Blue Snakes & Banjos

10/03/2025

It's a busy weekend in Cincinnati, but if you haven't made plans, the place to be is WAIF-FM (88.3) Radio's 50th Anniversary shindig, 6-10 p.m. Saturday at 5 Points in Walnut Hills near the corner of Gilbert and McMillan). The world headquarters of Blue Snakes & Banjos and other fine programs, celebrates a half-century on the air with music, refreshments, niche celebrities and swag that you can use to help sustain another 50 years as the most important community over-the-air source in the Tristate. If you're familiar with our show, please say hello because Bob Hust and I wouldn't have our dream job if it wasn't for the support we receive from the listeners. See you there.

10/01/2025

If you missed Steven Rosen talking about One-Hit Wonder Day last week, listen to it here now. I guarantee it's more entertaining than the Bengals, Reds and Whisky Pete Hegseth's call for the military to use American cities as training grounds. Bob Hust and I will be on the air today to preview a weekend of great music, plus the WAIF 88.3 FM CIncinnati 50th Anniversary party Saturday evening at 5 Points in Walnut Hills. Join us 6-8 p.m. on WAIF-FM (88.3 in Cincinnati, streaming at WAIFRadio.org and BlueSnakesandBanjos.com).

http://bluesnakesandbanjos.com/september-24-2025/

Steve Rosen, the founder of One-Hit Wonder Day, joined Bill to explain the event’s origin and play a selection of the more interesting tunes.

09/25/2025

Mark your calendar for 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, when WAIF celebrates its 50th anniversary with a shindig your don't want to miss. Cincinnati's community radio station has become an important part of my life and I look forward to meeting people who have been involved for longer than Bob Hust and I have been. We've hosted Blue Snakes & Banjos for more than 11 years and we're still new kids. Hope to see you there.

09/24/2025

Music savant Steven Rosen joins us today to talk about One-Hit Wonder Day, an event he started on his birthday (Sept. 25) in 1990. It's always an interesting topic, and one of the few things that Bob Hust and I agree on when it comes to songs. Also, we'll feature another Jordan Smart tune from "Confessions of a CEO," and celebrate the 10th anniversary of Nora Jane Struthers visiting the studio, when she was touring behind her great album, "Wake." Tune in 6-8 p.m. on WAIF-FM (88.3 in Cincinnati, streaming at WAIFRaio.org and BlueSnakesandBanjos.com).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRFo72wuU6w

09/19/2025

We began the Sept. 17 show with a track from Jordan Smart's
new album, "Confessions of a CEO." I plan to do that each week for the near future because the Ludlow singer-songwriter has captured the crisis facing America and it's time to start pushing back. But it's not all gloom on the show as Bob Hust traces the importance of Hank Williams - Country Legend to the roots of rock 'n' roll. Join us 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays on WAIF-FM (88.3 in Cincinnati and streaming at WAIFRadio.org). And listen to past episodes at bluesnakesandbanjos.com.

http://bluesnakesandbanjos.com/september-17-2025/

Bob paid tribute to Hank Williams on his 102nd birthday. To paraphrase the Muddy Waters’ song, “The blues and hillbilly music had a baby and called it rock ’n’ roll.” With last week’s focus on jump…

09/17/2025

Ludlow singer-songwriter Jordan Smart has a new album, "Confessions of a CEO," that takes aim at the people who are leading America into the "sh****le country" category. Many people will be furious with what he's saying, but the good news is they can't get him fired. We'll play "Talkin' Second Coming' Blues" today, but there isn't a weak cut on the album. Buy it now at jordansmartmusic.com. Join us 6-8 p.m. today at WAIF-FM (88.3 in Cincinnati, streaming at WAIFRadio.org and bluesnakesandbanjos.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE-yXDsmaKQ&list=RDhE-yXDsmaKQ&start_radio=1

2023 Gems in the Rough winner Jordan Smart is back today with another carefully crafted piece of hard hitting songwriting. Jordan knows how to really say som...

09/08/2025

Thanks to a friend who is a big fan, I have four free tickets to the Yacht Rock R***e tomorrow (Sept. 9) at the Madison Theater. If you're not familiar with the genre, listen to this episode of Blue Snakes & Banjos from March. It will be a toe-tapping time.

Jack Greiner joined Bill for “Yacht Rock” night, which was a rousing success. Where were you between the years 1976 and 1982?

09/03/2025

If you missed last week's tribute to Buddy of Northside, you can catch up with the archived episode at BlueSnakesandBanjos.com. I'll be in the studio today to preview a number of cool shows coming to town this week, new music from some of my favorite folks, and a set of Warren Zevon covers to get you ready for the tribute at The Southgate House Revival on Sunday. Tune in 6-8 p.m. at WAIF-FM (88.3 in Cincinnati, streaming at WAIFRadio.org and the BS&B website above). Thanks for your support.

http://bluesnakesandbanjos.com/august-27-2025/

We paid tribute to our good Buddy, the dog of Annamarie Borich and Tim Gerhardt, the Pullan Peeps of Northside who are longtime Friends of the Show. Critters are family and we’ll miss her very much…

08/27/2025

After last week's tribute to the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," I'll celebrate another momentous rock 'n' roll event today. The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's grand opening at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium was Sept. 2, 1995. Janinne Thompson was smart enough to say we should go. Although my memory fails me these days, thanks to YouTube and Spotify, I have pieced together enough songs and videos to know that I really enjoyed it. Join us today from 6-8 p.m. on WAIF-FM (88.3 in Cincinnati (streaming at WAIFRadio and BlueSnakesandBanjos.com), then head for the YouTube. You find gems like this.

http://bit.ly/3HLkPhK

Al Green performs Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" at the Concert for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.Looking for more Rock Hall memories from Al Gr...

08/25/2025

Celebrate today's 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" by listening to our tribute on last week's edition of Blue Snakes & Banjos.

Bill celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s classic “Born to Run,” while Friend of the Show Jack Greiner serenaded Bob with an original song to mark 300 consecutive days of Wordle s…

08/08/2025

Emma Ranney and Jared Metz will see the fruition of their work today when Arcade Music Fest kicks off in Covington's West Pike district. Read how a fever dream inspired a new event with more than 80 bands, 40 vendors and multiple visual artists in the heart of the city.

The Arcade Musical Festival will feature more than 80 bands, at least 40 vendors and a number of visual artists surrounding the Arcade Tunnel in Covington's burgeoning entertainment district.

08/06/2025

Join Bob Hust and me in the studio today as we catch up with the summer's goings on. We'll say goodbye to some, happy birthday to others and preview things to do this weekend and beyond. Tune in 6-8 p.m. at WAIF-FM (88.3 in Cincinnati, streaming at WAIFRadio.org and BlueSnakesandBanjos.com.

http://bit.ly/4lYqeAI

Karla Bonoff plays Goodbye My Friend at The Coach House 02-15-24 , , , !I'm Producing shows at Camp...