Dig Into this Week’s Trio of Top-Flight Specialty Shows

November 28, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

mic-small 10 We offer to you, as November gets ready to morph into December and work of a holiday nature within these hallowed halls continues apace, a trio of our regular specialty shows to keep things of all sorts on track. Your nighttime soundtrack on Pure Pop Radio? Why, we don’t mind if we do.

Oh, and work of a something’s-new-under-the-sun nature is also continuing apace. In fact, this something new should be arriving any time now. Oh, just you wait…!

Tonight at 8 pm ET, Jammin’ James Riley fires off another summer-infused set of sun-drenched tunes on Catching a Wave. Perched in front of your Internet radio receptacle, you will delight in Jammin’ James’ spins from artists such as Keith Sykes, Eddie and the Showmen, Jan and Dean, the Beach Boys, Dick Dale, and many more.

For this week’s The Weird and the Wonderful, hitting the Internet airwaves at 1 pm ET on Wednesday, Scott McPherson’s gathered up quite the catchy lunchtime meal composed of catchy, top-flight songs, including sumptuous specimens from Jellyfish, Aimee Mann, Paul McCartney, KC Bowman, the Semantics, and George Harrison. Much more, too? Certainly, but you’ll have to tune in to find out the score.

Thursday night’s all-new gathering, at 8 pm ET, of our Beatles experts on Things We Said Today sees Ken Michaels, Steve Marinucci, Al Sussman and Allan Kozinn greet Chip Madinger, co-author of Lennonology, Strange Days Indeed – A Scrapbook of Madness. Chip joins in on an in-depth look at John Lennon’s Imagine album, currently celebrating its 45th anniversary.

That’s this week in specialty shows here on Pure Pop Radio, your original 24-hour Internet radio station playing the greatest melodic pop music in the universe. Dig in…and keep an eye out, because something very cool and explosive is coming soon!

alanhaberspurepopradiographiclarge1-wp header

A Specialty Show Bonanza? An Exclusive First Airing of Every Little Thing, Starring the Weeklings? You Bet, Hoss!

November 14, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

mic-small 10 This week’s lineup of Pure Pop Radio specialty shows is nothing less than a bonanza, a rich run of programs designed to entertain and delight.

And now, to get our week’s worth of programming off and running, we’re pleased as punch to announce that Pure Pop Radio is the first affiliate to air tonight’s all-new edition of Ken Michaels’ Beatles get-together, Every Little Thing, starring the Weeklings. Ken talks to the Weeklings themselves and plays two sparkling tracks from the group’s new album, Studio 2, which comes out this Friday via Jem Records. Also on tap tonight, beginning at 8 pm ET: the usual top-flight group of songs from the Beatles, from their group and solo years.

Also tonight, November 14 at 9 pm ET, Jammin’ James Riley presents the second part of his exclusive interview with Dean Torrence (he of Jan and), and tracks by Duane Eddy, Dennis Wilson, Hal Blaine and the Young Cougars, Laughing Gravy, and the Ramones. Jammin’ James keeps the spirit of summer sounds alive, every Monday night.

You can read all about this week’s double shot of all-new episodes of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, featuring the Legal Matters and the Nines’ Steve Eggers, by clicking here. Reserve tomorrow night at 8 pm ET for Alan Haber’s chat with Andy Reed, Chris Richards, and Keith Klingensmith, and Wednesday, November 16 at 9 pm ET for an in-depth conversation with Mr. Eggers.

Make a nice sandwich and pour a hot cup of soup in time to check in with Pop 4’s Scott McPherson on Wednesday, November 16 at 1 pm ET. On this week’s edition of The Weird and the Wonderful, Scott will be spinning a selection of songs that wear their influences on their sleeves. Tracks from Elvis Costello, the Spongetones, Teenage Fanclub, XTC, the Sugarplastic, the Fraternal Order of the All (aka Andrew Gold and friends), and the Cowsills are just the collective tip of the musical iceberg on Scott’s seventh show, with tons more shows to come.

Winding up this week’s specialty show lineup is our esteemed panel of Beatles experts on an all-new edition of Things We Said Today, the premiere Fabs roundtable. This week, Ken Michaels, Steve Marinucci, Al Sussman and Allan Kozinn talk about the Beatles and politics, and discuss Paul McCartney’s latest soundtrack song: Does our panel feel that “In the Blink of an Eye,” featured in the new animated film, Ethel and Ernest, makes the grade? Tune in and find out.

What a week! We’ve got one more all-new In Conversation show to bring you before the Thanksgiving holiday: one of our “Just for Fun” sessions, this time around with Beatlefan magazine executive editor Al Sussman. Details are forthcoming. You won’t want to miss this show!

See you on the radio for this week’s lineup of Pure Pop Radio specialty shows!

alanhaberspurepopradiographiclarge1-wp header

The Weeklings and Dana Countryman Star in this Week’s Specialty Show Lineup. Plus: Weeklings Two-Fers! You Can Win the Weeklings’ New Album on CD and Cassette!

November 7, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

mic-small 10 This week’s lineup of specialty shows on Pure Pop Radio is set to wow listeners with the premiere of the first single from Dana Countryman’s upcoming super secret album on the great Australian label, Teensville Records, the kickoff of our Eight Days a Week marathon, celebrating the imminent release of the Weeklings’ new album, Studio 2, and a whole lot more. Plus: Dig our hourly Weeklings Two-Fers, now playing through November 18. Now, looking ahead…

Next week: A Pure Pop Radio First Airing:
A very special edition of Ken Michaels’ Beatles extravaganza Every Little Thing with the Weeklings! Details forthcoming.

Okay. Let’s get to the info you need to know! Here’s the quick hit list of this week’s shows:

Jammin’ James Riley’s Catching a Wave (Tonight, 9 pm ET)
Scott McPherson’s The Weird and the Wonderful (Wednesday, November 9, 1 pm ET)
Glen “Lefty Weekling” Burtnik’s in-studio appearance on the old, weekly Pure Pop Radio show (Wednesday, November 9, 9 pm ET)
Lefty and Zeek Weekling on a rebroadcast of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation
(Thursday, November 10, 8 pm ET)
Dana Countryman on an all-new Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation (Thursday, November 10, 9:15 pm ET)

And here’s the inside scoop on each of this week’s shows:

We’re celebrating the imminent release of the Weeklings’ fab new album, Studio 2, recorded in Abbey Road’s same-named Beatles sanctuary, with our Eight Days a Weekling marathon. Beginning today, hear hourly Weeklings Double Shots through Friday, November 18; Glen “Lefty” Burtnik’s 1997 in-studio live performance on the weekly Pure Pop Radio Show (Wednesday, November 9, 9 pm ET), and a rebroadcast of Lefty and Zeek’s appearance on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation (Thursday, November 10, 8 pm ET).
Your handy-dandy cutoutable Eight Days a Weekling schedule can be found here. Also here: Find out about this week’s contest to win not only a Studio 2 CD but also the album on cassette with three Beatle cover bonus tracks unavailable anywhere else. (Look for the contest this Thursday, November 10).

Pure Pop Radio favorite Dana Countryman’s next album, due out in January, is preceded by a wonderful single that releases this Friday, November 11. Dana joins Alan Haber on In Conversation to talk about the song and the album in an exclusive chat you won’t want to miss! You’ll hear the song, exclusive to our humble station through November 15 (it’s destined to be one of your favorite tracks of the year) and Dana’s voice-and-piano demo! (Thursday, November 10, 9:15 pm ET)

This week’s all-new edition of Jammin’ James Riley’s Catching a Wave features part one of a two-part interview with none other than Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean and tracks from the Atlantics, Dick Dale, the Beach Boys and so much more. (Monday, November 7, 9 pm ET)

Pop 4 and Tiny Volcano’s Scott McPherson checks in with the sixth all-new episode of The Weird and the Wonderful lunchtime show (Wednesday, November 10, 1 pm ET). This time around, it’s a tribute to the great band Prefab Sprout, featuring tracks from the band and artists covering and tipping their musical hats. It’s an hour of pure delight!

Pure Pop Radio has your specialty show needs covered this and every week!

alanhaberspurepopradiographiclarge1-wp header

Lefty and Zeek Weekling’s Beatlesque Backbeat Powers this Week’s Lineup of Pure Pop Radio Specialty Shows

October 17, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

mic-small 10 This week’s lineup of Pure Pop Radio specialty shows provides the swinging backbeat for your evening entertainment.

What’s shaking? Lefty and Zeek Weekling provide the Beatlesque backbeat for this week’s all-new edition of Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, Scott McPherson spins some underappreciated sides on the latest edition of his lunchtime smash, The Weird and the Wonderful, Jammin’ James Riley talks to Pure Pop Radio favorite Randell Kirsch on a first-run Catching a Wave, and our regular panel of Beatles experts, along with Dr. Kit O’Toole, looks at the reinvention of George Harrison in the 1980s on the weekly Beatles roundtable, Things We Said Today.

Big Event
This week’s big event, airing at 8 pm ET this Tuesday, October 18 on Pure Pop Radio: In Conversation, finds Lefty and Zeek Weekling (aka Glen Burtnik and Bob Burger) talking to Alan Haber about The Weeklings’ upcoming second album, Studio 2, being released by Jem Records. Recorded in Abbey Road’s Studio 2, the exciting long player features eight Weeklings originals and four rare Lennon and McCartney compositions, three of which even dedicated Beatles fans might not even know about. You’ll hear three songs from Studio 2 and listen to Lefty and Zeek recount their London, England adventures and the stories behind their new recordings. It’s a Fab hour-and-a-smidge you won’t want to miss.

Back to the Beach
Tonight at 8 pm ET, Jammin’ James Riley kicks off our specialty show week with an all-new trip to the sun-soaked land of summer-drenched tunes on Catching a Wave. Jammin’ James talks to Pure Pop Radio favorite Randell Kirsch and spins some of his songs, plus classics from Al Jardine and Friends, The Legendary Masked Surfers, Papa Doo Run Run, and many more of your favorite artists.

The Weird and the Wonderful
Scott McPherson checks in this Wednesday, October 19 at 1 pm ET, with another all-new edition of his lunchtime hit, The Weird and the Wonderful. Scott’s playlist is chock full of songs that have been underappreciated by the masses; cuts from Millard Powers, Kevin Moore, and Andy Thompson are the order of the day. Join Scott for the musical accompaniment to your weekly soup and sandwich combo. A splendid time, etc.

The 1980s Reinvention of George Harrison
This Thursday night, October 20 at 8 pm ET, the weekly Beatles roundtable, Things We Said Today, takes a look at George Harrison’s reinvention in the 1980s with Dr. Kit O’Toole, who makes a return appearance on the show. The panel also talks about the new film, The Lennon Report, a fictional look at that fateful night, December 8, 1980. Steve Marinucci has seen the film, and gives his on-the-spot report.

Look forward to this coming week’s worth of top-flight specialty shows here on Pure Pop Radio. We’ve got your evening entertainment covered!

alanhaberspurepopradiographiclarge1-wp header

Delight Your Senses with This Week’s Pure Pop Radio Specialty Shows

October 10, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

mic-small 10 All-new episodes of Jammin’ James Riley’s Catching a Wave, Scott McPherson’s The Weird and the Wonderful, and the weekly Beatles roundtable, Things We Said Today, will delight your senses this week on Pure Pop Radio.

You’d better wax your surfboard in anticipation of tonight’s hour in the surf and sun with Jammin’ James Riley’s Catching a Wave. Jammin’ James talks to legendary Los Straitjackets guitarist Eddie Angel, and spins sumptuous sides from Dick Dale, The Martin Denny Orchestra, The Neanderthals, The Chantays, Glen Campbell, and many more of your favorites. Tune in at 8 pm ET. Surf’s up!

This Wednesday afternoon, October 12 at 1 pm ET, Pop 4 and Tiny Volcano’s master of melody Scott McPherson brings you another pop-filled episode of The Weird and the Wonderful. Scott gets nostalgic from the sounds of not-too-long-ago as he plays songs from Colorworks, The Corner Laughers, Sondre Lerche, and The Blood Sugars. Plus, you’ll find out how to sing like the great Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, baby!

Wrapping up this week’s slate of specialty shows on Pure Pop Radio, Ken Michaels, Steve Marinucci, Al Sussman, and Allan Kozinn look back on some of their favorite moments from past Things We Said Today shows. Celebrating 200 information-filled roundtables, Allan remembers the panel’s conversation with Wings guitarist Laurence Juber; Steve remembers a conversation with Paul McCartney guitar player Rusty Anderson; Ken revisits Allan’s look at the progression of “Strawberry Fields Forever” from a show that concerned itself with The Beatles’ greatest studio miracles, and Al fondly talks about Beatlefan senior editor Rick Glover, whose Fans on the Run designation refers to the many, many Paul McCartney shows he has been to. It’s a show you won’t want to miss.

That’s this week’s specialty show rundown. Keep listening to Pure Pop Radio, all day and all of the night. We play the best melodic pop in the universe!

Dial into a Weird and Wonderful Week of Specialty Shows on Pure Pop Radio

October 3, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

mic-small 10 This first full week of October brings to you a full slate of weird and wonderful specialty shows on Pure Pop Radio. What’s in store?

This week’s big event is the premiere of the new show hosted by Pop 4 and Tiny Volcano’s melody maker, Scott McPherson. Scott’s The Weird and the Wonderful debuts this Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm ET. Yes, we’re filling your mid-week lunchtime slot with sounds spun by a master of melodic wonder, including, during this first go-around, songs from The Major Labels, Seth Swirsky, Roswell, and Jon Brion. Plus, Scott converses celestially with one of the top hep cats ever to tread the show business boards, Sammy Davis, Jr. (Scott has, you know, connections.)

Before we turn the calendar pages to this Wednesday, we look to tonight’s specialty show fare. At 8 pm ET, Ken Michaels is back with an all-new edition of Every Little Thing. This week, Ken talks to famed Beach Boys lyricist and poet Stephen Kalinich, and spins an acoustic set featuring both Beatles and solo Beatles tracks.

Jammin’ James Riley follows tonight in the 9 o’clock slot with his latest survey of cool summer sounds on Catching a Wave, where The Explorers Club, Donna Loren, The Beach Boys, The Sabres and Danny Amis and the Twin Tones negotiate the sun-soaked vibes rocking our host’s virtual beach.

After Scott McPherson’s The Weird and the Wonderful kicks off its run this Wednesday at 1 pm ET, musician Brian Bringelson lowers the tone arm onto a bevy of records on the latest edition of Needle Meets Vinyl. Tune in at 8 pm ET on Wednesday for a triple-play of Beatles tunes, and equally fantastic sides from across the decades from such artists as The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Michael Nesmith and the First National Band, and Emitt Rhodes. It’s all vinyl, all the time for a festive celebration of 33 1/3 and 45 rpm spins.

We close the book on this first week of October’s run of specialty shows on Pure Pop Radio with another very special edition of the weekly Beatles roundtable, Things We Said Today. This Thursday at 8 pm ET, our esteemed panel of Fab experts speaks with Nigel Sinclair, the producer, and Paul Crowder, the editor of Ron Howard’s Beatles film, Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years. This is your chance to go deep inside the making of this popular film, now playing on Hulu and in specialty theaters.

Don’t miss the debut of Scott McPherson’s lunchtime show, The Weird and the Wonderful, and all-new editions of Every Little Thing, Catching a Wave, Needle Meets Vinyl and Things We Said Today. Pure Pop Radio has your nighttime listening covered!

It’s Weird and Altogether Wonderful! Pop 4’s Scott McPherson Chows Down with You Beginning Next Wednesday, October 5

September 28, 2016May 17, 2021 ~ Alan Haber's Pure Pop Radio ~ Leave a comment

Pop 4 and Tiny Volcano’s musical ringmaster, Scott McPherson, weaves a tantalizing web of hooks and harmony, punctuated by the occasional making of a mirthful aside or two, on his new Pure Pop Radio lunchtime show, The Weird and the Wonderful, debuting next Wednesday afternoon, October 5, at 1 pm ET here on Pure Pop Radio.

Lunch and catchy tunes are served! Set your midday soup and sandwich combo on your tray table (and don’t forget your cutlery, condiments, and napkin) while you listen to the most excellent, weird and wonderful first episode. You’ll virtually chow down with Scott and hear him play some truly outstanding tracks from The Major Labels, Seth Swirsky, Foxtails Brigade, and Jon Brion, among others, and you’ll dig the hipster lingo coming from special guest “Sammy Davis, Jr.,” who visits The Weird and the Wonderful from the great, swinging beyond. It’ll be a gas, maaaan!

scott-mcpherson-15 Scott McPherson’s The Weird and the Wonderful airs Wednesday afternoons at 1 pm ET on Pure Pop Radio. Each week, expect a wide-ranging selection of hooks and harmony that will put a smile on your face. Weird? Check. Wonderful? Check. Your regular, weekly lunchtime companion? Indeed. Lunchtime never tasted so good!

alanhaberspurepopradiographiclarge1-wp header