Airwaves

by Brian Goslow

There's a new music-video program on local television. Video Jam, hosted by Christina Ria, recently debuted on WCCA-TV 13, Worcester community cable access channel. The show features videos, many of them from independent labels not regularly seen on MTV. Ria plans to showcase local musicians, area clubs, and the upcoming Locobazooka festival. Video Jam airs Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m., Saturdays at 11 p.m., and Sundays at 9 p.m.

TONI BALLAD'S STUDIO 3 features Tom Morley and 78 RPM's 1997 Jazz at Sunset appearance this Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. on WGMC-TV 3. Seaside Recording artist Steve Marvin, who's at Shorah's Restaurant on September 3, will be featured along with the Mac Chrupcala Trio the week of August 31, while the music of Benny Goodman lives through the magic of clarinetist Harry Skoler during the week of September 7. Studio 3 airs every Monday at 8:30 p.m., on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., and on Thursday at 9:30 p.m.

RICHARD FOX continues to book many of the country's top acoustic performers on his Tuesday morning CrossTracks heard from 6 to 9 a.m. on WCUW (91.3 FM). Next Tuesday, he'll be visited (around 7:30 a.m.) by Boston's Terry Kitchen, who'll perform tracks from blanket (urban campfire). "He's a writer of songs of the common human experience who takes ordinary experience and finds moments of extraordinary insight into contemporary life," explains Fox. "He's also a fine guitar player with a smooth, easy vocal style to deliver his messages."

Nashville's John McVey is featured on September 8. "He's a gem of a performer, passionate and genuine. Not only is John a writer of clever, insightful lyrics, he is also a skilled interpreter of classic songs. I expect some surprises and novel perspectives."

Throughout August, Fox has played music by Boston's Laurie Geltman, "a powerhouse performer capable of easing into an earthy ballad or [of] belting out a fiery rocker." She'll be in the WCUW studios on September 15. "She's a reflective writer who draws you in with her vivid images of life in the `90s. Her songs, guitar, and vocals get you moving and keep you thinking." Her 1997 No Power Steering CD was reissued earlier this year by Eastern Front Records.

The following week, Fox trades places with Thursday host Dominick Marcigliano and interviews another Boston artist, Jon Carmen, on September 24. "He's is a keen observer of contemporary life," says Fox. "Jon's songs are genuine and compassionate and are delivered with subtle, graceful vocals augmented by his sleek guitar style." Carmen has just released his second CD.

Compass recording artist Dana Cooper is spotlighted on September 29. "He's a veteran player who's spent considerable time in Texas and now makes his home in Nashville. Dana is an intelligent, perceptive writer, a poet who is a driven, potent performer and a renown writer in Texas as part of the Shake Russell-Dana Cooper Band [Austin City Limits] and DC3. He has returned to his roots as a solo performer tying together his diverse influences. And he has a sense of humor." Catch Cooper live at Cafe Fantastique on October 3. "He's a genuine, major talent, we're lucky to have him visit our town."

Throughout September, Fox will feature selections from poet Tim Mason's Bloodlines (TM) CD. The former Old Vienna Kaffeehaus impresario is backed by Geoff Bartley. "Bloodlines is a tapestry woven of Tim's stirring personal words and Geoff's musical reflections. It's an exciting recording with much to say -- and feel."