45th Annual Winter Park Art Festival

[steve]

<font color='#000000'>The 45th Winter Park Artfestival began this Friday.  The crowd has grown to an all new record however, the entertainment over the past few years seems to have significantly declined.  I remember the years (not too long ago) the festival included headliners such as Larry Carlton, Michael Franks, Richard Elliot, Richey Kickliter, Michael Tomlinson, Chick Corea, Bob James, The Rippingtons, David Sanborn and a extensive list of others.  The past few years, the last two in particular, have given way to the realm of over the top &quot;smooth&quot; jazz.  Last year we were bored to tears with &quot;Down to The Bone&quot; who's rendition of jazz was as &quot;smooth&quot; and lame as it comes; so I thought.  This year's line up began with Saxaphonist Eric Marienthal who was actually very entertaining.  So my expectations for the headline band was filled with anticipation, especially that he is touted as being a premier guitarist.  Well, a guitar he may play, and vocals too, but WLOQ's headline with Jonathan Butler made me rethink my annual attendance of what once was an awesome time.  

Jonathan Butler did what I call, the most boring 1-hour concert I painfully endured in my entire life and now, I really want that hour back.  The crowd was too tightly packed for me to get out with my coolers and chairs, so instead, I went to sleep.  I'm sorry to say that &quot;Smooth Jazz&quot; has become way too &quot;smooth&quot; for my tastes.  

If this is the best that the Winter Park Art Festival and WLOQ can offer, then I guesss I won't be attending the 46th annual show!  Man how I hate to lose what was once a very wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable tradition.</font>

 

[stiletto pat]

<font color='#000000'>** Thread Hijack **

I've been a avid rocker all my life, but having classical roots, and embraced the jazz side of things starting around the mid 80s. &nbsp;However, this whole smooth jazz radio crapola is really starting to get to me. &nbsp;I really enjoy great jazz, and try to catch concerts whenever feasable. &nbsp;However, I'm so completely disgusted and bored with the way the smooth jazz stations program - there must be literally 100's of thousands of hours of programming they could choose from, and instead, they play the same top 50 or so cuts over and over and over, until I almost hate the songs, and probably wouldn't buy those recordings if they paid me. &nbsp;Unfortunately, the rock stations and classic rock stations do the very same thing!! &nbsp;

Maybe I should have posted this rant under the steam vent, but I'd really like to know if others out there feel the same way. &nbsp;If so, maybe we need to launch some petitions to our some of these radio stations!!!! &nbsp;Or, maybe I'm just living in the past, when you never knew what you might catch on the FM airwaves.

Color me bummed with Radio today....

Pat</font>

 

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Pat unfortunately this problem in radio extends to all types of music. &nbsp;How many times do we have to listen to Stair Way To Heaven or Dark Side of the Moon. &nbsp;Both Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd offer so much more. &nbsp;How about a little &quot;Animals&quot; from Pink Floyd, or &quot;Trick of the Tail&quot; from Genesis. &nbsp;Yea Right

I only listen to talk radio now for Phil Hendrie is unbelievable! &nbsp;My two hour commute each day goes much faster thanks to him

</font>

 

[stiletto pat]

<font color='#000000'>Gene,

I too live in the Tampa Bay area. &nbsp;I don't know who Phil Hendrie is, or what station carries him, but how about letting me know. &nbsp;I recently listened to a book on tape - &quot;The DaVinchi Code&quot;, and was amazed at how quickly my 1 hour each way commute seemed to pass. &nbsp;Of course, it's a sad commentary to have a great car stereo, being reduced to playing a book on CD....

I too miss the good old days, back in the mid 70s, when we used to have the Underground Railroad on USF's station late at night - no telling what you'd hear there, from Pink Floyd's Echoes, to the Concert for Bangledesh. &nbsp;Also, on WQSR in Sarasota, they had an extremely free flow format. &nbsp;Well, no more, it's so preprogrammed that it's just no fun anymore. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pat</font>

 

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Pat;

Phil Hendrie is on 970AM from 7pm-10pm every night. &nbsp;If you crash your car from from being blinded by tears, Don't blame me! &nbsp;There have literally been times I had to pull over to avoid an accident. &nbsp;Let me know what you think. &nbsp;IMO he is the funniest dang thing that ever hit talk radio. &nbsp;Give it a few weeks to grow on you and I think you may agree.</font>