An annual tradition–the Twirl Radio Awards, also known as the Twirlies–is on the way! This two hour special will happen on Saturday, February 2nd, 2013, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Pacific time, at http://www.twirlradio.com (right here!). It will be hosted by me, Mike Lidskin, and the effervescent Amber Alexander.

The Twirlies are a celebration of all that is good and right in the world–namely good indie music. We will be honoring those who made the great music that I got to feature on Twirl in 2012. Albums and songs that came my way and received airplay in 2012, qualify for a Twirlie.

Many bands, musicians, and Twirl Radio participants will be competing for this coveted award. So what is a Twirlie? It’s a beautiful, yet imaginary award. It’s handed out live on the air, to fake applause when fake envelopes containing winners names are ripped open. The show may be a simulation, but the honors are real! We’ll also be revealing our Top Albums and Top Songs lists for 2012 on this show.

You won’t want to miss any of this action, or the chance to hear me wearing my elegantly appointed fake tuxedo t-shirt. Remember–the Twirlie Awards are only on Twirl Radio, February 2nd, 2013! See you there.

January 27, 2013
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: 3 Comments

Hey friends!

Today’s the day we get together and try to do some good. Hurricane Sandy was several weeks ago, and is out of the news cycle, but the need for help remains. A good portion of the East Coast of the United States suffered through what is now being called a “superstorm”, with the Northeast–places like New York City and New Jersey–being ground zero. There are people who’ve lost everything, and are still displaced, in the most densely populated part of our country.

The good folks at Woody Radio and Pop Garden Radio, and me at Twirl Radio are pooling forces once again to raise awareness and gently encourage listeners to donate to the relief efforts. My show today, 12/1/2012, will be devoted entirely to that.

We’ll sweeten the deal. Several of the artists whom we play on the show have offered up goodies for you. If you donate $20 US or more to one of the relief charities, I can hook you up with a CD (or another fabulous prize), and I’ll mention what they are during the show. Anybody that donates to the relief efforts during today’s show will get mentioned on the air today (unless you specify that you don’t want the publicity). Even if you donate $1, that will help.

Here’s what you do:
Donate to one of the suggested charities below, or pick another one that you know of that is doing Sandy relief work. Forward to me the confirmation email, or just let me know how much you gave, and tell me what address to send your gift to. The email address to send this to is: twirlradio@gmail.com. (I’m interested in tracking how much of an impact the radiothon had.)

Here’s some donation suggestions:
Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org
(Also, a really easy and high-tech way to donate $10 to the Red Cross is by texting the word “Redcross” to 90999.)

Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org

These sites also have phone numbers, in case you’d prefer to talk to somebody. And finally–a more targeted list of aid organizations can be found on the event page for this radiothon on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/115251235303745/?fref=ts.

Or–instead of donating money, if finances are tough–you can always raise awareness on your social media of choice. Post a link to these charities or this event on Facebook. Tweet about it. Whatever you can. Let’s show the world that we take care of our own.

Now lets go have some fun and do this thing! Today, 4-6pm Pacific, http://www.twirlradio.com!

December 1, 2012
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a Comment

Update: here is the podcast from that magical night of music. Enjoy!
Skip Heller/Claire Costa, David Houston/String Theory, Sal Valentino show, Luna’s Cafe, Sacramento, CA (6/30/2012) (length: 1:41:51)

Today on Twirl Radio, we’re going to have another live “Twirl Radio Presents” session! This will be the on-air “after party” for the regular Twirl Radio show.

What do I mean? Well, we will be doing a regular radio show today, featuring some of the finest indie and well known, but quirky, music available. But afterwards, we’ll be broadcasting live from Luna’s Cafe, in downtown Sacramento. The bill reads like this: Skip Heller and Claire Costa, who are no strangers to my listeners. They’ll be playing a set of Skip’s great Americana and country catalog, and featuring Claire’s wonderful vocals.

Then–David Houston and String Theory. David’s been making great music here in Sacramento for longer than a lot of us can remember. He’s masterful on both sides of the board–if he isn’t singing, writing, or playing, then he’s helping somebody else make their perfect record. Accompanied by a 4 piece string quartet (the best quartets usually have 4 members!), he holds court at Luna’s on the last Saturday of every month.

But wait–there’s more! Sacramento is home to a legendary pop star who got his start way back in the 1960′s in the Beau Brummels. I’m referring to none other than the legendary Sal Valentino! Oh yeah–you know him, you love him. He released a wonderfully romantic and great-sounding album a couple of years ago entitled Dreamin’ Man. And Sal’s going to join the show tonight. This is a rare opportunity to hear this great artist live, so get yourself down to Luna’s if you’re in Sacramento, or get yourself right here to Twirl Radio tonight at 9:00 p.m. Pacific, if you’re not able to go to the show. We’ll have a great time!

July 5, 2012
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a Comment

Due to connectivity/bandwidth issues here in downtown Sacramento, I will not be broadcasting the Skip Heller/Claire Costa, David Houston/String Theory, Sal Valentino show live tonight from Luna’s. However, I will be recording, and posting the show later on.

Check this space–the concert podcast will be available soon.

June 30, 2012
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a Comment

On today’s Twirl Radio (May 19, 2012), we are doing things just a little bit differently. We’ll be broadcasting LIVE from the historic Tower Theater in downtown, Roseville, California.

Twirl favorites The Corner Laughers made me aware of a live show that they’re involved in, in order to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. So I’m broadcasting live from the event, which will feature live sets by The Corner Laughers, reggae band Simple Creation, and Ariel Ayres and Evan Offenstein.

But we’re also going to use this as an opportunity to do some good. And The Corner Laughers and the good folks at Mystery Lawn Studios have offered to sweeten the deal.

Go to the “Our Team Jen” page here, and donate what you can to combat leukemia and lymphoma:
http://pages.lightthenight.org/sj/SanJose12/OurGirlJen.

If you donate $20 or more, we’ll give you a free download of the NOT YET RELEASED Corner Laughers album “Poppy Seeds”.

If you donate $40 or more, we’ll give you all three Corners Laughers albums: Poppy Seeds, Ultraviolet Garden, and Tomb of Leopards.

For a $75 donation, you will get the entire recorded output of Mystery Lawn Studios: All 3 Corner Laughers albums, and albums by Agony Aunts (Corner Laughers alter ego), William Cleere & the Marvelous Fellas, and Allen Clapp’s Orchestra.

But anything you can donate is much appreciated. And if you donate, please forward your online donation receipt to me at twirl4acure@gmail.com, and that way, we’ll be able to tabulate how much good we did today.

Thanks, and enjoy the show!

May 19, 2012
Categories: Twirl Radio Events . . Author: twirlradio . Comments: Leave a Comment