Cowboys in Cyberspace

Tune on, log on, tune in…

During the early days of the World Wide Web, it was quite a novelty to find online radio stations from far-flung corners of the globe. They are a lot more common now and the search is on to find specialised stations or programs that seem tailor-made for your tastes. To make that easier, your favourite artists host many programs and perhaps the logic is that if you like the music they make, then chances are you’ll like the music they listen to as well.

This article was prompted when I recently received Steve Earle’s brilliant album Washington Square Serenade. Inside was a flyer offering a free 3-day trial of the online version of the American satellite radio station SIRIUS RADIO. His show is called Hardcore Troubadour Radio and can be found on Sirius channel 63, Outlaw Country, which is a “sanctuary for the freaks, misfits, outcasts, rebels and renegades of country music.” When I tuned in to wait for the allotted hour of Steve’s broadcast, I thought I had died and gone to heaven! My computer speakers filled with Waylon Jennings, David Allan Coe, Emmylou Harris, Dale Watson, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and all three generations of Hank Williams! Other ‘celebrity’ hosts on Outlaw Country include Elizabeth (It Takes Balls To be A Woman) Cook, John (Swingin’) Anderson and the only son of Outlaw legends Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter – Shooter Jennings, with his program Electric Rodeo. Great music, although Shooter’s language is pretty colourful, but hey, this is the Outlaw station! They have other channels that cater for modern country, bluegrass and all other genres of music.

Closer to home, NSW Central Coast community radio station 94.1 FM has been taken over by a new team of community members and local stars and rebranded ‘todayscountry94one’. Look forward to programs by local musicians such as Adam Harvey, Kasey Chambers, Shane Nicholson, Bill Chambers, Gina Jeffreys and Beccy Cole and the station is also streamed on the internet. The first show produced was Bill Chambers’ ‘Hickory Wind’ and it was followed by the ‘Adam Harvey Christmas Special’ which featured many of Australia’s country music stars talking to Adam and spreading Christmas cheer. Pictured right: Adam Harvey with his 2008 Golden Guitar for Album of the Year.

Two of Australia’s best-known radio programs can also be heard on the World Wide Web. HOEDOWN recently celebrated 20 years on the air from 2TM, remembering the early days with John Minson and Kevin Knapp to more recent times with the name change to CMR and current hosts Nick Erby and Brian Howard. CMR can be heard across 32 stations via the 2SM Super Network and streamed via the 2SM website.  Left: Sara Storer talks to Nick Erby

Over at the ABC, John Nutting’s SATURDAY NIGHT COUNTRY consistently tops the ratings in its timeslot as broadcasts his weekly show across Australia on 60 Local ABC Radio stations and across the world on Radio Australia and the Web (disclaimer: yes dear readers, I am the show’s gig guide compiler, Big Bob from Bondi and yes, I know you thought I’d be bigger!). The ABC have been pioneers of streaming radio and podcasts and in SNC can be replayed at your leisure until the new episode comes along replace it. Our National broadcaster also has its own 24-hour dedicated country station that is an offshoot of DIG RADIO.

Dianna Corcoran, Lee Kernaghan and Adam Harvey are interviewed backstage after their 2008 Golden Guitar wins, by John Nutting and Sue Jarvis for Saturday Night Country

Several community stations are also streaming their shows live including 2ser.com with Barbara Morison and her long running All Kinds of Country show every Saturday from 5am.

Also check out www.2mcr.org.au, www.coolcountryradio.com.au and www.purecountry.com.au  (let me know if your station broadcasts online)…3MDR Mountain District Radio…102.7FM 4DDB…

Until next time, happy surfing!

Bob talked to Barbara Morison on 2SER 107.3 FM about this month’s column and more…