The Slacker Morning Show

In a normal year, an anonymous, wealthy businessman posing as "Secret Santa" personally hands out hundreds of $100 bills to random strangers. But this year, the novel coronavirus called for a novel method to deliver gifts to selected essential workers across the nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Collaboration With Iconic Rock Band Collective Soul and VolunteerMatch, CUMULUS MEDIA Unveils PROJECT SHINE

Nationwide Appeal to Volunteerism Launches Today Across 422 U.S. Radio Stations and Westwood One Network

CUMULUS MEDIA today announces the launch of PROJECT SHINE, a cross-platform charitable initiative, serving as a nationwide call to local volunteerism through partner VolunteerMatch, the world’s largest volunteer engagement network. PROJECT SHINE will be promoted on the company’s 422 radio stations and websites across 87 U.S. markets and through CUMULUS MEDIA’s Westwood One, the largest audio network in the U.S., with creative promos framed by a new version of iconic rock band Collective Soul’s hit “Shine”, re-recorded exclusively for PROJECT SHINE.

PROJECT SHINE encourages Cumulus’ hundreds of millions of listeners to visit local station websites to instantly connect with VolunteerMatch’s powerful search engine and database and find local volunteer opportunities. The campaign was produced by Cumulus, with support from production company Benztown and McVay Media.

PROJECT SHINE is an evergreen campaign that will inspire local acts of service and human connection in a world that has seen its share of challenges. VolunteerMatch serves over 130,000 participating nonprofits, 150 network partners, and 1.3 million annual website visitors. There are currently 3.2 million volunteers needed by non-profits organizations on VolunteerMatch -- with over 700,000 of those openings for virtual volunteers, and many postings for safely-distanced activities.

Brian Philips, EVP, Content & Audience, CUMULUS MEDIA, said: “PROJECT SHINE serves as a conduit for human connection. We make it easy for good people to connect with great causes through VolunteerMatch. In every town, in every corner of America, some darkness subsides, and a new ray of light appears. Through service, we help ourselves and the whole world is better for it.”

Philips noted: “We thank our friend Ed Roland and Collective Soul, whose timeless song “Shine” was the inspiration for this project. Ed’s exciting new version elevates PROJECT SHINE and brings fresh light to a nation in need.”

Ed Roland, Founder and Lead Vocalist, Collective Soul, commented: “When I was 12 years old, my father told me that one day, there will be no city lines, no county lines, no state lines, or even country lines – there will only be humankind. VolunteerMatch is a program that connects all of us to work together and make a positive impact for the greater good. I want to thank Brian Philips and everyone at Cumulus for allowing us to be a part of PROJECT SHINE. Together we can make a difference.“

Laura Plato, Chief Solutions Officer, VolunteerMatch, remarked: “VolunteerMatch is honored to join forces with CUMULUS MEDIA to help everyone find a way to lend a hand in their local community -- and virtually across America – through PROJECT SHINE. We’re huge believers in the power of both volunteer service and music to uplift, inspire, and heal. And we’re excited to see volunteers unite in support of our nation’s nonprofits.”

Visit: https://www.cumulusmedia.com/shine/ to connect to a nonprofit you love through PROJECT SHINE

Marcus Scribneris an American actor. He is best known for starring as Andre Johnson Jr. on the ABC sitcom Black-ish and voicing the character Bow in the critically acclaimed Netflix animated series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.

Scribner was born and raised in Los Angeles. His name is derived from Roman and Greek mythology, like those of his father Troy and sister Athena. Scribner also has a dog named Zeus whom he adopted as a puppy to commemorate his first professional acting job.[3] Similar to his character on Black-ish, his father is black while his mother is biracial (black and white).[4] His father's family is from Los Angeles while his maternal grandmother is from England.[5][6] Scribner attended an Elementary School where most of the kids were Jewish.[4] He began studying acting at age seven.[7] At the time he was very shy and didn't have any hobbies. In addition to sports, Scribner took an acting class and immediately fell in love with it. From that point, Scribner took acting classes on the weekends.[8] Scribner later admitted that at the time, he was afraid of getting injured.[5] Despite that, he enjoys sports such as basketball and lacrosse and also loves video games.[9] When he was in kindergarten, Scribner hit his head on concrete while playing basketball and had to get five staples.[10] Scribner started playing the clarinet in fifth grade.[11] Though Scribner started at public high school in 2014, by early 2015, he was enrolled in home school to accommodate his work schedule

Jane Lynch                 

This achingly funny character actress honed her comedic skills touring with the famed Second City troupe and playing the matriarch in the early '90s cult stage hit The Real Live Brady Bunch, which also helped launch Andy Richter. For the rest of the decade, Lynch racked up an impressive array of TV guest spots, mostly on sitcoms (Married... with Children, 3rd Rock from the Sun, NewsRadio) that showcased her dry delivery. But it was her riotous turn as a lesbian dog trainer in Christopher Guest's 2000 mockumentary Best in Show that launched her movie career. Not only did she go on to appear in small but memorable roles in a string of popular comedies (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby), she enjoyed a creative collaboration with Guest, who used her to great effect in his subsequent films (a porn star turned folk singer in A Mighty Wind, a condescending entertainment reporter in For Your Consideration). However, Lynch landed her biggest role to date on the small screen, as the scheming cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on Glee, where she got to show off her singing and dancing talents to great effect.

The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band release their first live DVD, ‘Straight To You Live,’ on November 27, 2020 via Provogue/Mascot Label Group. The live set is available on DVD +CD, Blu-Ray +CD, 2LP vinyl and digitally. This review is based on the DVD.

And what a live concert film it is. You can’t go wrong with the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, with five-time Grammy nominated blues/rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Noah Hunt on vocals and guitar, Chris Layton on drums, Joe Krown on keyboards, Scott Nelson on bass, Joe Sublett on sax, and Mark Pender on trumpet.

Filmed at the Leverkusen Jazzstage in Germany during the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band tour to support their latest album, The Traveler (2019), thankfully this concert was captured on film before the tour was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. For those starved for live blues/rock music, especially Kenny Wayne Shepherd music, grab this straight away. Straight To You Live is a must see. It’s about as live as you can get and its filmed beautifully, crisp and clear, with great sound and multiple camera angles so you really feel like you are there.

The seven-piece band takes the stage, most dressed in all black, including Kenny Wayne Shepherd with Stratocaster in hand. They kick off the show with “Woman Like You,” a high-energy rocker from The Traveler. Vocalist Noah Hunt with his rich, soulful voice, blasts off the song. With swagger and confidence, Shepherd heads into the first killer guitar solo of the night, muscular vibrato combined with soulful, virtuosic skills.

The stage is set up in minimalistic fashion with a few tall, steel, open structures with neon blue tube lights snaking up the rails. Just enough atmosphere, along with interesting lighting, as a backdrop for a dynamic artist who comes alive on stage with his guitar. The band is in peak form.

Without a second to spare, Shepherd and the band launch into “Mr. Soul” (Buffalo Springfield), a rocking number with Hunt on main vocal duties and Shepherd on guitar and backing vocals. Horns play a significant part of this song and in the entire show, expertly played and in just the right places. The band is tight. Shepherd plays blistering guitar solos on every song, and for guitar fans, blues/rock fans, this is a feast. Straight To You Live is an experience on every sensory level.

After “Long Time Running” where Hunt’s full-bodied vocals shine, Shepherd introduces the band and asks the audience, “How’s everybody doing tonight?” An extended version of “I Want You” finds Shepherd on lead vocals, his voice is in fine form, stronger than ever. This blues rocker is a standout and he and the band relax into the groove. Shepherd, playing a different Strat now, sinks into an impressive and soulful guitar solo, followed by interludes of organ, sax and trumpet. The band is rocking. And the crowd goes wild, whistling, clapping, hollering.

Photo: Ryan Swanich

If you haven’t seen Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band perform live, you’re in for a treat with Straight To You Live as it showcases Shepherd’s passion and energy on stage, his synergy with Hunt, and their interplay, the band’s tremendous performance.

Steve Lukather aka “Luke” and Joseph Williams will release individual solo albums on February 26, 2021 via The Players Club / Mascot Label Group. Both artists have made significant contributions to the other’s album. Earlier this year, the label presented “Run To Me” from Luke’s forthcoming release I Found The Sun Again, which can be screened here: https://youtu.be/mvbHYmh7VYY. Today, the first reveal from Williams’ album titled Denizen Tenant has hit streaming platforms globally. To hear the song, and view the video produced by the artist himself for “Never Saw You Coming” click here: https://youtu.be/FTJ5KHcnWiM

Williams shares, “’Never Saw You Coming’ is my first opportunity in ages to show my true sound.  Although my album is an eclectic collection of songs, this one tells you what you need to know to get a real sense of the whole. You can see where I’m going vocally for sure. It all starts with ‘Never Saw You Coming,’ plus I thought it was time we had a cool sexy song about death! Enjoy…”

Steve Lukather’s solo album titled I Found The Sun Again was co-produced by Ken Freeman, who also both engineered and mixed the new collection of repertoire. The players feature many dignitaries that have been in Luke’s life for decades. Amongst those are drummer Greg Bissonette, keyboardist Jeff Babko, and bassists Jorgen Carlsson and John Pierce. Life-long friend and Toto band-mate David Paich performs piano and organ across the album, while Joseph Williams sang on multiple tracks alongside writing string and horn arrangements and tracking keys on the aforementioned “Run To Me.” Both Paich and Williams co-wrote that specific composition, while friend and band leader of the All-Starrs, Ringo Starr makes a special appearance on the recording and in the video. Other co-writers include Stan Lynch, Jeff Babko, and of course Joseph Williams.

Luke shares, “Never had so much fun recording in my life. Painless, fun and easy - and it just flowed.” The repertoire features five new original compositions, and three covers personally selected by Luke. Those are Traffic’s “Low Spark of High Heeled Boys,” Joe Walsh’s “Welcome To The Club,” and Robin Trower’s “Bridge of Sighs.” Lukather offers in the liner notes, “ALL these tracks were cut LIVE - no clix - no fix - No rehearsal - one run thru - and record and the whole record was take 2. I did double a few guitar parts and ‘produced up’ a few tunes that are obvious but in the same time frame. I recorded the lead vocal right after we got the take same day. One song a day. Joe took it home and did some BG vocals but that’s it. I wanted to make as honest a record as I could in 2020 with 1970's inspiration, and recording values, and techniques with a modern sound. Ken did that!” A portion of the proceeds from this album will be directed to The Ed Asner Family Center for Autism. For more information please visit https://www.edasnerfamilycenter.org/.