The Will He or Won't He Show, Part II

Last week's Steel Belted Radio sure was something, wasn't it? Who'da thunk that all of them guests would actually show up as planned? Not me! Well, what kind of surprise does this week hold in store? At this point, it's still not certain. Follow this tale, if you will:

First, the station gets an email from none other than Martin Sexton's "people" asking if we'd like him to come in the studio for a live appearance while he's in town. Program Director Michael instantly recalls what a super-nerd I am, and asks if I'm interested.

Interested? Sexton is one of the most unique and powerful performers I've ever heard. When he was busy blowing minds at the Winnipeg Folk Festival the first time he appeared, I was right in on the ground floor. I couldn't believe how he manipulated and managed his voice, and those songs... Needless to say, I was a big fan. I saw Martin at the West End a couple of times after that and he was always amazing. Then something strange happened. He signed with a label, got himself a big name producer, and, well, he got a little weird on us. He made some albums that I don't consider all-time classics, and put on some shows that were, how shall we say, interesting. Eventually that experiment fell flat, the label sent him packing, the big name producer forgot who he is, and Marty went back out doing shows the old way, with a guitar, an amazing voice, and a powerful stage presence. He's been coming around in a big way in the past couple of years, first with "Seeds," by far his best CD since "Black Sheep" the album that blew me away and that I've listened to, oh, about a BILLION TIMES. Last year he released "Solo" which puts him back in solo, acoustic mode, singing and playing the songs that I fell in love with in the first place, and if you ask me, it's about damn time. Now, he's coming back to town for his biggest show ever at the Walker Theatre tomorrow night, and what do you know, he wants to talk to me. I'm in.

The thing is, Marty's guy wants to do the interview at 4, and he insists that it airs before the concert, so I can't just pre-tape for one of my regular shows. Now, I've got me a "day job" and I don't get out until almost 4. I ask if 4:30 will do and get stone cold silence all around. Not wanting to blow this great opportunity, I take the day off to make sure I can get there by 4. Everyone likes a day off, but it's a lot of work to prepare (far more work than just doing it myself) and I like my job, so I don't do it often. Michael arranges for us to be on air any time between 4:30 and 6, which is great. I figure either I'll get Martin in at 4, tape an interview, and have it on air by 5, or, even better, Martin will come in and we'll do it live at 4:30. Either way, I'm covered, right?

Well today, I confirm with Martin's "guy" that I'll be there at 4, but 4:30 would be easier and would have us on air earlier. That's when I get the line that I've come to dread. "Scheduling problem." Turns out, now, the guy who SUGGESTED THE INTERVIEW IN THE FIRST PLACE, isn't sure that Martin can make it in. Wants to know if I'll do a phoner with songs off the CD. Gimme a break. I told him that if I were going to do a phoner, I would have done it on Sunday, and I certainly wouldn't have taken a day off work. I tell him that either Martin gets his butt in to the studio or I pass.

Silence again. And that's where it sits, folks. I'd love to tell you to tune in tomorrow to hear an interview with one of my favourite performers of all time, but I'm not feeling like it'll happen. You can try at 4:30, maybe even 5, to see if something comes of it, or else you can just wait to hear the highlights on SBFRR this week. Me, I'm kind of hoping to just take a walk or something at this point. The weather's finally good, and I got me a new baby carrier deal, so if Sexton's a no-show, I'm not going to lose sleep.

There's the deal. I'll for sure be able to fit Steel Belted Radio and Tell the Band to Go Home into my schedule, problems or no. Hope you'll join me for one of those. Oh, and go see Martin tomorrow if you're so inclined. Ask him what he did that afternoon, if you see him, will ya?

Hey, on a more positive note, did you see the press release from our friends at the West End today? You know, the one about their grand re-opening? The one where headliners include Hawksley Workman, Danny Michel, and Tell the Band to Go Home? Seriously! Tickets go on sale this Saturday, and for once, I don't have to worry about getting a seat, because mine's on the frickin' stage! http://www.wecc.ca/site/perfs/Songwriters_in_the_Round.html