Come back Saturday September 17 for the Return of Cold Spring Radio!
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Sure would be nice cuz wotta summer it's been for local music so far!

~The Summer Music Series at the Gazebo.
~Jazz Thursdays at Silver Spoon with Rob Schepps.
~A New Saturday Open Mic Night also at the Spoon.
~The usual fare at Whistling Willies.
~Plus the one-off musical events that make our village so special.
COLD SPRING RADIO SHOULD BE A PART OF IT!!!

But instead we have that lovely multi-media exhibition courtesy of Philipstown Dot Info whose audio drowned out my station. (I've  heard that people complained so they were forced to lower the volume. Gee, why didn't *I* think of complaining so that maybe, just maybe,  Dot Info publisher Gordon Stewart would reconsider his self-serving agenda and allow CSR to continue? Let's just say this wasn't his first display of inconsideration....)

Imagine the nerve...not only has Mr. Stewart never expressed ANY remorse for what his actions contributed to my decision to vacate 69 Main, he actually sent me an email suggesting we issue a "joint" statement that it was a "mutual" decision that I move out. I said no because T'WASNT NUTTIN' MUTUAL ABOUT IT, PAL and I, for one, believe in truthfulness.

BTW, the only reason he emailed is because I submitted a comment about his "Who Is Philipstown?" exhibit to his online paper which, according to him, met all the criteria for publication. But even though he SAID he would print it, over a month later, still nothing. Maybe you should rethink that "philipstown.info welcomes comments from all" statement on your home page, Mr. Stewart, since it obviously isn't true. hmmm....wonder what OTHER comments Dot Info hasn't published?....

But I shouldn't be surprised. More than a few people have told me they've walked into my old space and inquire as to my whereabouts and are told they have no idea why I left or that I just left without giving a reason. WHAT UTTER CRAP!!

Guess I'm still a little bitter, eh? I thought I'd be over it by now. And I am doing better. I think. Someone recently emailed me and said "...you were doing it (CSR) as a labor of love and it's hard to give up love no matter the consequences" Man, he got THAT right. The past month has been like a grieving process. I put SO much effort into CSR. I was all set to take it to the next phase THE VERY NEXT WEEK with new programs, a 7-day-a-week broadcast schedule. Emotions like shock, anger, sadness, etc have all come into play.

People have made offers for me to share their space on Main Street. But I'm gun-shy. I trusted who I was renting from before. I understand business, but it would have been nice to have some warning about the speakers. How different things might have been if I'd been approached beforehand. Maybe there COULD have been some compromise. As for the vacancies that are  currently available on Main Street, a little out of my price range. 

About the future of CSR, I would be open to partnering with someone who shares my dream for Cold Spring Radio. Someone with as strong a passion for music as I have and a desire to fulfill the station's mission: Finding heretofore undiscovered music and providing a voice for all. Man, if you could've seen what was in the planning stages....Maybe some day CSR will return?

In the interim, I've kept busy; got some other creative things happening. And I'm back on WVKR 91.3FM  Saturdays 1-3pm www.wvkr.org Poughkeepsie. Plus I'm closer to making contact with my biological half-brother who is the son of you-know-who, which is kinda cool!

Meanwhile, thanks to those of you who've expressed your support. The music on Cold Spring Radio continues to stream online, but is likely to end soon. Please feel free to leave a comment. Unlike some local media, I do not censor.
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I've really appreciated the show of support via Emails and the posts on this Blog page. I've also had generous offers to broadcast part time in other Main Street businesses and one new merchant has even offered to rent me space in her new antique/furniture enterprise opening next month! Not sure that's the right venue for a radio station, however....And one kind soul even offered her 2nd floor apartment for the month of July! Gotta love it!!

But I'm still feeling a little burned.
This will be the 3rd weekend that I won't be broadcasting from 69 Main. This was also supposed to be the first week of DAILY live broadcasts from that location. I still wake up thinking "Oh, I've got to do this and that to prepare for Cold Spring Radio" until reality hits. On top of that, the Summer Music Series starts this Sunday and that was one of the main reasons for starting this endeavor last summer, promoting and booking performers from that. So I'm feelin' kinda down, to be honest....

I moved out of 137 Main when the series ended with the hope that I might resurface somewhere else on Main Street. 69 Main seemed like the ideal situation as I was a supporter of Philipstown Dot Info--I still wish our online newspaper success, in fact. I really enjoyed my time there for the most part, getting to know so many of YOU, exposing and being exposed to so much great new music,-- both local and non--as well as those 60s and 70s gems. It was suggested recently in an email that perhaps there were OTHER reasons for me vacating 69 Main rather than the ones cited in the post below. I can't tell you how insulting that was; had the person had any clue as to what goes on to put on an endeavor like Cold Spring Radio--oh wait he does! If you're reading this, sir, you know who you are.

When and if I DO start this venture up again, I will be very cautious about who I choose to align myself with. I will strive to make Cold Spring Radio even better than it was. I do believe there are plenty of decent and talented folks who continue to inspire us all and I will do my best to see that we get to know as many of them as possible.

Meanwhile, there's Open Mics and Live Music at Willies, jazz concerts coming to Silver Spoon, possible music happening at The Living Room and the aforementioned Summer Music Series at the gazebo. I'll be there for the opening this Sunday, July 10 to catch the rockin' GREYHOUNDS for sure. Hope to see you there too!!

Thanks again~sam
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Since October, 2010, I’d been renting space from Gordon Stewart, publisher of Philipstown Dot Info at 69 Main Street  and just hours ago, I removed the last of my things from the building . The goal of Cold Spring Radio has always been to showcase seldom-heard music, be it current or vintage—much of it local—and to give voice to the many creative folks in our area with an “open mic” format that also incorporated tourists on weekends expressing their views about Cold Spring and beyond. I didn’t want CSR to look “high tech” (so as to keep with the village charm) despite the station’s dependance on 21st century technology. That’s why you saw old time record album covers as décor as opposed to something flashier. And people responded! Listenership was growing to a point where I was finally able to solicit advertising to support this endeavor—prior to that it was a labor of love, with the only “income” generated from donations that would get you a T-shirt and my profound gratitude.

How quickly things can change in such a short period of time.

It  was exactly a month ago that Ken and Jeannie Veltz and I were watching the finale of “American Idol”, having  just finished another productive meeting about Ken’s “Song Nest” project—weekly live performances at the soon-to-be-opened Living Room on Main Street and broadcast on Cold Spring Radio!  With the CSR website getting over 100 hits now on a regular basis--especially when there was live programming--it was time to expand and in short order I had lined up Jennifer Clair to do a Cooking show, Ray Wilson to do a Blues show, and Owen Cottle to do a Gardening show. In addition, the Poets Read Poetry events were proving to be very popular and initial meetings with Irene O’Garden to feature more Spoken Word programs were inching closer to reality. Next up—a Game Show ala “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” and a Young People’s !ssues & Entertainment program!

But then the bottom fell out. Ken and Jeannie abruptly announced their plans to leave Cold Spring (they will be missed) and Gordon Stewart announced his plans to feature an exhibition at 69 Main Street spotlighting Philipstown.

The exhibition would incorporate 2 large screen TVs—one in the back of our shared space and one in the window with an outdoor speaker broadcasting into the street. I learned there was an audio component less than a week ago, June 18th when I arrived to set up and found my area—the one I pay rent for-- in disarray as a result of the exhibit’s installation. It wasn’t the first time my space had been infringed upon; indeed, despite my posted schedule, Gordon Stewart had allowed his staff to schedule other goings-on to be conducted when I’m broadcasting such as Uncle Wade music rehearsals, the Creative Splash project ,and Dot Info interviews where I was asked (politely) to be quiet so as not to disturb the proceedings. In the spirit of compromise, I expressed my annoyance but allowed these endeavors to go on, even managing to turn the Creative Splash project into quite the special radio event!

But when I mentioned to Gordon Stewart that perhaps, just maybe, the idea of 2 competing videos—one on a repeating 5 minute loop, no less—might disturb the proceedings of a live radio broadcast, I was told with a smile that I was so good at what I do that I would be able to make it work—after all, look how well the actors of the recent fine production of “The Seagull” did performing amidst environmental noise outdoors!

Well, I do perform amidst environmental noise. Constantly. Motorcycle revving, babies crying, parents screaming—all part of a day’s work and I do incorporate that the best I can. But 2 TVs blaring while people including myself are trying to enjoy the music—2 TVs blaring while musicians try to play live—2 TVs blaring while in-studio guests offer their views—all this is picked up by the microphones and heard by listeners.

I know this to  be true because I agreed to a test run last Sunday--with only ONE TV going. And while I’m all about compromise (see above), this was one I was simply not willing to make.

In what I hoped would be a similar spirit of compromise, I offered suggestions that the audio be muted when I’m on the air. No, though Gordon Stewart’s assistant Michele (love her) graciously offered to lower the volume if she knew I had a guest scheduled in advance. Fine for that, but not for the walk-ins, and not for those of us trying to enjoy the music. I also suggested captioning or headphones for the TVs. No and No again.

So there you have it. The decision to move out was mine; I was not asked to leave, at least not in so many words. The station will continue to broadcast music while I decide what to do next.  But it won’t be the same. Yes, I *could* do live broadcasts from home, but the magic of Cold Spring Radio at 69 Main Street was YOU: the people who emailed,  who waved as you walked by, who told me you appreciated hearing local artists and rarely heard oldies, who told me you liked my album cover window displays.  I don’t  know what will take their place.

The name of Gordon Stewart’s exhibit is “Who Is Philipstown?”. I, for better or worse, now have a clearer answer to that question. And I didn’t need a video to tell me.
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Some great live performances on CSR this weekend. Susan English & Margaret Vetare, billing themselves as Gillian's Island (get it?) dueted on guitar and bass (we're talkin' BIGASS bass) while Margaret along with John McGrath (Tina & The Knife Throwers) did a couple numbers as well. They were part of the Philipstown Relay For Life which I heard did very well raising money for cancer fighting awareness and cures.

Also on Saturday, 2 actors from "The Seagull" stopped by (see post below). Carl Howell and Kelsey Landon are a couple to watch out for. I don't mean they're a COUPLE-couple...or maybe they are. They have wonderful chemistry ONstage, that's for sure. Go see 'em! Haldane student Tyler Mell, who sometimes hangs out on the mic at CSR, and is poised to become a regular if he keeps it up, is involved as well.

Speaking of young people, on Sunday June 5, it was a very special Young People's Day at Cold Spring Radio. Local jazz chanteuse Anita Merando arranged for several youthful performers ranging in age from 9 to 18 drop by and most sang as well as chatted with me on the air. What a delight they all were! It gives one hope for the musical future, it really does that we won't be forever subjected to Kardashians and Lil Jays et al dominating the airwaves! Thanks to Aurora Strauss, Jacob Bernz, Ava Fisherman, Daniela Rainey, and Grainye Daily for taking the time to stop by (thanks to their supportive parents as well!)

Following my stint at CSR Sunday, Stan and I headed over to Cat Rock (wotta view!) for the Desmond Fish Library Awards Dinner fundraiser. Local musical faves Art and Stacy Labriola took home The Patricia Adams Award and Stacy delivered a humorous song as part of her acceptance speech to the delight of everyone in attendance, including Alice Curtis Desmond Award winner Dr. Peter Gergely and  Hamilton Fish Award recipient Phil Donahue who was there with wife Marlo Thomas. I was thrilled to meet her, and she didn't make me feel stupid when I gushed to her how, in 1970, I would rush home from school to catch back-to-back reruns of That Girl and The Dick Van Dyke Show, two sitcoms in syndication that probably went a long way in my decision to move to New York in 1989.  

Another highlight for me that evening was meeting a gentleman named David Kyle. He challenged me to guess his age--92--and was an absolute delight that I truly enjoyed spending time with in conversation. He was a Science Fiction writer--I've provided a link--check him out. 

It occurred to me afterwards that I'd spent time that day with people both about 40 years YOUNGER than me as well as someone about 40 years OLDER than me and found something amazing to take away from BOTH these age groups Wotta great weekend!
 
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Mostly loved "The Seagull" at the Philipstown Depot Theatre in Garrison. Saw it Friday night June 3rd, a cool, breezy evening where Act I takes place outdoors, weather permitting. Perfect night for a picnic. The opening musical number was beautifully rendered and the resulting drama/comedy held my interest amongst the environmental distractions which included barking dogs, aircraft, raucous laughter, and 2 rather mobile children.
 
Act II moves inside, a little stuffy the night I attended, perhaps accounting for my fatigue? Maybe it was the Chekov? Certainly not the acting. Greg Miller of Go Go Pops surprised me with his humorous yet poignant take on his character. Guy's got chops as well as pops! Carl Howell and Kelsey Landon looked and sounded stunning in their roles.

But it was Maia Guest who blew me away with her performance! First time I've seen this actress. Two seperate scenes with Howell and Malachy Cleary (also excellent) reminded me why I love the theater and wished I went more often. Donald Kimmel also stood out as The Doctor.

Kudos to director John Christian Plummer and crew for their efforts. I'm hearing they're extending the run another week. Click on the link above for details.
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Andrea Pines Galgani dropped a bombshell on her neighbors when she announced she was MOVING to North Carolilna in June! Wow, where did that come from? She's been such a vital part of the sidewalk near 69 Main since I set up shop in October and will be missed. Tag Sale went well, though......APG's soon-to-be neighbor in Ashville, NC Cristal Rose Stevens serenaded us live on Saturday's 1976 AM Radio Gold show......Saturday also saw the premiere of Saturday Night Disco! (need a better name) Some good response. We'll do it again THIS Saturday following "The Top 70 from 1970" countdown which starts at 12 noon. That follows an hourlong "Poets Read Poetry" event at 11am..........Natalie Amendola did an ACAPELLA number on Sunday's "69 From 69" program that made me gaga and excited to check out her performance Friday May 27 at the 12 Grapes in Peekskill. (See Events and Gallery pages)......Lots of new music added to the playlist this week including works by regional acts Thomas Earl,  Elly Wininger, Wallace, Ken Veltz (who all played at the FINAL Listening Room event at 69 Main!) plus The Beau Beats and "The Grand Slambovians"! Thanks Joziah and Tink for dropping your new CD off; always good to see you......Not sure how much I'm supposed to say at this point about The Veltzs' new endeavors but I can say how excited I am about the opening of "The Living Room" on Main Street. Got a grand tour yesterday from Natalie and Phillip and I'm psyched!..............Today, Tuesday May 24 is Bob Dylan's 70th birthday. Hope you're enjoying the extra Dylan tunes. Tonight Layah Jane plays at the Foundry. Sorry I'll be in NYC having to miss it but I WILL catch the American Idol finale after that! Lame? Ok. Hey, thanks Molly Strauss for the cookies! And thank YOU for your support!
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Saturday May 14 was "It's Spring In Cold Spring" Day in our town. Organizer Caryn Cannova (though Frozen Berry's Benny Zaren in an Email to me in March insisted it was HIS brainchild)  brought major radio station WHUD to Cold Spring. Shopkeepers chipped in X amount of dollars to have 100.7 set up a booth on the corner of 9D & Main. A raffle took place; an 'HUD street team made the rounds (I never saw anyone, though I was looking) I heard the promo on their station on the drive in that morning. Immediately following a detailed promo for Valhalla's "Mamapalooza" (StepAerobics! Live Music! Fun For the Whole Family! ALL DAY TIL 4pm featuring WHUD's own Kacey Morabito from 11 to 1!),
Cold Spring was inserted along with a number of other villages with  events happening that weekend (Stroll down Main Street! Get 10% off gift baskets! Have dinner at a local restaurant! Kacey Morabito will be there from 2 to 4pm!) 

Heard from various merchants afterwards with one seller reporting one of his worst Saturdays ever sales-wise and others thrilled with the response the promotion brought.  Hey I commend people for trying something to bring folks to this wonderful village we call home. But maybe next time, how about involving input from already established LOCAL enterprises who are also struggling to get notice rather than dismissing them?

Quote from unsolicited email from Mr. Zaren who apparently heard I was a bit miffed that I wasn't even invited to be part of the organizing efforts:(SIC)

I understand when you talk about shop local. most of us shop owner do just that if we can, but this is America, and we can shop anywhere we wish, it is our right and it is our freedom.
as far as  if other big shops and companies wish to come to Cold Spring
and set shops here, there is not much that we can do about it...it is part of free enterprise and it is part of what make this country so great.
I will also add that if we decided to use your services, WHUD would NOT
come to us and would ask  "why are you using this Little radio station that no one hear of, by the time you could use us and reach much more listeners?" with all due respect you do understand what i mean here.
   
No, sir, I don't think I do. Wouldn't restaurant owners like to know if The Olive Garden wanted to set up a booth on Main Street? Wouldn't shopkeepers want to be informed that Bed Beth and Beyond planned to operate a kiosk by the train station? Think about it.

Cold Spring Radio exists to satisfy an itch I have to bring neglected music to music junkies like myself and as a byproduct promotes and provides exposure to other creative arts (spoken word, live theater) while drawing people to the shops on Main Street. This is right now an expensive hobby and it should be noted I haven't charged a dime for any of my efforts. (Though Go Go Pops has made a financial contributions in the past--thanks, Lynn Miller-- and donations to the station are always welcome with anything over $20 getting you a CSR T-shirt!) 

I did not make a stink about this WHUD Day In Cold Spring as it was originally called because I was told the promotion was a done deal and I didn't want to do anything that might generate negative publicity for the town or dissuade 'HUD listeners who, granted, greatly outnumber mine.

As I'm sure Dairy Queen brings in more traffic then Frozen Berry.
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Saturday May 14th was "It's Spring In Cold Spring Day" with corporate-run radio station WHUD 100.7 infiltrating our village! But the real radio action happened at Cold Spring Radio this weekend! Aside from peppering "70s On Saturday" with Bobby Darin rarities from his out of print 1972 LP, Saturday started off with a chat with The Beau Beats! Buddy Traina, Mario Trombetta and John Greico generated lots of enthusiasm for their new CD "Now And Then" and performance at Whistling Willies that evening to an SRO crowd, most of whom couldn't sit still during the mix of 60s covers and 80s originals. Among the revelers--members of Painted Betty, Jim Mechalakos, Rick Gedney & Michele Rubin from Open Book  class of '76's Larry Lyons, Kathleen Pemble (good luck on your surgery, darlin'), and Buddy's biggest fan and sweetheart Pattie Traina. Emailers to CSR sensed the joy these guys had in getting back together. Keep rockin'........Then Thomas Earl (Sharrard) returned to Cold Spring for a live chat and performance. Aside from beautiful originals reminiscent of Gordon Lightfoot, Tom delighted with an amazing rendition of "If I Were A Carpenter". Can't wait to see Thomas and others this Wednesday May 18th for the final....yes FINAL Listening Room at 69 Main Street! Organizer Ken Veltz announced on his Facebook page that the May event would be the last one sponsored by philipstown.info. New venue, new radio tie-in: Song Nest! Will CSR figure prominently in that endeavor? It's radio, it's gotta be! Stay tuned..........Saturday concluded with an open house at Bob McCaffrey's Main Street pad--too many locals to mention--and a fundraiser for Haldane students' involvement in "Destination Imagination": Team Pride Of Philipstown with young performers Mackenzie Fariel, Giovanna Pelella, Mikah Haurilak, Grace Campanella, Aurora Straus  entertained at 69 Main. Glad I could see all this budding young talent play live.........Sunday was just as action packed starting off strong with Judy Farrell from the Haldane PTA giving her reasons why folks should get out and vote Tuesday May 17th (today!). Then Cold Springer and heckuva nice n' funny guy Kenn Sapetta stopped by to promote his appearance in Armonk's production of "K-Pax" opening June 3rd. Yes, it's based on the Kevin Spacey movie.........More local theatre tie-ins when "The Seagull" director's John Plummer stopped by with cast members Kelsey Landon and Greg Miller. Dished about behind the scenes at this production opening Friday May 20th--weather permitting Act I takes place OUTDOORS! It's a can't miss! Ticket info http://www.philipstowndepottheatre.org
...........One of the unique aspects of Cold Spring Radio is that Open Mic allows for freedom of expression without censorship. A passerby indentifying himself as Charles from Brooklyn was going to talk about his experience seeing Bobby Darin perform live in the 60s but he quickly launched into an anti-Obama, anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic Church rant sprinkled with offensive characterizations and racist language. His defense was that he fought in Vietnam and is free to say whatever he want. Apparently without regard to fact or the feelings of others. His 12 year old son was sitting quietly on the bench instudio. I asked him what HE thought and after a moment's pause, the lad mumbled "I agree with him." To me, it was his body language and facial expression that spoke volumes. As they left, I asked Charles where he got his information ("Osama-Obama wasn't even BORN in this country") and his answer did not surprise: "I listen to the news! Rush in the morning--Bill and Sean at night! That's all ya need, brother!".............. 

Oh yes, Saturday May 14 was also "Bobby Darin Day" at Cold Spring Radio. Thanks to all who've expressed interest and especially support at the bombshell I unloaded to host Vince Vincent on WVKR's Jukebox Jamboree Friday night, the eve of what would've been Darin's 75th birthday. I'm happy to answer any specific questions anyone has, but hopefully people won't be offended if I don't wish to rehash the whole story in detail. I've had a year and a half to come to grips with the news. Still not sure what the future holds in this regard; am hoping for closure.

Thanks for listening~sam!
OH YEAH VISIT AND LIKE "COLD SPRING RADIO" on FACEBOOK!
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Bobby Darin would have turned 75 years old today had he lived. Check out the window display at 69 Main Street and look real closely at the b/w photos.

Some great 70s BD rarities will  be featured between Noon and 4pm followed by a rebroadcast of the WVKR Bobby Darin program that Vince Vincent's "Jukebox Jamboree" hosted Friday night. That takes place at 4pm today. There's a pretty awesome revelation around 45 minutes into the show so I hope you can tune in.

In between, in-studio visits by the Beau Beats (Whistling Willies tonight 8pm) and Thomas Earl (The Listening Room Wednesday 7:30) sandwiched between AM Radio Gold from the 70s!

Oh yeah, I hear some other radio station is gonna be in town, too. yawn.

But Kacey Morabito--love her!
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