Uncommon Music - Radio Shows

Written By: Nichole Wagner

What do Bob Dylan, Alice Cooper and Tom Petty have in common?
Other than the obvious answers (they're all rock stars, they're all
men, they're all unconventionally sexy) they all have their own
radio shows.

There's something about getting inside these brilliant people's
slightly twisted minds while listening to some superb music that is
enlightening and quite amusing.

They've got their own brand of slightly-stoned humor and on
occasion there's some social commentary mixed in with the tidbits
that only they could share.

It doesn't seem like either Tom Petty or Bob Dylan would be prime
candidates for a radio show. After all, both have the reputation of
mumbling and rambling incoherently on-stage but somehow they
get it together when the "on-air" sign lights up.

Alice Cooper actually masquerades as a honest-to-goodness radio
DJ on his FM syndicated "Nights with Alice Cooper". There's the
obligatory stories and call-ins, quizzes and giveaways. There's a
good chance of learning random facts such as Alice's run for
president, love of golf or time on the road.
He's on weeknights, check your local listings at his show website.

If falling asleep with Alice in your ears isn't enough, you can wake
up with him too. Breakfast with Alice is on Sunday mornings.

Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour is on Wednesdays all-day on XMX
(Ch. 2). His themes are random and include shoes, days of the
week, baseball, coffee, cars, and jail. Each show, Dylan picks
songs and stories that match the theme. Fun stuff.

Tom takes a cue from Dylan for his XM show, Buried Treasure.
Basically, he dips into his record collection and bootleg archive and
spins things you've never heard and never will hear again. He
narrates his choices with wit and quirk. It's on all-day Thursdays
on XMX (Ch. 2).

If you're not exhausted after hours of Tom, Bob and Alice, Marty
Stuart and Bill Anderson also have XM shows.

Also, Roger McGuinn runs his Folk Den with MP3s and guitar tabs
for some great gems from the folk world.