The Summit FM

The Summit FM Musically Adventurous + Community Focused | Commercial-Free Public Radio for Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and Athens
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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are coming to Playhouse Square, in Cleveland, on February 24!
01/15/2026

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are coming to Playhouse Square, in Cleveland, on February 24!

Summit Album Essential for January 15: Bob Weir – Ace (1972)Back in 1972, the new decade was truly starting to define it...
01/14/2026

Summit Album Essential for January 15:
Bob Weir – Ace (1972)

Back in 1972, the new decade was truly starting to define itself with the release of such landmark albums as David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, The Slider from T. Rex, the debut from Roxy Music, as well as crucial releases from Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, and others. New sounds and styles were everywhere. At the same time, the ever-present bubblegum of the Osmonds and the Partridge Family was never far out of reach. Adding to the recipe were the likes of Jackson Browne, the Eagles, and more. In other words, anything was fair game.

It’s no shock, then, that the Grateful Dead were riding high during a big year. The band packed up and headed out for a grand-scale tour of Europe, well documented on the classic Europe ’72 triple album, as well as many other archived recordings. In addition, the band was unknowingly preparing to say farewell to original member and icon Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, who would leave this mortal coil following the tour in March of 1973, at the age of 27.

In the midst of all this activity, guitarist Bob Weir released his debut solo album, Ace. Jerry Garcia had put forth his solo album, Garcia, in January of ’72, and Weir followed with Ace in May. Rather than signaling a rift in the band, both releases proved to be healthy additions, as many of the songs from each would find their way into the Dead’s live repertoire for years to come.

Ace is chock full of great tunes—now classics—like “Cassidy,” “Black-Throated Wind,” “One More Saturday Night,” and what is perhaps Weir’s signature song, “Playing in the Band.” The seven-minute tune (in 10/8 time, by the way) would sometimes expand into versions lasting over the half-hour mark in a live setting, proving itself an improvisational standard for the band.

All of Weir’s bandmates in the Dead make appearances on Ace, giving it a familiar tone while its identity as a Weir effort remains rock solid. It stands as a crucial piece of the Dead’s history, mixing elements of folk, blues, and rock and roll in a somewhat streamlined fashion.

Tune in and turn on as we feature Bob Weir’s Ace all day Thursday for our Essential LP series!

(Written by Dave Swanson)

John Mellencamp - Dancing Words Tour The Greatest HitsJuly 21 - Blossom Music CenterOn Sale: Friday, January 23 @ 10 a.m...
01/14/2026

John Mellencamp - Dancing Words Tour The Greatest Hits
July 21 - Blossom Music Center
On Sale: Friday, January 23 @ 10 a.m. - ticketmaster.com

Volunteer Spotlight: Tom OlbrychMeet Tom Olbrych, one of the friendly faces you might see around the Summit FM studios. ...
01/13/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Tom Olbrych

Meet Tom Olbrych, one of the friendly faces you might see around the Summit FM studios. A longtime Northeast Ohio physician and Summit FM member, Tom began volunteering in early 2025 after attending his first Studio C Session in 2022 — and he’s been all in ever since.

Tom helps keep things running smoothly by working the front desk, answering contest calls, greeting guests in Studio C, and contributing to everything from artist bios and Summit Essentials info sheets to mailings and “This Day in Music History.” If it needs doing, Tom’s happy to help.

When he’s not volunteering, Tom enjoys spending time with family, golfing (by his own admission, not perfectly), dining with friends, and checking off a bucket-list goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark.

We’re incredibly grateful to Tom and all our volunteers who make The Summit FM possible. 🙏🏻

👉 Interested in volunteering at The Summit FM? Learn how to get involved and join our community at thesummit.fm.

Pavement is coming to The Agora on Thursday, July 23. Tickets will be available this Friday (1/16) at axs.com.
01/13/2026

Pavement is coming to The Agora on Thursday, July 23. Tickets will be available this Friday (1/16) at axs.com.

Band Of Horses is coming to The Agora on Friday, April 24, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their first album ...
01/12/2026

Band Of Horses is coming to The Agora on Friday, April 24, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their first album 'Everything All The Time,' with performances of the album in full, plus a special second set full of other hits, fan favorites, and whatever else they feel like playing that night. Tickets available this Friday (1/16) at axs.com.

Our Summit Presents series at the new Wadsworth Square Foundation Celestia Theater kicks off Saturday with The Shootouts...
01/08/2026

Our Summit Presents series at the new Wadsworth Square Foundation Celestia Theater kicks off Saturday with The Shootouts and A Band Named Ashes!

More shows coming soon from Sierra Hull, Milk Carton Kids, Angie Haze, The Vindys, Red Wanting Blue and more. We hope to see you there!

🎸👑 Today would have been Elvis Presley’s 91st birthday! From rockabilly beginnings to Vegas legend, the King left his ma...
01/08/2026

🎸👑 Today would have been Elvis Presley’s 91st birthday! From rockabilly beginnings to Vegas legend, the King left his mark on music and culture forever. 🙏🏻 What’s your favorite Elvis era or song? 🎵

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