Mid-Valley Mutations

Jukebox Jam 4: Live Archive Two!

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat. (The Digital Salon)

We return to the “jukebox” well, as I present a number of live recordings from the archives, and shuffle them together sort of randomly, as is my want. This is number 4 in a series of shows like this, with a little less “theme” than normal, but with still plenty of the bells and whistles (and changing record sounds) that you find in a show like this. Maulydaft sent in a little sound clip that got lots of play during the show, and given the date, we play the short story, “There Will Come Soft Rains,” as read by Leonard Nimoy, a story that was set on August 4th, 2026 / August 5th. The Digital Salon is fairly lively, and on the whole, we relive a wide range of tunes from live performances of the past, and present them to you, in the future!

Be Seeing You.

Dimestore Radio Theater #172 – New New Time! Same Same Show!

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat (The Digital Salon)

This is our first episode of Dimestore Radio Thater at our new, earlier time, freeing up our Monday Evenings! The show hasn’t changed, but the time – and our orientation for a little while anyway – will need a little adjusting. Please, join us on this strange and unusual adventure.

An accidentally switched laundry bag causes no end of headaches for Richard Diamond, who not only attracts the ire of few local hoods, but ends up needing to get the police involved to put the right bag in the right hands. Meanwhile, after witnessing a car crash where the driver had died, Rocky Jordan is offered an incredible amount of money to  solve the case. But the further he investigates, the more people he meets who could very well have done it themselves. Can Rocky find the killer, or will he need the help of local police to get out of this one?

After a short installment of Dimestore Revelations, and another clip of The Century, we return to Blackstone, The Magic Detective, and find that he was out in Hollywood, working on a movie, when he and Rhoda get embroiled in a kidnapping case. Rhoda and Blackstone use a few well-known magic tricks to communicate with each other secretly, and to find the kidnapped baby (as well as foil the kidnapper). And lastly, in X-Minus One, we bring you the story of Shock Troop, a tale about a space ship with a crew so small, that they colonize individual creatures, by acting almost like a virus.

It’s old time radio on your new-fangled device! Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Waves-A-Poppin’: An Audio Adventure For National Waterpark Day! (w/ Special Co-Host, Miss Rikki)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat. (The Digital Salon)

Several years ago, Waves-A-Poppin’, a local waterpark here in the Mid-Valley, was installed, to fanfare and excitement that was, frankly, completely unwarranted. However, this has not stopped them from trying to build up a little excitement about the park, and to – hopefully – drum up some business after a documentary crew has been called in to show people what the park has to offer.

Against our better judgement, we give you this glimpse into what makes this park unique, and gives you a chance to experience Waves-A-Poppin’ from the comfort of your own home. To help increase your entertainment, special occasional co-host, Miss Rikki, has been recruited to do the voice-overs for this documentary.

It’s summer fun fun. On the summer radio – o.

Be Seeing You.

Dimestore Radio Theater #171

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat (The Digital Salon)

This week is all dental records and “Third Base!” as Richard Diamond finds himself embroiled in two different requests on his time and talents, only to find that he’s being approached from different angles on the same case. Only on he should would a funeral, a Dentist, and a women’s baseball team all turn out to depend on how good Diamond is At The Bat. Then, it’s trouble for Rocky Jordan this week, as he attempts to care for a little girl, left with him by their mother, Clara. However, local thugs kidnap the girl, who is then left with a man who gets murdered, after which the girl disappears. Can Rocky unravel the murder, the case of the missing girl, and stay out of jail, all before he becomes the next victim?

Meanwhile, Blackstone is invited to help a friend of his – A Count – uncover the secret of a scam that seems to happen whenever a local Raja performs a seance. It seems as if everyone’s valuables disappear, but Blackstone is sure it’s just a simple trick, that even he can re-create. Lastly, we hear from X-Minus One, and their story this week, “The Coffin Cure.” What happens when a group of scientists decide to find a cure for the common cold, and manage to nearly eradicate it, completely? Wait a minute? What’s that… smell?

This is the LAST episode of Dimestore Radio Theater to air at this time. We’ll be moving to an earlier time on Mondays, starting next week. Thank you!

Enjoy!

Howlin’ At The Doom Part 7: Woody & Harry

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat. (The Digital Salon)

On July 14th, both Woody Guthrie and Harry Dean Stanton celebrated birthdays. In many ways, they are reflections of one another: lonely artists, traveling the world, trying to find some sense and meaning while both exercising their creative muscles to make a place for them out in the world. Both left behind incredible bodies of work, and each were featured in documentaries about their lives. We get around to celebrating their lives – and their births – in this three-hour exploration of their work.

We focus on listener requests and clips from these features, to paint a picture of the lives of two artists I love quite a bit. We also get a call from Bandit, singing the praises of Guthrie’s output, and we keep the flow going, to give you a more complete picture. We have at least one more “Woody & Harry” show in the chamber, so if you liked this one, stay tuned. There will be more!

Be Seeing You.

Dimestore Radio Theater: The 57th Anniversary of The Moon Landing Special!

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat (The Digital Salon)

On the anniversary of the first landing on the Moon, 57 years ago, we offer a series of broadcasts about Luna, our celestial neighbor who always has a friendly face to shine toward us. This is a chance to feature three stories we’ve aired before, but this time, “rebuilt and re-mastered” to give you a premium listening experience. It’s complete lunacy, and we invite you to join us.

We dip back into the catalog of Dimension X, and bring you three stories about the moon itself: “Destination Moon,” about the crew of the first ship headed to the moon, “The Man In The Moon,” about illegal radio broadcasts that appear to be coming from… The Moon itself? And of course, the Heinlein scripted, “Requiem,” about someone who has been wanting to visit the moon their entire life, and what happens when they finally get to make the trip.

We cap this off with James Burke documentary about our trips to the Moon, and an episode of The Planet Man about almost landing on the Moon. We also announce that our show will be moving to an earlier time, Monday Mornings. Check the WFMU “Sheena’s Jungle Room” schedule for more information!

Enjoy!

A Conversation w/ The Crew of The Film “All Figured Out”

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat. (The Digital Salon)

We speak with Brendan Tarver and William Twist of the film production, “All Figured Out,” a movie being made RIGHT HERE in the Mid-Valley, filmed and cast with locals who are all interested in making something interesting, and local. In-between conversations that last the entire three hours, Brendan and William offer DJ selections. Not only does the film feature a band that is central to the story – another Mid-Valley creation, Spit Locket – but Brendan writes to music as he develops his scripts, and he picked very specific set of songs that offer insight into characters, film ideas, and his take on how the music of the northwest is infused with the film they’re making.

It’s three hours dedicated to the minds of Brendan and William. We get to know them, their tastes, and their music… and hopefully turn you onto a film that you might enjoy, when all is said and done.

Be Seeing You.

Dimestore Radio Theater’s Movies On The Radio Double Feature: Dick Powell Part 4

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat (The Digital Salon)

Summer’s ready when you are, and during this time of year, we like to give the staff a break, and air some longer stories that you don’t get to hear during the rest of the year. And, picking up where we left off last week, here are the other two features starring the incomparable Dick Powell himself, radio veteran who had quite a bit of range, as you’ll hear tonight.

We start off with the Lux Radio Theater presentation of the musical, “My Gal Sal,” staring Rita Hayworth & Dick Powell. When a small-town entertainer realizes that he needs a new town and a new image to make it in show-biz, he manages to impress a singer with his songs, who wants to use them in her act… but doesn’t really want anything more. Can he persuade her into a romance that crosses the lines between stage and real life?

Then, in our second hour, we offer you the crime thriller, “To The Ends of The Earth.” Dick Powell plays an FBI agent, out to stop drugs from getting into the US, and he’ll travel to the ends of the earth to do it. In a story that covers a number of locations, and offers romance and spy craft, this is adventure on the radio, and a good way to enjoy a Monday night.

All this, and so much more, on this week’s installment of Dimestore Radio Theater!

Enjoy!

Eila Star, LIVE! (w/ Brad Anderson & Mac Dawg Interviews!)

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat. (The Digital Salon)

In what was a somewhat chaotic, but otherwise memorable and fun broadcast from the Lava Lamp Lounge Annex (my garage), we had the lovely and talented Eila Star join me for three hours of DJing, conversating, and in one instance, playing live on the radio! All of that, and more, in the action-packed, three hour show!

First, the incomparable Brad Anderson calls in, to talk about the show he’s playing with Eila Star and myself on Saturday, at the Portland Arts Collective. Brad is no stranger to the show, and it’s always nice to get his perspective. This time, he talks up some of his fave artists and influences, some of which we play during the show.

Then, in Hour 2, we get Mac Dawg on the line, recent collaborator working with the Dead Air Fresheners, who just put out an album together. We get the whole story, and get a taste of what Mac Dawg is like when they are freestylin’.

Then, get ready, because we get a live performance from Eila Star, and a jam session with Mini-Mutations and Valarie – a sort of Star Mutations – which ends up including callers from the Digital Salon, too. All the while, Valarie is picking the tunes, and keeping the show on track. It’s a great taste of their interests, and it’s a great way to get pumped for the show on Saturday.

This one is jam-packed. Dig in!

(Full Three Hour Show!)

(Just Eila Star’s Performance)

(Just the “Star Mutations” Performance)

Be Seeing You.

Dimestore Radio Theater’s Movies On The Radio Double Feature: Dick Powell Part 3

WFMU Playlist & Interactive Live Chat (The Digital Salon)

Summer’s ready when you are, and during this time of year, we like to give the staff a break, and air some longer stories that you don’t get to hear during the rest of the year. And, picking up where we left off last year, we have four more features starring the incomparable Dick Powell himself, radio veteran who had quite a bit of range, as you’ll hear tonight.

We start off with the Lux Radio Theater presentation of, “Springtime In The Rockies,” staring Betty Grable, Dick Powell, and Carmen Miranda, in one of those romantic comedies set in the world of entertainment, where the song and dance team of Dan and Vicki is on the rocks, and she’s left him for another man, Victor. Dan must use all of his resources available – including a recently hired valet and secretary – to win her back, so they can appear in a show that could earn them a nice paycheck. Can Dan prove to Vicki that it isn’t just money and women that’s on him mind?

Then, in our second hour, we offer you the romantic drama of “Mrs. Mike,” based on successful the novel, and then film of the same name. Mike – one of the Mounted Police in Canada – meets Catherine, a girl from Boston. As the film charts the course of their relationship, we find them following Mike’s job as a mountie, leading them to rural areas, helping those in need, and facing hardships that would test any relationship, no matter how strong. Can Mike and Catherine endure the difficulties of the Great White North, and find a place where they can both let their respective love bloom?

All this, and so much more, on this week’s installment of Dimestore Radio Theater!

Enjoy!