My Summit Highlights of 2009

It's December and I'm looking back at all the great people I've met and have gotten to know since I started volunteering this year at The Summit, like the wonderful staff, on-air personalities and specialty program hosts, members, volunteers, and you never know when The Woovs might show up! Of all the awesome Studio C performances I've experienced this year, I'd say my most memorable and moving was Matisyahu. Coming up in a few days is the 2nd Annual Summit Member Family Event, with ice-skating, food, and music by BE Mann. Can't wait to see you there!

BTW: did you know there are nearly 1000 91.3 the Summit Facebook followers? There are a lot of great comments there as well. Drop a line here or there sometime, and get to know your fellow Summit fans.

New Music Question

First, I'd like to say how much I enjoy listening to the Summit and I am an active member. Although there is a lot of good music played, I'm wondering why don't I hear more of certain artists, like The Script, BellX1, Alternate Routes. I really like what you've played by these artists, but they must have at least one or two additional songs that are radio worthy.

Also, the Studio C performances are great, but will they be available on your website for listeners to enjoy anytime?

Keep doing what your doing, but there's always room for improvement.

Anonymous from Akron

What's on Your Mind?

Summit listeners, this is your outlet to voice your likes or dislikes about 91.3. Is there something you'd like to hear more of, or less of? Have you enjoyed the Studio C performances? Have you been to any Summit gatherings? Have you seen the El Camino out and about lately?

Summit members, you have the power to help shape the future of this unique radio station. Spread the word via Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and Flickr. You are 91.3 The Summit!

Now Our Stereo System's Complete

My wonderful husband John has hooked up a Mac Airport Express.  I don't know the technical magic involved but it allows us to listen to 91.3 The Summit's HD channels on the stereo, instead of just online.  There is nothing wrong with listening online, but it's so much better to experience great music through your home stereo system.  We live near enough to Akron to pick up The Summit on the stereo, with John's antenna installation, but I so love the HD2 channel which plays the music from the late 70s through the early 90s.  The music that turned John and I on to WAPS in the first place, all those years ago.  

Now we always have something awesome to listen to, and it's all 91.3 baby! 

Show Your Summit Spirit Wherever You Go

Share your travel tales, or how you enjoy down- time while listening to The Summit, and a photo with the 91.3 logo.   My husband and I and our three children have just returned from a memorable trip to Italy.  I thought it would be nice to have our picture taken in front of the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, while holding a Summit logo that I had cut from a bag.  Next trip, I'll try to make sure that the logo is more visible.  Wouldn't it be cool to see where in the world people are loving The Summit?  Maybe even in your own backyard.  Send your photo stories to summitblog@gmail.com or to The Summit's Flickr page. 

Roo Wrap-up

Well, Bill and I survived the Bonnaroo Festival and we're back in Akron (although I should mention that due to a few incidents involving a tour bus bunk, I nearly didn't make it, and Bill developed a serious addiction to samosas which almost prevented him from voluntarily returning to Ohio).

I know Bill had a lot of cool experiences (hanging out with Alejandro Escovedo and his band was a highlight, I believe) and he's writing about those here.

I've been to the festival four times now, and I've seen a lot of crazy stuff, but I have to say that every year something new and cool happens that I never expected.

Musically speaking, my favorite experiences were seeing Phoenix, Grizzly Bear and Rodrigo y Gabriela for the first time, and seeing of Montreal for the fourth (their stage show is bizarre and always interesting; this time it included crowd surfing, people in pig costumes and instrument demolition).

On Sunday night, we happened to be hanging around the radio camp when backstage passes for Phish got handed out. Having been backstage at the Main Stage last year, I knew Bill and I had to go. Bill was a little doubtful, but when we got up there and looked out over the thousands of crazy Phish fans he understood why I was so anxious to go up there.

Earlier in the day, Bill happened to start a conversation with one of Bruce Springsteen's security guards (apparently the Boss was checking out some live music) and found out that he might be joining Phish onstage that night.

Sure enough, Bruce came out and played three songs with Phish: Mustang Sally, Bobby Jean and Glory Days. We had a prime spot to see the whole thing backstage and got some great pictures.

That was the last show of the festival and a great way to wrap up Bonnaroo 2009. I can't wait to see what kind of stops they pull out next year!



(Don't forget to check out our Flickr page for more pictures)

Radio Bonnaroo!

Yes, the festival has it's own radio station (and it's own newspaper, post office and ferris wheel, but that's another story).

It's called Radio Bonnaroo and it's run by DJs from across the country who choose all the music you hear. Tonight I will make my second appearance on the station from 6 to 8 pm Eastern time (right before Springsteen show - I keep telling people I'm opening for Springsteen).

It'll be weird, probably messy, and musically interesting, but definitely fun. You can join me and listen online at www.fantasyradio.com. Just click on the link for Radio Bonnaroo halfway down the page.

Tune in tonight!