1997 is when I arrived on the shores of Boston, driving across the country from California. While I grew up in Los Angeles, my favorite part of California is the Central Coast. That was my home for over seven years before coming out to Boston. Most of that time was spent with the late great KOTR-FM, a station in the beautiful little town of Cambria situated between the pines and the sea. It was at KOTR (aka, K-OTTER since it was located off an Otter game refuge) where I learned of many WUMB core artists. Here’s a sample: Greg Brown, EmmyLou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, Richard Thompson, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, John Prine, Peter Case, Ry Cooder, the Seldom Scene, Lucinda Williams, Chris Smither, John Hiatt, Willy Porter. Swirl in album cuts of vintage rockers with a healthy dose of New Orleans music, Blues, plus a dash of reggae and that was K-OTTER.

I’ve been fortunate to work in Radio with many people whose knowledge of music has gone far beyond what’s on the charts. That continued in Boston with stints at WXRV “The River”, WZLX, and of course now at WUMB. But at WUMB, that enthusiasm for the connections and variations in the music is also greatly reflected in the music we play on the air.

Between the trailblazers of the 1960’s, the newer artists carrying the torch, and the plethora of great local artists we play, listening to WUMB is a pleasurable learning experience.

It is an honor and a pleasure to be a part of that experience on the inside of your speakers.