylan Triplett, Eddie 9V, Halo Rider, Heavydrunk, Jerron Paxton, Mathias Latin, Selwyn Birchwood ….and way too many more to mention. And lately an odd group of seasoned musicians from New York who call themselves Little Georgie & The Shuffling Hungarians! How can you not have fun with that!
4. What might be an unexpected artist on your personal playlist?
Since FRNB isn’t a hard-core blues show, per se, I frequently highlight gospel, R&B and other genres that fall under the “roots” category. Gov’t Mule, ZZ Top, JJ Grey and Mofro…all fair game. If you’re a blues purist, Fresh Roots New Blues might not be your thing…
5. A couple of firsts: What was the first concert you ever attended? What was the first album you ever bought?
First concert was Freddie King and the Blackbyrds opening up for Grand Funk Railroad, many, many moons ago. First album? Probably a Chicago LP…
6. What would be your 1-3 Top ‘Desert Island’ albums? The ones you would want with you if stranded on a desert island. Why?
Not a “desert island” type of guy but all time favorites would have to include “I Don’t Want To Go Home” from Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, “Quadrophenia” from The Who, and “Full House” from The J. Geils Band, if I had to pick three. Ask me again in a few days and the list will be different.
7. What are some of your favorite hobbies/things to do outside of music and radio?
Outside of music, my hobbies are limited but I would say sports (watching only, body permanently altered by youth participation), politics (don’t ask, I’m in withdrawal) and having a ball at the beach with family.
Extra: What shows are you looking forward to in 2025 / What were some of your favorite shows in 2024?
I always look forward to the Heritage Blues Festival in Wheeling, WV and tons of blues (and other) shows to come. Live music is where it’s at. Notable shows in 2024 included Warren Haynes, Dropkick Murphys, Albert Castiglia, Annika Chambers and Paul Delauriers, and so many others.
