Crossing Boundaries

While living in Ashland, Kentucky from 2001 to 2003, I used to listen to WOUB-FM out of Athens, Ohio. My favorite time to listen was from 7-10 p.m. while Mark Hellenberg hosted the program Crossing Boundaries. The show was primarily responsible for my change in musical direction. The music I heard on that program comprises a big part of my current playlist--music that is seldom, if ever, heard on Top 40 radio. It had a profound influence on my songwriting as well; I realized that a song doesn't have to be commercial to have a serious impact and that, well, if I like it, it's good. Who can argue with a playlist featuring artists such as Trey Anastasio, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Bruce Cockburn, Death Cab for Cutie, Josh Rouse, and Jerry Douglas, to name a few? Check out today's playlist. If this description (from the WOUB web site) appeals to you, then you should check out the feed:

In this day and age, when a handful of corporate giants own more and more stations, fewer contemporary artists on small, independent labels outside the pop mainstream are afforded airplay--especially if those artists appeal to a more mature audience. Crossing Boundaries provides a music source for adults, an audience that is looking for new music that addresses grown-up issues and reflects their eclectic tastes--music that is seldom heard on commercial radio.

The program presents genre-crossing music from rock, folk, blues, soul, international, and Americana. Although Crossing Boundaries focuses on today’s newer releases, you’ll also hear some old favorites and some classic recordings from years past. And, unlike commercial radio, through the week you’ll get to hear more than one selection from any given new album.

'Nuff said. Go listen to it!