14.02.12 California Diner - 'The Twirlie Awards!'

Tuesday Night Diner

No, it’s not the Grammy Awards show. But it is a music awards show, and it does come from the same state--California, of course! I have an annual tradition of missing the Grammy Awards show. Not because it’s a political statement; more because I’m usually not interested. Well apparently, for the first time in a long time, it appears that I really missed a great show! Heartfelt tributes to the late great Whitney Houston, who passed away so young, this past weekend. A 50th anniversary Beach Boys reunion, where three originals and two almost-originals put aside differences and made music. (And don’t forget that California Diner playlist favorite Nelson Bragg played drums in that stellar ensemble!) And in what has been making the rounds amongst music fans as perhaps one of the all time great acceptance speeches, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl reminded us what’s important about music--you could almost hear him saying “Music needs to be driven, not controlled”. I should have watched it this year. Well, I guess that’s why the good Lord invented YouTube, isn’t it? Every year, I do a little awards show of my own on my other show, Twirl Radio. It’s called the Twirlie Awards, and it’s a celebration of some of the top indie music to grace my playlists during the prior year. We honor such categories as Album and Song of the Year, Male and Female Vocalists of the Year, Best Songwriting, etc. And the great thing is that all these artists being honored have been played frequently right here on Recharged Radio’s California Diner, so it’s completely appropriate that I share this event with you. What better time to share the love than on Valentine’s Day? Why not--these great indie musicians have given us the gift of great music all year long, so the least we can do is pass out some awards. We’ll start off by visiting with San Francisco Bay Area musician Kate Burkart, as sort of a warmup for the festivities. And then the awards will fly, fast and furious. So much so that I’ll need help from my co-host, Amber “Waitress Shirley” Alexander, and three tough guy accountants who keep us honest. Don’t miss it. Because unlike the Grammies, this won’t be on YouTube anytime soon. Hey! Recharged Radio now has a magazine! It’s a free monthly music e-zine called Sound of the Suburbs (not to be confused with our radio show of the same name--oh heck, go ahead and confuse it--we don’t mind!) It’s our joint effort with our friends at Perfect Pop Co-Op. You can get it on the left hand side of the home page of Recharged Radio. Just scroll down a bit, and get reading! If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com. See you then! Chef Mike mike(at)rechargedradio.com MN2BDNC Album of the Year Maxi Dunn, for her album The Neglected Gambit Album of the Year Runner up Vegas With Randolph, for their album Above The Blue Song of the Year The Whiskey Saints, for their song Every Little Thing Song of the Year Runner up Blake Jones and Tom Magill, for their song Life Turns On A Dime Female Vocalist of the Year Emily Zuzik Male Vocalist of the Year Bud Rogers Ear Candy Laurie Biagini, for her album A Go-Go Girl In A Modern World Best Debut Album The Big I Am, for their album Collecting Skies Best Songwriting Sal Valentino/John Blakeley, for Sal’s album Dreamin’ Man Producer of the Year (tie) Peter Hackett, for Maxi Dunn’s album The Neglected Gambit Producer of the Year (tie) Wim Oudijk, for The Big I Am’s album Collecting Skies Best Line In A Song Juan Mazzola of Baby Scream, for his song The Last Call. The line was “I wouldn’t care about tomorrow, tomorrow never cared for me.” “I shouldn’t care about your sorrow, sorrow never cared for me.” I’m a little disappointed with you….” Best Interview, phone Duncan Faure (former Bay City Roller, now solo artist), 3/12/2011 Best Interview, in-studio Blake Jones & The Trike Shop, 10/22/2011 Best Live Session Skip Heller and Debora Iyall, Shine Cafe, Sacramento, 10/29/2011 Best Rock And Roll Moment 1. Japan Radiothon 2011 2. Writing liner notes for Above The Blue by Vegas With Randolph 3. Getting to hear sneak preview of Debora Iyall’s remake of her Romeo Void song A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)–on her Ipod 4. Reaching 500th show in May 5. Emceeing for the Corner Laughers at their Sacramento gig Top Albums of 2011: 1. Maxi Dunn – The Neglected Gambit 2. Vegas With Randolph – Above The Blue 3. The Big I Am – Collecting Skies 4. The Handcuffs – Waiting For The Robot 5. Bud Rogers – Whiteout 6. Baby Scream – Secret Place 7. Emily Zuzik Band – The Wild Joys Of Living 8. Bill Mumy – Until The Big Bang Whimpers 9. The Whiskey Saints – 24 Hours 10. Anton Barbeau – Psychedelic Mynde Of Moses Top Songs of 2011: 1. The Whiskey Saints – Every Little Thing 2. Blake Jones & Tom Magill – Life Turns On A Dime 3. Braam – Burlington Northern 4. The Big I Am – Collecting Skies 5. Maxi Dunn – Make It Better 6. Mad Mush – Silent Snowfall 7. Scott Brookman – The Man From Operations 8. Popdudes – Desperation Time 9. Rob Swanson/Dennis Holseybrook – Rust 10. Agony Aunts – Me Being Maximum 11. John York and Kim Fowley – Angels And Trucks 12. Laurie Biagini – My Little SUV 13. Cult Of Wedge – The Birds and the Bees and Jaime 14. Anton Barbeau – Skunk Hungarian 15. Ben Swidenbank – Leave That Animal Behind 16. Baby Scream – The Last Call 17. The Scratch – Homely Crackle 18. The Britannicas – Bleed Between The Lines 19. Joe Symes – Lost Along The Way 20. Lannie Flowers – Turn Up Your Radio