Father's Day

Hi!
First, Happy Father's Day and kisses to all the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, almost-like-a-fathers, etc. in radioland! Dr. Phil says no one has a greater influence on you, for good or bad, than your same gender parent and I am so lucky to have the mother I have. He also has said that the opposite gender parent is the one who helps shape your sense of self-esteem, how you see and carry yourself, even into adulthood. So thank you my beloved Daddy (Big Carlo), the roses cultivator, the opera fan, the hardest working, most ethical person I've ever known, the writer of gentle, poetic and profound letters, for raising me through the eyes of love. I have learned so much from you and I hope to raise my son the same way. That is my tribute to you. And to my husband James: I knew when we picked each other that you'd be the best father of any I've met of our generation. We have a lucky little boy....

So to honor all the Dads out there we've got a special weekend of programming just for you! We call it "The Fathers of Classical Music" and all the "greats" are represented. You can hear them starting Friday the 19th at 4 and lasting right through Father's Day Sunday. Listen with a Dad you love!

Cheers,
Laura

Hi Friends,
How are you doing with this gray week? The rain hasn't been overwhelming, but the cloudy skies with no break for sun and the daily rain threat can color all your plans, can't it? That's why I love hearing from you---having friends around on gloomy-looking days changes everything for the better for me. Practically speaking, I know that for many "dj's" are disembodied voices.... and when you can't see someone in front of you it's hard to believe they're real people... but I assure you I'm real and when I get an e-mail or voice mail, or (my favorite) "snail mail" from you it truly "makes my day." I also know how busy and stressed just about everybody is these days and that makes your taking the time to get in touch with me, with all of us here at WCRB, all the more special and I thank you from my heart.

Here's something else that "makes my day"---the Kids Classical Hour, heard every Saturday morning at 9. We usually take a theme that kids can understand (nature, outer space, toys and games, circus) and explore it so that kids, of all ages, can learn about the joys of classical music. On 6/13 we'll learn about music for kings and queens through the ages. Hope you join me on this fun exploration.

Thanks for "being there!"
Laura

Hi!
We've got some great late spring weather coming our way this weekend. I believe in taking advantage of such beautiful days (no cleaning out closets and garages on gorgeous Saturdays and sunny Sundays. Goodness knows we New Englanders don't get enough of them to waste any and besides, I think that's what cold and wet or snowy weekends are for anyway). Our child has one of his baseball games and we're looking forward to visiting with friends (long overdue visit). And I can't wait to have our son join me in our annual planting of our windowboxes (actually, deck boxes---you get the idea). What's doing for your weekend? If you really don't have any ideas...you can always check out our website. Click on the far left column of our home page, scroll to where you see "Around Town" or just under it, "Concert Calendar." Both are chock full of concerts and other arts happenings you and yours might like to take in. We include freebie events whenever we can, too. And if the great weather makes you think of road trips----then travel down to Portsmouth, RI, for the opening weekend of Newport International Polo (check out our website for info). That's a really amazing sport to watch and fun for the whole family. You can even tail gate at the field. Listen---whatever you end up doing, just remember to take WCRB with you. We love being part of your weekend plans!
Until next week, take care, m'friend...
Laura

Creature from the Black... Studio?

Hi Friends!
Between my spring-summer allergies (itchy red eyes, red-tipped nose) and spring-summer weather-reactive hair (cross between Bozo and a Brillo soap pad today) I look like one of the creatures from those '50s B-grade horror movies. I think I'm going to give Keith Lockhart and my colleagues here at WCRB some nightmares tonight. Sorry, gang. may I just add that I'm so glad I'm in radio and not TV. Trust me, you're glad about that, too.
I'm really looking forward to this coming weekend. WCRB will have its first-ever "Classic Performances Weekend" with great old-time performances from our archives. I've gotten a sneak peak at the play list compiled thus far---lots of wonderful, and in some cases forgotten, stars of classical recorded music popping up on it. As you go about your weekend errands and plans take us with you so you don't miss out on the gems being scheduled!
By the way, now that you've found our website, I hope you visit the "contests" page regularly and see what we have in store for you! We update that page regularly. Good Luck!
Thanks for visiting,
Laura

So Much to Do, So little Time

Hi!
Did you ever say, or even just think to yourself, "I don't know which end is up?" Despite my best efforts at organization and schedule management (and I'm usually good at this) stuff, important stuff, has been getting in the way of an orderly life this week both at work and at home. It's all important, it all has deadlines and the end of the world as we know it will happen if I don't get to it...yesterday. I got to the point running around to do it all this week where I think I forgot to breathe. And then---inspiration! The little voice inside whispered "Turn on 99.5 WCRB!" There it was... a lush and beautiful Ralph Vaughan Williams piece, followed by a dreamy Puccini, then a romantic Tchaikovsky....and as I listened all became right with the world again. Or at least....more manageable. You have told me this for years---that you need your friends Mozart, Chopin, Brahms and Company to relax, re-group, re-energize, and I've agreed. So how did I forget that the classical music cure was just a radio click away this week? I won't be forgetting again.
One person who is pulled in a million directions but somehow gets it all done is Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart. I hope you get to hear him on "Keith's Classical Corner" every Monday through Friday at 8:30. Keith stops by and shares his "musical pick of the day." Sometimes he ties his musical selection to a holiday, composer's birthday, a theme his next Pops concert will be exploring, and sometimes---he chooses music "just because." He's always a font of musical knowledge and speaks in a way everyone can understand. He's always pleasant and fun, and always does our morning exchange with his coffee mug in hand, (black). Hope you'll invite "Keith" into your mornings! And remember, even though the spring Pops season is well underway you can still get tickets to his great concerts. Just visit www.bostonpops.org.
'Til next time,
Laura

Here comes the sun (& son)

Hi, Laura checking in with you!
Nice to see the sun finally. Don't get me wrong--- I really do appreciate the rain---but it's just that "Friday's and sunny" go together better in my mind. That...and the fact that my little one has his very first Little League game this afternoon. Anyway, the response to our first one last month was so good we're presenting another Classical Composer Marathon Weekend, starting this afternoon at 4! You'll hear 1, 2 and 3-hour blocks of music by your favorite composers right through Sunday.
And now, even more spring things for you: we need your votes to make our "Top 100 Countdown" weekend, next weekend, a big success! Just visit wcrb.com, click on the "Top 100" banner and list your 3 favorite classical music pieces. We'll tabulate the answers and then count down your picks starting Friday , May 22nd at 4. We love having you be a part of all we do---thanks for "being there!"
I'm back with you at 6 am tomorrow (Sat)...please join me then!