Akus alert

[GVD]

Alison Krauss is set to appear on the Imus in the morning show April 3rd. The radio show is syndicated on stations all over the country and simulcast on MSNBC. Musical guest usually appear for a couple of songs between 7:30 - 8:00 AM EDT and then come back and play most of the 8:00 - 9:00 slot.

GVD

[Ken Berner]

GVD, Thanks for the heads-up. Being retired, I see a lot of Imus, but his taste in music baffles me. He raves about country "artists" that appear on his show that have little talent. He has had good folks on that I like; Vince Gill, Leon Helms, Dwight Yoakam, etc.. An AKUS appearance will put a feather in Don's hat, for sure!

[GVD]

Ken Berner Posted

...I see a lot of Imus, but his taste in music baffles me

You and me both Ken. In addition to the people you've mentioned I've also seen Delbert McClinton do an absolutely killer version of "Dreams to Remember" and Willie Nelson has been good on the IMan too but the new country acts usually stink up the joint and he raves about them too.

Too be fair I did like the Wreckers when they were on but then again they had a mandolin in the band whcih always wins brownie points from me.

GVD

[Ken Berner]

Yeah, Delbert is one of my all-time favorite entertainers, and he has been on Imus several times. He used to front Willie Nelson at concerts back in the early '80s and always provides great music. Although not really country, I've seen it described as "roadhouse music", but whatever label you stick on Delbert McClinton's music, it is worthwhile listening!

[MountainMan]

I've never forgotten the way Imus ran down Johnny Cash. They reviewed his American IV cd and made a lot of comments like "He should have hung it up long ago" and "That's the worst singing I've ever heard." They actually laughed at his version of Bridge Over Troubled Water. This was shortly after Johnny's death if I'm not mistaken. Didn't care much for Imus after that.

[cbogle]

Don't worry, MountainMan....Imus will flip his opinion on Johnny Cash, as he has on countless other musical artists over the years. He's also stated that he hates Bluegrass on several occasions, but he clearly likes Vince Gill, and he will likely gush over AKUS as well.

[Santiago]

Imus is a funny guy who doesn't always think things through -- or at all. I will say, he makes one heck of a good cup of coffee, but no one was ever more aware of Johnny Cash's limitations than was Johnny. He wrote humble little songs that sounded like a lonely train, and yet he managed to say something bigger in his music. Like his friend Dylan, people looked past a tired voice toward an inner spirit.

[blacksmith]

cbogle's signature reminded that if the venetians had not invented blinds it would have been curtains for all of us. Man, this is good cough syrup.

[MountainMan]

Don't worry, MountainMan....Imus will flip his opinion on Johnny Cash, as he has on countless other musical artists over the years. He's also stated that he hates Bluegrass on several occasions, but he clearly likes Vince Gill, and he will likely gush over AKUS as well.
I remember what a flake he was from back when I used to listen to him years ago. He changed his mind more often than he changed his underwear, and I mean that literally (unless he changed his underwear multiple times each show).

[45ACP-GDLF5]

Alison Krauss on Don Imus' show does not impress me. She's stooping very low by appearing on his show, but she'll probably have her bodyguards with her just to try and impress him. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[GVD]

Well I got to see her first song before I had to head out for the salt mines and I must say I wasn't impressed. Flux on a barely audible lap steel and Ron Block on a Telecaster. The band sounded like every other Na$hville new country act out there. Oh well I set the Tivo in the hopes they break out the acoustics in the second hour.

GVD

[Keith Erickson]

I've never forgotten the way Imus ran down Johnny Cash. #They reviewed his American IV cd and made a lot of comments like "He should have hung it up long ago" and "That's the worst singing I've ever heard." #They actually laughed at his version of Bridge Over Troubled Water. #This was shortly after Johnny's death if I'm not mistaken. #Didn't care much for Imus after that.
That just shows you what type of character Imus is. #He's a no good, nasty "son of a gun" who has no class what-so-ever.

I guess I would be just as nasty if I was a no-talent-hack like him with alcohol and bong residue lingering in the ripples of his brain #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Sorry for the rant but I have been a Johnny Cash fan since I was 4 or 5 years old. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

NOTE: Spelling errors due to lack of coffee this morning

[Ken Berner]

No mandolin content; Ron Block held a Daley mandolin for one song, but not loud enough to hear it. Great vocals by Alison!

[GVD]

8_String_Keith Posted

That just shows you what type of character Imus is. #He's a no good, nasty "son of a gun" who has no class what-so-ever.

I guess I would be just as nasty if I was a no-talent-hack like him with alcohol and bong residue lingering in the ripples of my brain #

Sorry for the rant but I have been a Johnny Cash fan since I was 4 or 5 years old.

Well I've been a Johhny Cash fan since I was 4 or 5 too but I'm also a veteran and Don Imus has done more for active duty and veteran soldiers than probably anyone alive. From shaming congress to raise the death benefit from an insulting $12,000 to $100,000 to raising millions and millions of dollars for the Intrepid fallen soldiers fund and physical rehab center in San Antonio, TX to ranting everyday for nearly two weeks about the horrid conditions at the Walter Reed medical clinic in Washington, DC and helping to force improvements.

It's not only veterans who benefit from Imus. If you've never heard of the Imus ranch for kids with cancer it might do you some good to find about about it before you call him a a no good, nasty "son of a gun" who has no class what-so-ever.

Oh and if you've ever known anyone with autism (which 1 out of every 160 chilkdren born today come down with) you might be interested to know that Imus is one of the few media personalities who aren't afraid to take on the Pharmaceutical companies to see if there is a link between thermerasol mercury based preservatives used in childhood inoculations and autism.

As far as I'm concerned a lot of people in this country would be a lot better off if we had more no-talent-hacks like him with alcohol and bong residue lingering in the ripples of their brains.

Does he sometimes say some very stupid and insulting things? No doubt but then again so do I so I'm not going to cast the first stone at him.

GVD

[Keith Erickson]

COMMENTS DELETED BY POSTER:

You know what I'm in a rotten mood this morning and I'm taking it out here on the board which is absolutely wrong.

My apologies to All.......

I saw a man treat his Jack Russell Terrier like garbage this morning right outside of where I work here in downtown El Paso.

Since that little guy couldn't speak for himself, I made it be known to that "individual".

Obviously this is not sitting well with me.

Again apologies to All http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Dave Gumbart]

I heard a fair amount of the Alison Kraus spot this morning, as a regular listener to Don Imus. Yes, he can cross the line, but more often than not, he's poking fun at himself first and foremost, usually has the right people in mind when doing the skewering, and can conduct an excellent interview with his guests, many of whom are this country's most powerful political, journalism and business men and women. As he says - they're just trying to get some yucks. And I totally understand if he's not your thing. No problems there.

But as far as music goes? Who cares what he likes. He's a nationally broadcasted talk show host who regularly features live, in-studio music by a host of (mostly country-oriented) bands. Delbert McClinton, Willie Nelson, Levon Helm, Blind Boys of Alabama, Vince Gill, Al Anderson, Harry Connick, Jr, Tom Petty....Alison Kraus. And he devotes significant time to these folks, not just a quick "hi, play us two tunes and then please leave." So, if Big and Rich aren't your thing, that's fine. The musicians he features do not have to be your favorites. But, where else can you get nationally known and respected musicians cutting loose live at 8:00 - 9:00 AM for the entire country to hear. Bring me some more of that! And I think Imus is genuinely humble with these folks.

As for Johnny Cash, I know he rode Marty Stuart hard for changing the lyrics to "Folsom Prison Blues" on a tribute album he coordinated, so that the song no longer included the "I shot a man in Reno..." line. I think you just need to know where Imus is coming from, so you can filter him out when he's being (on purpose) a jerk, and when he's being honest.

Anyway, ymmv, of course.

Dave G

[pathfinder]

Interesting that this thread's been discussing Don Imus. #CBS just cancelled his show! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[swampstomper]

Yeah, after what he said about the Rutgers women's basketball team, I'd like to hear his opinions on twenty b*njo players standing a big circle at a jam session trading breaks on FMB....

[pathfinder]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Keith Erickson]

What I find amazing is that someone was able to decipher what he said. #I've listened to his show in the past and I've listened to him lately on TV but I still can't understand a word he says. #I guess that was an apology that I heard but who knows http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

...but the problem is that he mumbles so badly that it sounds like he's got a mouth full of marbles.

Poor AKRUS, how did she ever get herself through that show without a translater?

[allenhopkins]

Yes, he can cross the line, but more often than not, he's poking fun at himself first and foremost, usually has the right people in mind when doing the skewering...I think you just need to know where Imus is coming from, so you can filter him out when he's being (on purpose) a jerk, and when he's being honest.
I guess "being (on purpose) a jerk" finally reached the limits of toleration.

Never listened to him that much myself, since when I did I found most of the show was about HIM and only incidentally included his guests, his listeners and the rest of the world.

But I am sorry that someone who obviously enjoyed and understood country-related music, and tried to talk honestly and in depth to the performers he featured, won't be around any more. Many people have mentioned Imus's schizoid attempt to be both a serious interviewer, and a "shock jock," and how one role kept interfering with the other.

Now none of us "baldy-headed M-F(5) pickers" will ever get to play our mandos on Imus's show. Too bad.

[Keith Erickson]

I guess "being (on purpose) a jerk" finally reached the limits of toleration.
Really #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Allen,

He's actually mumbled worse things out of his mouth in the past. I thought that this was pretty tame.

I thought what Senator Bob Byrd said when he appeared on Foxnews was even more disgusting than what Imus dribbled out.....

The funny thing is that when all of his news media "buddies" were reporting on this story, they were acting like they reporting on an alien being from the outer reaches of space. #Probably 90% percent of them appeared on his show #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I guess pertaining to Allison Kraus...

....how did he treat her? #Did he at least give her some respect?

I didn't see or hear the broadcast.

[Santiago]

I've happily avoided Imus's on-air personna for many years, but I was just coming around again to respecting the man's talents on MSNBC when this happens. You can't merge the bad-boy act with anchorman. Public won't tolerate it. He does still make a good cup of coffee.

[Dave Gumbart]

"I guess pertaining to Allison Kraus...how did he treat her? Did he at least give her some respect?" Yes, he was very respectful and seemed to enjoy the opportunity to meet her for the first time and listen more closely to her music. Before she was on with him, I would bet he was familiar with her by name, but if the show were to have continued in the future, I bet she'd have been asked back. In the few days that followed her guest spot, he played some more Alison cuts as they would move to commercial breaks - inclduing a tune she did with Vince Gill, one of Imus' favorites.

While on the air, Imus asked Alison about her current performance schedule, and she talked about the upcoming shows she'll do with Tony Rice. Imus's response was something like "he's a great songwriter..." Probably an indication that he was just feeding her a line to keep the conversation going, since most people familiar with Tony might have mentioned something about his modest guitar playing skills.

And, he was sure to thank "the band" at the end of her performances. "The band"? Well, I guess you can't keep up with everything.

Speaking of The Band (sort of...), I did get a chance to listen to the last hour or so this morning, with Imus' wife hosting for the day, and the Levon Helm band carrying on musical duties. Levon played "Angel Band" somewhere around 9:00, and it featured some very nice mando playing by Levon (I assume), and then more mando on the finale at 10:00 AM with "The Weight." As they wrapped up the whole thing, the regular crew of the radio show were clearly thankful to Levon for a) playing on the show a number of times the last few years, and always kicking some you know what, and b) (my own interpretation...) providing an honorable and uplifting moment from which the show was able to sign off gracefully.

Dave G