In the old days, radio hosts would be first on the non-essential chopping block. Their bar tabs alone.

Now, during a global pandemic, with nothing to announce, no guests to host, radio hosts are deader than a  spread sheet. I should know. Yesterday I interviewed a dog. Problem: I don’t have a dog.

Enter technology and stay-at-home live streaming and Viola! – everybody’s a host! Musicians, painters, chefs, that guy who sheet rocks on acid, my Uncle Bob and his stuffed zucchini garlic recipe (actually killer) – are now hosting us from their living rooms, kitchens, or cluttered safe spaces. They provide us unique entertainment, information and the chance to be a Peeping Tom.

Here at Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, our resident sound wizard, Jeffrey Reed, has sheltered in place and thanks to a world-class recording studio in his home, (lonely host, above) has kept us on the air. Jeffery works on feature films, rock and roll, church services – anything noisy – with his company, Taproot Audio Design. I rather ungraciously refer to it as the “Thacker Shack” but it’s actually a spacious two-story home surrounded by rolling pastureland.

Thanks to Jeffrey, and the resourcefulness of our April guests, we have a show and I don’t have to babble to stray dogs.

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This Saturday (April 18) we’ll pay tribute to the late bluesman, Big George Brock, with an encore performance of Thacker’s April 2018 performance at the Juke Joint Festival at the New Roxy Theatre in Clarksdale, MS. 

Author Roger Stolle played a big role in Big George’s comeback. He produced three of his albums, booked him overseas and left a cush corporate gig in Ohio to move to Clarksdale, MS to champion the blues on a daily basis. Don’t miss his moving testimony on Saturday’s show.

Last but perhaps, most, we’ll have the rocking boogie of Mr. Do-It-Yourself himself, James “Super Chikan” Johnson. Chikan plays slide guitar like lightning but even cooler, he makes his own guitars out of car parts, cigar boxes and yes, toilet seats! Don’t sit on this!

We love yall!

Stay home – stay tuned! Crank it on the couch!

J.D.

Air date: Mississippi: Saturday, April 18 at 7 pm: Mississippi Public Broadcasting

Alabama: Saturday, April 18 at 9 pm: Alabama Public Radio

This week’s guests:

Author: Roger Stolle (“Mississippi Juke Joint Confidential: House Parties, Hustlers & the Blues Life”)

Music: Big George Brock and James ‘Super Chikan’ Johnson

Hosts: Jim Dees and our house band, the Yalobushwhackers

 

Enjoy the show and stay safe, everyone!