Deep Frrrrreeze
Posted at 6:04 AM on December 16, 2008
by Dale Connelly
(56 Comments)
The regional temperatures this morning are bracing, to say the least. It's 26 below in Virginia, 20 below in Duluth, minus 18 in St. Cloud, and 10 below zero in the Twin Cities.
It feels like late January has come to visit mid-December.
I'm tempted to get out the deep cold warhorses, two big songs from our collection that take different angles on the misery of winter's fury.
"The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a Robert W. Service poem set to music and sung, in our collection, by Debby McClatchy. It's also done as a poem (with reverb) by Johnny Cash.
"The Ballad of Hazel Miner" is a story from North Dakota history, turned into a song by Chuck Suchy.
One is funny, one terribly sad.
On a frosty morning like this one, I can handle funny. But should I play the sad one?
Comments (56)
Good Morning Dale and Mike!
Yes, let's hear the sad song as well -- it's all part of the deal of being human. If possible, let's also hear "I Love the Winter Weather" -- I think it's sung by one of the Prairie Home Companion regulars.
I love the beauty and splendor of winter, but you have to accept the deep freeze as part of the deal, too. Although, gosh darn -- it sure came early!
Have a great day!
play the sad one, was a great poem, and it is cold out there, that's why we love Minnesota, Right, keep up the great music, we love it.
At the end of a Theme Time Radio Hour broadcast, when the theme was weather Bob Dylan commented about extreme temperature (hot or cold I don't even remember), his Minnesota roots showed when he said "remember, at least you don't have to shovel it"
Realism is over rated, IMO. On days like this I need a little of the Hawaiian Islands, or perhaps some flamenco music. If my body can't be where things are warm, at least my imagination can.
As far as a sad song - maybe a little later. I'm still rather sad about the demise of the LGMS.
A suggestion for RH, Dale: I appreciate your knowledgeable comments on the artists, bands, styles of music, etc. Example - I think the info you gave on the artist who only does gigs in New York (whose name I can't remember!) gave a 'value added' aspect to the recording you played of his music. Maybe you could do a segment with that kind of info from time to time. OR - maybe the 'elusive artist' could be the first new radio character to emerge on RH?
May the warmth be with you.
Dale-
Love the new radio service. Thanks for venturing into uncharted territory for all your faithful listeners. Yes, it is cold today- minus 13 here. Do the Sam McGee song. I'd also like to suggest Peter Mayer's Midwinter CD. Lots of great winter songs.
I like the idea to add some "heat" with Hawaiian or something tropical. Maybe combine winter and warm with some slack key Christmas stuff. Love the new show. Was devastated when I heard the Morning Show was retiring. Elated to have Radio Heartland. Thanks for the Sons of the Pioneers on Monday!
We are visiting my sister in Minnetonka.... It's great to hear you, again. We live in Hancock, and I, Nancy, am finishing my sisters sentence...Phyllis hopped up to make her oatmeal, Michigan. We get the snow, but rarely this frigid air - Wa! So we've been sans Dale for too long up north - though we checked the online archive a lot. Anyway - this will become a new habit for us. Kiitos paljon! (Thanks loads) Phyllis and Hannnu * Please play No More Icky Yucky Sushi! TU!
I will echo Teri in Zimmerman's comment about the addition of the knowledgeable comments: I too love the background and incidental information. Johnny Cash dialogue...nice.
Mornin'!
Thanks for the Django tunes. Big Django Reinhardt fan. Thanks for the continued tunes! We'll listen from AZ this winter on web - HOORAY!
Good Morning, Dale and Mike,
Thanks so much for this new radio adventure, and a hearty welcome to RadioHeartland! Friday was the first day I turned on my computer before my radio. Since then I’ve been listening almost nonstop through AirTunes—streamed music played through existing radios and speakers in our kitchen, dining room, and living room (in add’n) to our computers) thanks to AirPort Express discovered by my husband, Dan, when he heard you announce the coming of RH.
For music today, how about “Fever” sung by Peggy Lee or Rita Coolidge? Thanks so much!
Posted by Sue in Mpls.
Here is a song that touches on a) the mail and b) computer blues which I equate with freezing, which is what it is outside and c) credit problems which is prevalent:
Computer Blues (I don't owe no money Blues)
Words, Music and Arrangement By Edward C. Wemmerus Sr.
Copyright © August 29, 1990 All Rights Reserved
Copyright © Registered September 20, 1990
VERSE I
Well I was sittin' at home, kinda mindin' my own
when the mailman came to call.
He came into the yard kinda puffin' real hard,
then he let his mail bag fall.
He took out a letter and though I knew better
I signed on the bottom line.
When I opened it up and it was really abrupt
it said you know you better pay on time.
CHORUS
I got the, I don't owe no money,
the computer says I do blues.
No matter what I tell them
I keep gettin' them past dues.
I show em the check with the paid in full
then they send me a bill that's full of bull.
I got the, I don't owe no money,
the computer says I do blues.
VERSE # 2
Well the name on the bill is the same as mine
but they got the number all wrong.
My number's 22536 – 56241.
The number on the dun, hell it starts with one,
and it ends up with a two.
But it don't matter - former or latter
they're gonna get their due.
VERSE # 3
Now I wouldn't mind - if I had the time
but computers are dumb as a stone.
And the people that run em and send out dunnems
they're stupid clear to the bone.
They're deaf and blind, an outta their mind
if they think they wanna mess with me. heh
Cause I don't get mad - when I've been had
all I do is get even.
Repeat CHORUS
VERSE # 3
Well they tried to sue - for what was due,
but the judge, he saw my side.
And when the dust had cleared the price was dear,
but they said they'd abide.
Now I'm the one - who sends the duns,
and no one else gets bugged
The company's mine - and for all time,
that computers gonna stay unplugged.
Repeat CHORUS
Heidi and I woke a 4 am like many other hearty midwesterners last frosty Thursday to see your final Morning Show...But Heidi appeared to be the youngest in the long line to get into the Fitz Theater. She is 8. We made it in in with 50 seats to spare!;) How about playing something for her? A sleigh ride tune or anything festive. I love to listen all day long. Great background music. Thanks! Nancy, Phyllis' sister
As time goes on, "Radio Heartland" will find it's own voice and have it's own rituals. I like where this interactive blog is going. Maybe a chat room in the future? :-)
I am listening to your sad song now. I am so glad that you dare to play songs that I have never heard before. A long time ago, you played a song about cows frozen in the snow. "Frozen in the Snow" by David Wilcox. It is on a collection album On a Winter's Night.
I'm might be the only person to say this but I really like this station better than the Current. I had to move my radio around every morning to try and get a decent reception for the Morning Show but now with the hd radio I have, Radio Heartland is perfectly clear.
I also like hearing Dale 24 hours a day- even if it's just those little snippets between songs. It would be nice to hear some more spoken word-maybe Dale or others could read new things they've written or short stories every so often. It might be played not only on the two live hours but also during other times.
I'd like to request O Holy Night- my favorite Christmas song. Thanks!
I just wanted to echo a few comments along the way here ... while I've never got into blogs or chat rooms (too much time), this one has already become part of my morning while I get kids to school. We're all still mourning the end of the LGMS and enjoying Dale's journey into Radio Heartland and all it is already becoming.
Much like the ALL classical station (I've noticed they've really emphasized the ALL classical since LGMS demise), they give value-added additional information on songs and artists that I've always enjoyed. As someone mentioned already, we are also appreciating Dale's comments on RH and would love to hear more.
I'm just so pleased to interact with other fine people who appreciate the eclectic variety of music offered here. It's great to meet you all!
Greetings Guys!
I agree with a fellow listener who earlier indicated that beginning Monday AM, this is the first time that I have turned on the computer before the radio. My wife and I were eager to hear how Radio Heartland sounded over the computer, and we were very pleased!
The computer was on all day to this station as I went about my work. Thanks for taking the plunge into this new venture. As a loyal listener, I can only say great start. We are shopping for an HD radio as a Christmas gift.
Doug
Question: We are sustaining members and would like to contribute more $ dedicated to Radio Heartland. If we can do this, what is the best way to make this happen?
Not sure if this is "blog ready" but I shot this video on my phone while waiting 45 minutes outside to get into the show last week. Just a little glimpse from what was happening outside.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNIz6_ORpFU
I like Patricia's idea of reading short stories on Radio Heartland. Years ago KSJN had Garrison Keillor and then one of the female announcers did a 1/2 hour show of reading short stories. I loved that -- it was just so cozy to have someone read to you. It would also give us our fix of hearing Dale Connelly at some time other than 6-8 am.
By the way, why don't you have a live broadcast from 6 to 9am? Just curious ...
I'm loving RH and this whole forum. Keep it coming!
Keep up the good work, Dale! I trust your judgment on what the playlist should be . . . .
I would suggest folks buy an HD radio here:
http://publicradiomarket.publicradio.org/hdradio/
And for those of you who can, become a Sustaining Member; it feels really good!
Christmas songs? How about the one they played on TPT2 this week...."Ain't No Snow in Kalamazoo" about Santa in a clmate change world?
Meanwhile, try the Hallelujah Chorus by the Roaches. Good alto part on that one.
I agree with some tropical themed songs to counteract the cold songs - but do love the cold ones too, since it is reality.
On Christmas songs, I'd like to request some other "holiday" songs. My family celebrates the Solstice, and Hannukah is coming up. How about songs celebrating other traditions. I'd like to recommend Melissa Etheridge's new holiday album - A New Thought for Christmas - it has songs that celebrate peace, joy, Solstice and other traditions and sentiments during this time of year. Night Divine is specifically oriented to those who celebrate the Solstice - which is the basis for us celebrating at this time of year.
Keep up the good work, and keep warm!
Dale, I could barely believe my ears! "The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a poem that is a tradition at our family gatherings. My father recites it to the glee of his 8 children. Please post a link of both the song version and the Johnny Cash version so I can download it and play it for him. Now that Parkinson's has impaired his speech, I know that he would appreciate hearing it from someone else.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for these comments, everybody!
I'm getting lots of good ideas, thanks to your participation in the blog.
I'll try to work the Roches Hallelujah Chorus into the show tomorrow (Wednesday). I've always loved the way they boil that huge sound down and distribute the parts between three voices. Amazing.
Mike and I were noticing that we seem to hear the Roches a lot on Radio Heartland. Don't get me wrong - we love them - but does it seem that their number comes up more than just about anyone else's? Why do the popular kids always get picked first?
Today is the first time I tuned into Radio Heartland! It's wonderful. Also, keep up the blog. You guys do such great work. Thanks so much.
I recommend Charlie McGuire's "Oh Cold and Misery" as a great cold weather song. I first heard it when Garrison was doing the morning show. It's a quintessential Minnesota winter experience. It's on his Harbor Lights CD.
All new electronics should be issued with an 8th grader. I DID get my HD radio up and set on 91.1 HD2 by the 12th. By the 13th, I figured out how to set the time but for the other complex tasks, I need that 8th grader.
Thanks for a few more specifics on the weather. I have always relied on you to know how many layers (both mood and actual clothes) to put on in the morning. Getting the mojo working this morning was especially helpful.
I approach the cold-weather-songs issue with great trepidation as when I once asked Jim Ed NOT to play Poor Kitty Popcorn - all he saw was the title and promptly played it. I'm hoping that you will NOT play this song as it is TOO TOO sad; I even tear up just remembering its tragic lyrics.
Thanks for your air-wave - and ether-wave friendship to all of us.
The music and quality of the show is fantastic, but every morning show needs a partner to talk to on the air. Maybe a weekly cohost like when Jim Ed was on vacation?
Thanks, Elizabeth.
You can hear my show later in the day. We rebroadcast the 6 to 7 hour at 11 am, the the 7 to 8 hour at noon.
You can also go to the archive and listen anytime.
Follow this link: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/programs/dale_connelly/
By the way, you can also listen to old Morning Shows through our website.
The archive is vast. It goes back to 2004!
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/programs/morning_show/
A suggestion for the fun side of the Christmas song spectrum. Fats Domino's "I Told Santa Claus" always brings a smile for me. Thanks for the wide variety of offerings. You are off to a great start.
I've a suggestion for a guest. How about that sound-effects guy who does so much good work for PHC . . . Tom Keith is the name, I believe. He'd be a hoot to have on once in a while. If he's got the time, that is . . . . ;^)
Hi Dale and Mike: when we renew our mpr membership, is there a way to specifically dedicate our contribution towards sustaining your radio heartland? we could not find it anywhere online to do that. we will not renew until we find this out. we want bill kling to know that we want your program to succeed.
Thanks for the idea, Don.
Listen for Tom Keith or one of his personalities to make an appearance on Radio Heartland this coming Thursday morning!
oh, i am in violent agreement re more spoken word! i love hearing stories or essays or poems read on the radio--could even be fun to do serialized longer works (just a chapter or two a day)--and hearing a bit from you, dale, about musicians or songs is also nice---i keep trying other radio stations, but find myself thinking, "they never SAY anything!"
could also be playing some readings done by listeners...
i also really like this blog! for me, too, it is the first one i've ever gone to daily.
more ideas---how about an occasional heartland get-together? would be fun to meet other listeners, since we tend to share some basic interests and points of view...something friendly and interesting and casual....perhaps meeting up at medicine lake on new year's eve for fireworks....perhaps...? i think one of the reasons the ending show was so fun was that like-minded people got to get together.
oops, one more thing--
it would be nice to hear "at the top of the hour" or "at half past the hour" or the like, so we can know the general time during an hour.
thanks
Thanks Dale for Radio Heartland!
We had to make some adjustments so we didn't have to eat breakfast in the den and are pleased with our solution.
We bought a pair of wireless speakers that we have connected to our computer since HD Radio is not yet an option here in the boondocks of Alexandria. This seemed the least invasive method to bring the music to the kitchen, where we like to be in the morning. We can also move them to wherever we want to listen, up to 150 feet.(we'll see?)
Another note on the poem, I have a few poetry CDs in our CD changer and when I put it on random I really enjoy the occasional poetry recitation.
I think the band 'The Ditty Bops' would make a great addition to your playlist. Thanks!!
I agree with the decision to play obscure Christmas music. There are only so many times one can hear "Jingle Bell Rock" without getting very upset. I would reccommend "Dominic the Donkey," at least I think that's what it's called.
Hi, Dale-
A really sweet, melancholy winter tune suggestion: "Valley Winter Song" by Fountains of Wayne, off the Welcome Interstate Managers album. Set in New England, but it sounds great in Minnesota, too.
Thanks for playing Simon and Garfunkel's "Why Don't You Write Me?!" It's a great sing-out-loud song on a cold dark night while washing the dishes, and one of their lesser known great songs.
I'd love some spoken word too. I may be in the minority here, but I really like Writer's Almanac when I catch it. Or other poetry/prose.
Again, possibly a minority opinion here, but since I've switched to RH at work (from 99.5 Classical), I do sort of miss the hourly NPR news headlines. I'm not suggesting every hour on RH, but perhaps a couple of times during the day? They're just a couple of minutes long and I get a heads up about what's going on.
I too am a Sustaining Member and want Mr. Kling to know that I want RH to succeed. Hopefully he's reading these comments from committed MPR listeners.
Keep up the good work!
I tuned in just in time to hear the Hazel Miner song. What timing!
I'll also suggest Charlie McGuire's "I Like it Here" (or is it "Oh, cold and misery"?) Although your playlist is set for the day, I'm sure we'll have more cold days in this string. My Duluth thermometer said 26 below this morning.
We could just concede to the cold. I know that many artists have recorded Baby, It's Cold Outside.
We could, on the other hand, warm ourselves up this week with something like the Ink Spots I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire.
:-)
Thanks so much for playing The Cremation of Sam McGee. My grandmother used to recite this for her 24 grandchildren. She also had memorized & recited The Shooting of Dan McGraw. A few years before she died she gave me her book of Robert W. Service poems. He's a much under-rated poet & it was wonderful to be working at my desk & hear this great poem read by Johnny Cash.
Your new show is great & your choice of music, et al, is wonderful & just as eclectic as The Morning Show. I miss Jim Ed but I sure am grateful your carrying on with such great selections. Keep it up.
Janice from Ettrick, WI
Since people like hearing details about songs and the artists maybe Radio Heartland could set up a wiki. Like Wikipedia for users to add comments and stories about the artist.
Most of us really won't have time to read it though. How about an audio wiki? Users call in and leave a recorded message about a song. Then HAL (or what ever the computer's name is that runs the station when Dale is out) can slip in a comment or two just before it plays a song.
You would probably have to have an intern listen to the calls and approve them, or we might get messages from nigerian princes.
One thing I have noticed that is different about radio heartland that is difficult to describe. It lacks texture. For example, Perry coming on to read the news or different kinds of music during different parts of the day. Getting some different voices on RH would add texture.
Hey Dale - It's been fun to listen on line today to the "New Show". Nice job!
But... Anne Reed's words still echo "My coffee tasted better yesterday" ... "car's so quiet and I don't know why".
Guess we have to look into HD car radios! Are there such things?
HI to Jim Ed and thanks to you and Mike.
At the Fitz that morning I stayed the entire time - late for work. The kind woman next to me left at 8:15. Said she couldn't enjoy staying any longer knowing that people were waiting to get in. (Something wrong with me...? No guilt...)
Patti
WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!
What a wonderful thing Heartland is. I have to say, I was not happy to hear the two of you were going off the air and to be fair I wish your new Heartland morning show was still on the Non digital airwaves. Going cold turkey is hard to do in the morning in the car.
Last Friday night, over at friends I pulled out the laptop and streamed Heartland on the kitchen table while Christmas cookies were in production and everyone loved the new sound of Heartland. One song was one that one persons Dutch father sang all the time to him as a kids. The trick in they have have a desktop way back in the office at the back of the house. So maybe Santa can find a HD radio.....
For myself one morning without a fix of Dale in the moring and I went out Saturday and purchased a Denon S-52 Digital radio that also does WiFi, iPod, CD, normal and HD AM and FM etc... and now can get the the Whole Heartland experience. I'm guessing that the Minneapolis market is seeing a spike in HD radio sales!
What a wonderful mix of songs you have. It reminds me of when public radio was younger and you got the eclectic mix of things you couldn't find anywhere else. I love the news, the BBC, the Current 1 and 2, Classical 1 and 2. But Heartland is a mix that I can't find anywhere else. I just hope Heartland can get out to enough people without some non-digital broadcast to gain the support and following it deserves.
Keep up the great mix. Will you cut back on the repeat of the morning portion in the future?
Is there a web page on MPR that shows all the MPR channels and what the schedules are side by side?
Cheers!
Hey Everyone - I too am finding myself coming to the blog every day which is a new and foreign experience. But what a great bunch of people!
I agree with the ideas about have short stories, poems, or even serialized longer works being read on the air. I think that would be marvelous.
Also, as a sustaining member, I would like to know how to contribute an additional amount and have the funds go to Radio Heartland.
On a different note, I would like to know if the computer has a prefered name because until I hear otherwise, it's HAL to me too!
One other thing I thought was that if we could add some more human voice (and there have been lots of great suggestions in this direction) the evening drive time would be great.
Loving the great music and hearing Dale in the am.
Nice ideas, everyone. Thanks.
I agree that Radio Heartland is missing the "human touch" later in the day, and different voices could help the place feel populated. If we had listeners come into the studio to record some announcements and song intros and then just sprinkled them around the schedule, would that seem odd, or random, or desperate? Would it matter if people didn't sound like professional announcers? Or would that help? Does anyone like HAL? Hate HAL? He can't read, so this would be the place to confess, if you are so inclined.
Well HAL isn't all that evil to me, but didn't you and Mike select three thousand songs? I admit thats not a whole lot, but maybe add more once you get going?
It could be fun to expand the personality of HAL the computer. There are synthetic voices that aren't to bad. (The Alex voice that comes on a mac is pretty good). Besides if Dale thought of funny things for him to say it could be great.
I think listeners announcing songs could be good. I realize that there is a great deal of skill to sound good. Sounding unprofessional is probably not a problem as long as the messages are short. I would worry more about us non-professionals rambling, some of my Uncles come to mind!
Certainly many of the artists could do short messages if they were so inclined.
We would need to find some way to off load the work from Dale and Mike. The idea of them working with beginning announcers could be be fun if they weren't busy running a radio station!
Hi Dale! I didn't expect you to be up so late on the blog here. As far as HAL goes, I guess I like it as long as it plays the good music. I think listeners recording announcements, song intros, reciting poetry/prose or reading stories would be very cool and make for a very interesting, diverse and community feeling radio. And add fantastic "texture" as DanT says. Some coaching and editing from the pros goes a long way, too. Personally, I have a long unused BA in Theatre and would be thrilled to be part of this whole experience.
We hear listeners give their stories during pledge drives which I always find compelling. They're not pros, but you pick people and voices that come across well on the radio.
Anyway, catch you at sunrise!
Tom Keith is making an appearance on Thursday!!!! (Standing O in anticipation of this happy event!)
Tom's visit, along with the news that we will be able to pump RH into ALL of our house radios via AirTunes (part of AirPort Express), is just what we need for our broken hearts to start to mend. We miss Tom (Jim Ed) more than we can bare. Don't get us wrong Dale, we love listening to you and think RH is going to be just fine for us, as long as we get some periodic visits from "Mr. Retired Man."
P.S. It is unwise to sit in the home office listening to RH on the computer when one is supposed to be getting ready for work!
Brad - your 'roving reporter' video clip from the Last Morning Show is wonderful! Great post!
As far as having a companion on the show, could you have a dog? A cat? A chicken? They would add texture, wouldn't they?
I don't mind HAL, but if I recall correctly, he doesn't make friends easily.
I am also a sustaining member, and would like my contributions to go to Radio Heartland.
So Tom Keith may visit on Thursday? I will be there!
Hi Dale,
I guess I'll give this a go. I really appreciate still being able to hear most of the MS music, though I agree with a previous writer that some of the minnesota and public and radio has been taken out.
That said, I haven't seen anyone mention the 820HD radio from Cambridge Soundworks. It was recommended by the StarTribune. I ordered one at 129.99 with free shipping. It gets perfect reception and sounds great for a tabletop radio.
Finally, someone else broached the subject, but I'll come out and ask: What will it take to have you stay live until 9:00 and do away with this first-hour-repeat nonsense?
Thanks again for the new service.
I'm not normally a blog poster, but I keep coming back to check things out here...
I like the HAL idea - it could be fun you developed HAL as a personality to match a specific computer voice. Maybe if there was a male and a female they could argue once in a while about the music selection?! I'm no writer, but it might be a fun challenge to try and play with the writing to get a personality out of the computer voice.
Has anyone ever done a whole play of computer voices? Now that's an idea! What happens if you feed "Taming of the Shrew" into your Mac? I might try this just for fun...I'll send you a recording if it's funny!
I'm actively shopping for an HD radio for the Outback ....classical is too sleepy and news is too depressing. I need my morning show music to pass the 30 minute drive in the morning.
One cold weather song I love - Muddy Waters' "Down South Blues"....."Going down south child, the weather here's to cold...." - Great guitar work!
AW, I love the idea of Dale having some animal companions there at the studio----maybe that sound effects guy would record some sounds, like bowser, and add a bad kitty, and maybe a monkey....?
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