On this episode of Air Check:
Jake, Jeff and Vicky present their favorite new songs of the season, Vicky has a chat with legendary soul, rhythm and blues artist Booker T. Jones, Vintage Voltage host GT dissects four patriotic pop songs from the past, Rence Liam discusses his new Dear Rabbit album They're Not Like You, and Jake tells the story of Ulysses Baxter, a rock-and-roll musician who pushed a peanut up Pikes Peak--with his nose--in the summer of 1963.
PART ONE: A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE SONGS
As usual, the first segment of Air Check has Vicky, Jeff, and Jake gather 'round to discuss some notable new releases. They're all featured below:
Jamie Isaac - "Pigeon" - from forthcoming album, Couch Baby
Beth Orton - "Moon" - from Kidsticks
Case/Lang/Veirs - "Down I-5" - from Case/Lang/Viers
PART TWO: AN INTERVIEW WITH BOOKER T. JONES
In this segment, Vicky Gregor interviews legendary blues songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Booker T. Jones. Jones discusses his prolific musical career, beginning with his iconic tune Green Onions and his induction into Stax Records as a mere teenager. The legend is still swinging after 50 years; you'll be able to hear him perform this year at the Tenth Annual Blues Under the Bridge festival on July 30th.
PART THREE: "AMERICA" - A SONIC SHOWCASE WITH VINTAGE VOLTAGE'S G.T.
In celebration of July 4th, KRCC’s very own GT shares and discusses two songs titled “America” that are as musically diverse as America itself. Jeff Bieri interviews.
GT is host of Vintage Voltage, a show in which he shares his scholarly expertise of the pop from the past. You can hear Vintage Voltage every Saturday from 8-10pm.
PART FOUR: DEAR RABBIT
Rence Liam has been recording and performing as Dear Rabbit since 2011, and over the last five years he's built a following for his vivid songwriting, visceral singing voice, and energetic live shows. A relentless traveler, Liam has performed in almost every state in the nation, making his way from city to city in his Toyota Corolla (which boast 360,000 miles, according to Liam). In this segment, Vicky Gregor speaks with Liam about Dear Rabbit and his new album, They’re Not Like You.
Dear Rabbit will be celebrating the release of the new album July 20th at Ivywild School.
PART 5: ULYSSES BAXTER, AKA THE PIKES PEAK PEANUT PUSHER
In this segment, we share a story from the annals of Southern Colorado music history. In July of 1963, a 21-year-old rock-and-roll musician named Ulysses Baxter made history in Colorado Springs when he ascended Pikes Peak on hands and knees, pushing a peanut the whole way. His incredible journey--which lasted eight days--was documented by newspapers, radio, and TV stations across the country, and helped propel Baxter and his music into the national spotlight.
Baxter is 74 today, living in his hometown of Oklahoma City. He spoke with Jake Brownell for this story.
Featured below are a few of Baxter's songs from the 1960s:
