Host: Guitar Shop Radio (since 1996). Every Sunday from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. PST.
On Freeform Portland Since: 2019
Instagram: @guitarshopradioshow
Tell me about the role that music plays in your life and why it’s important to you.
Even as a small child, our family always played records and listened to the radio. Music was a refuge, a magic place for me. It still is. I can’t imagine my life without it. I wouldn’t want to.
How did you discover Freeform Portland and why did you decide to volunteer with the station?
Lee (original Freeform Portlander and former board member) and I worked at Portland State University in neighboring departments. One day, we were chatting and I mentioned that I was involved with KPSU, Portland State University’s radio station. Lee replied that they were involved in starting a new non-commercial radio station in town. This was around 2015 or so. I went to a couple of general meetings in February and March of 2016, right before the transmitter went up. Life got busy, and fast forward to early 2019: One of my radio buddies from KPSU now had a show at Freeform Portland, and he reached out to me to apply (thank you, Ricardo Wang!). I wanted to be on terrestrial airwaves again since KPSU is online only.
Tell me about your show.
Guitar Shop Radio just celebrated its 30th anniversary on June 18th! It started in Corvallis, Oregon, at KBVR FM, Oregon State University’s radio station in 1996. That summer, I moved to Portland and was hired at Portland State University. I found out they had a radio station, so I applied and the show landed there.
Guitar Shop Radio is all about guitar–specifically, guitar virtuosos and/or well-respected in various genres: rock, jazz, blues, classical, folk, acoustic, electric, experimental. Sometimes play singer songwriters as well. It runs the gamut from early jazz and blues to today.
Finish this sentence: “Freeform Portland is…”
Freeform Portland is . .. a wonderful radio station, truly dedicated to the spirit of freeform radio. I’m happy to be a part of it.
Three songs you’re digging right now
La Malaguena by Sue Foley. Sue’s a Canadian guitarist who started out playing the blues 30 years ago. This is from her 2024 album One Guitar Woman. It’s a cover of a classical/flamenco piece that pretty much is a guitar standard. She does an excellent job of it.
Oregon by Stephen Bennett. He’s a harp guitarist who’s been around for awhile. This is from his River album. He wrote it on the Oregon coast, with his grandfather’s guitar. It’s a really lovely piece, and it totally captures the feel of the coast.
Congo Square by Sonny Landreth. Sonny is from New Orleans, and he’s a master of the slide guitar. This song is about Congo Square in New Orleans.
Can you share a favorite musical memory?
I’ll pick one from my childhood. I spent many happy hours in my basement listening to records and letting the music take me elsewhere. My sister and I had all the Beatles 45s when they came out, so everytime I hear an old Beatles song, it takes me right back to childhood.
Tell me about some musical artists that inspire you. Wow, so many! Especially the women guitarists who didn’t get as much attention as they should have. I’ll just name a few: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of Rock and Roll, Jennifer Batten, the all-woman band Fanny, so many others.
If you could create your own personal concert, including artists who have passed, who would be some of the headliners and why?
Again, far too many to mention – that would be more like a book! I’ll name just a couple off the top of my head: Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. I remember when they died, and it was just after they died that I started paying attention to their music. They were both such trailblazers in their own way.
Why is freeform, community radio important to you? To your community?
I’m old enough to remember when freeform radio first started in Philadelphia, and that sort of radio, where the DJ picks the songs and creates an experience for the listener, is what I grew up with. Also – and I can’t stress this enough – a WIDE variety of music, sometimes all in the same show. So, for a radio station to be dedicated to this 24/7 is like coming home for me. I think it’s extremely important for the community, because songs and music speak to people’s souls, and they will hear something that resonates with them. It’s giving back to the listener.
What is a genre/artist/record that some might be surprised to find in your collection?
I don’t know if it would be surprising, but recently, I’ve been enamored of country singer Ella Langley and her massive hit song “Choosing Texas”.
Given everything happening in the world today, what’s one song you turn to for comfort or inspiration?
American Tune by Paul Simon. It’s a sad song, but I find comfort in it.
Tips for aspiring DJs?
Radio is magic! And radio is fun. Don’t worry if you make a mistake – just keep going. Be enthusiastic about the music you’re playing.
