Let the Fun Commence
Posted at 6:00 AM on June 13, 2009
by Dale Connelly
(5 Comments)
The weekend edition of Radio Heartland is on the air tonight on the stations of Minnesota Public Radio News from 9 to 11 p.m.
In hour one, The Orange Mighty Trio visits in the studio. Zack Kline, Mike Vasich and Nick Gaudette bring their different musical backgrounds into an environment that encourages improvisation. They sound great and they're charming, lighthearted men who clearly enjoy what they're doing.
In hour two, the graduation season is upon us. Woe to those selected to give the commencement address at MIT, where pranksters research what you've said at other ceremonies and provide bingo sheets so the bored soon-to-be-graduates can cross off your tired phrases as you deliver them.
A great commencement address is a rare and beautiful thing. This year, local singer/songwriter Dan Wilson gave an excellent one at the McNally Smith College of Music, and Ellen DeGeneres wowed them at Tulane.
What if every commencement address had to be sung?
They'd be shorter, for sure.
We'll look at a collection of songs that might fill the bill.
Did I miss one? Say so!
Comments (5)
Common Cement song?
I nominate "Bridges" by Bill Staines, which he recorded in the Coffehouse Extempore in Minneapolis
What great commencement speeches from Dan Wilson and Ellen! Thanks so much for posting them, Dale.
For a common cement song, how about Dire Straits' "Walk of Life" - at least you can really dance to that one!
From my high school graduation-soppy and obscure a chorus from the musical version of "Good Bye Mr Chips" by Leslia Bricusse "Fill the World with Love"
Hi Dale,
Mention Dan Wilson and naturally the song "Closing Time" comes to mindt-it seems appropriate.
Really enjoyed the show tonight--good mix of music, starting with the elegant sound of Orange Mighty.
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