Local 518

03/20/2025

Tonight at 9:00pm 🕚 on WEXT Radio, Andy Gregory has a half dozen cool & groovy songs on the playlist...
Louis Emory and The Reckless Few - "Do What I Want To Do"
Areli - "I Love You More"
Annie in the Water - "Dancing the Night Away"
Ria Curley Music & Art - "Help Is On The Way (feat. Chuck Lamb Music & Piano)"
Carmen Lookshire - "A Small Café"
Christine Bilé Music - "The Guru"

ATTIC CLASSIC: In 1967, Riccardo and the 4 Most released their one and only single, a ballad titled “There’s a Reason,” on the group’s own Foremost Records. The band listed on the 45’s label noted Riccardo Wright on guitar, Ralph Marotta on bass, George Leary on drums, and Douglas Jacobs on organ. The track was written and sung by Bill White. Recorded at Kennett Sound Studio in Kinderhook, “There’s a Reason” remains as a reminder of the band’s place in the local music scene.

In ads promoting their live shows, the group used numerous variations of their name – Riccardo & the Fourmost, Ricardo and the 4-Most, Ricardo and the Foremosts, and The Fabulous 4 Most – perhaps dependent on where they were playing any given weekend. In any case, it didn’t seem to have affected their popularity.

In 1969 the band evolved into The Blues Busters, transforming from a quartet to a nine-piece complete with a horn section. This expansion marked a stylistic shift, moving the band’s sound into rhythm and blues and soul. The group quickly gained attention for their music mix to include originals, and commitment to in*******al harmony, both musically and personally, a notable characteristic during a time of social change.

For the Local 518 Attic Classic, the version of "There's A Reason" comes from Volume Three of a CD compilation series called ‘Shades of Sorrow: Rare Chicano & Blue-Eyed Soul Ballads.’

At 9:30pm 🕧 listen to a with Shannon Tehya. She's hosting & performing at a fundraiser show with Shannon Tehya & The Troupe at Unihog March 22 for Kimmy's Kitty Corner - other performers include Geoff McQuerrey, Keegan James, Andrew Crawford, and Laura Leigh. After the Session, a song by SIRSY ("Mercury") to fill out the hour.

Tune in 📻 WEXT Radio at 97.7 and 106.1 FM, at 89.1's HD2 station, via 💻 online website stream, or by using the free app for iOS and Android 📱 devices.

03/20/2025

Tune in WEXT Radio today (03.20.25) during the 9am, 1pm and 6pm hours for an from the Archive

9am "Silent Super Man" - Phoebe Henry (2005) with
1pm "And When It's Over" - Bert Sommer (1968) with
6pm "Ballad Of Elijah" - Mother, Flag and Country [MFC] (2011) with

03/13/2025

Tonight at 9:00pm 🕚 on WEXT Radio, Andy Gregory's songwriters singing playlist...
Amanda Case - "Spectator"
Gorilla Gazebo - "Moon Crew"
Darryle Lanza - "Miles Away"
The Paper Prince - "Everything's Fine"
Sydney Worthley - "All American July"
Lennox - "When A Heart Breaks"

ATTIC CLASSIC: Dallas-born, Saratoga Springs-raised singer-songwriter MaryLeigh Roohan taught herself to play guitar and began writing songs at the age of 15. She played her first gig at a school talent show, but her public debut was on the legendary stage of Caffe Lena at an open mic at 17. Her unique sound as a writer and performer quickly captivated local audiences.

Her next step, while in college, was to hone her guitar and vocal skills across the Atlantic during a year-long, weekly residency at a pub in St. Andrews, Scotland.

In 2010, she formed MaryLeigh & the Fauves, the band name inspired by the Fauvism art movement, blending her love of music and art history. Roohan and her band released their debut album 'The Docks' in 2011. Even with half of the songs co-written with guitarist John Wager her unique sound, blending folk-rock with alternative-pop, caught the attention of music lovers.

The album sparked enough buzz to secure Roohan spots at major regional music festivals, where she enchanted audiences with her band’s full sound and her heartfelt lyrics. Metroland (the original one, not the current Metroland Now) named her the Capital Region’s best female singer-songwriter in 2012.

The Attic Classic is "Foolish Girl," the first track on 'The Docks.' By the way, the song ranked as the second most popular on WEXT's "Top 60 Local Songs of 2012" list.

At 9:30pm 🕧 listen to a with Kevin McKrell, followed with songs by Charlie Morris ("Singletown") and Alec Lewis ("Whatever You Want") to fill out the hour

Tune in 📻 WEXT Radio at 97.7 and 106.1 FM, at 89.1's HD2 station, via 💻 online website stream, or by using the free app for iOS and Android 📱 devices.

03/13/2025

Tune in WEXT Radio today (03.13.25) during the 9am, 1pm and 6pm hours for an from the Archive

9am "The Blue Angel" - Penny Knight Band (1981) with
1pm "Stony Ground Pt. II" - Pure Dirt (1995) with
6pm "You Will Never Live Love" - ARC (2001) with

03/06/2025

Tonight at 9:00pm 🕚 on WEXT Radio, rock along with Andy Gregory's playlist...
Trevor Collins - "You Don't Know Me Anymore"
The Rough Shapes - "Flashback Insomniac"
Brian Kaplan Band - "Electric"
Flavour - "Boogie Room Boogie"
Gay Tastee - "Dear Leader"
No Such Thing As Ghosts - "Unwanted Guest"

ATTIC CLASSIC: The 1980s were a golden age for rock music, a time when a person with a larger-than-life personality, charisma, and personal flair could be considered a "rock star." And having the musical chops to back up those traits doesn't hurt, either.

Arriving from New Jersey, the enigmatic DEVIN KIDD — whom some recall as Vinny Luciano — was one of the areas intriguing characters, leaving a strong impression on the Albany area music scene. Kidd was part of the first incarnation of the band Emerald City, showing early signs of his relentless passion for music. He also performed with rock band The Lazers during this period and was a memorable presence, belting out tunes with an energy that matched his larger-than-life personality.

Heading to New Jersey to produce his 1984 album titled 'Changeling,' he brought along a talented lineup of local musicians among others to record songs that were raw and unique rock n roll, with a gritty edge.

Kidd's creativity wasn't confined to just music. In a whirlwind return to the area, to add some flair to a local album debut show, he invited models from a local Barbizon modeling school to be part of the audience - a fitting touch for a rock star with a penchant for drama.

The Attic Classic is the first track from that 1984 album, "I'm Gonna Rock New York" which has all local musicians - Rick Rourke (sax), Jack Daley (bass), Gary Sagendorf (drums), Bobby Gangloff (keys), and Joe Wasial (guitars) - performing on it.

At 9:30pm 🕧 listen to a with A Band Called ERIE. The new record 'The Highs, The Lows, And Everything In Between' available via Mint 400 Records. There's performances from the band's WMHT Public Media's "AHA: A House for Arts" appearance, and an in-studio chat with Dave Michaels to fill out the hour

Tune in 📻 WEXT Radio at 97.7 and 106.1 FM, at 89.1's HD2 station, via 💻 online website stream, or by using the free app for iOS and Android 📱 devices.

03/06/2025

Tune in WEXT Radio today (03.06.25) during the 9am, 1pm and 6pm hours for an from the Archive

9am "Ring Out Wild Bells" - The Sundowners (1968) with
1pm "Where The Chrome Shines Bright" - Slick Fitty (2004) with
6pm "I'm Only One Man" - Micah (1971) with

03/03/2025

March 8th is - keep your ears to WEXT Radio for special programs. And, celebrate Women's History Month with twice daily podcast features highlighting women of the .
HerSong is hosted by Emily Curro of Hold on Honeys. Hear it at 11am and 7pm daily.

A podcast featuring women artists of the Local 518. A brief profile and a song.

02/27/2025

Tonight at 9:00pm 🕚 on WEXT Radio, Andy Gregory has an eclectic rocking playlist...
Ben Seretan - "New Air"
Hell In Marie - "Mind Like Paper"
Dust Bowl Faeries - "Pixie Moon"
Zorbas Trio - "Crown To Hope"
Yeah Universe - "Washed Out"

ATTIC CLASSIC: The core of rock band VESPER came about when Saratoga Springs natives Aaron Lewis and Katie Cooper first connected in 2005. Aaron had returned from the Northwest after the band he was in dissolved, and Katie too was band-less. They found that as they shared their songs and began jointly writing that an idea for a concept album was taking shape.

The pair then relocated to Brooklyn. With the addition of a drummer and a rotating cast of female cellists, Vesper burst onto the Northeast rock scene as a cello-infused rock band, blending intense rock with classical tones. It was a unique and epic sound captured on their debut album '...With Autumn I Fell...' released in 2007. Although not strictly a concept album, the record did have a thematic structure with 13 tracks symbolizing the 13 weeks of fall, the music combining dark, hard rock with dramatic, classical elements.

Vesper became known for their powerful live performances, which captivated audiences and critics alike. By 2009, there were changes. Vesper's line-up doubled down on the dynamic and expressive tones of the cello with a pair of cellists. Katie had departed by the time of the release of their self-titled second album later that year.

Though based in Brooklyn, with roots in Saratoga Springs the band would occasionally play the area. It was a triumphant homecoming of sorts when Aaron Lewis with Vesper entered and won the 2010 edition of the S**C Battle of the Bands that May, besting ten other bands who made it to the finals out of more than 100 bands who entered.

The Attic Classic is "Bleed" which comes from the 2009 self-titled CD.

At 9:30pm 🕧 listen to a with Carolyn Shapiro - there's some new things cookin' with this soulful old-time banjo player. Followed with a song by The Lustre Kings ("Chills and Fever") to fill out the hour

Tune in 📻 WEXT Radio at 97.7 and 106.1 FM, at 89.1's HD2 station, via 💻 online website stream, or by using the free app for iOS and Android 📱 devices.

02/27/2025

Tune in WEXT Radio today (02.27.25) during the 9am, 1pm and 6pm hours for an from the Archive

9am "Rockin Robin / Over and Over (live)" - Tino and The Revlons (1970) with
1pm "Hey! That's My Kiss" - Valerie DeLaCruz (2000) with
6pm "Backwoods Song" - Nick Brignola (1989) with

02/20/2025

Tonight at 9:00pm 🕚 on WEXT Radio, Andy Gregory fights the winter blues with this playlist...
Misty Blues - "Shake These Blues"
Lace - "Clear View"
Aila Chiar - "Baby Goat"
Bright Dog Red - "Bone to Pick"
Sean Lippin - "Fish Tank"
Lake Effect Band - "Trouble"

ATTIC CLASSIC: THE FOY BROTHERS band got its start when drummer Mark Foy was jamming with some other musicians and asked his brother Kevin, who liked to sing just around the home, to sit in on vocals. The lineup solidified with the Foys' niece Charee Hendricks added to provide vocals and keys, Bert Hendley and Joe Pennisi on guitars and Bud Maguire on bass.

From the start, the band attracted attention with Kevin's expressive and passionate vocals, alongside the sweet and sassy dynamics Charee's added. Playing a mix of their blues-tinged soul and R&B originals and a broad range of covers, the band evolved into one of the area's more distinctive blues, soul and R&B outfits.

This lineup was in place for the recording and release of their debut album titled 'whatever' in the year 2000. "Cold Blue Steel" is the Local 518 Attic Classic.

At 9:30pm 🕧 listen to a High Peaks Bluegrass Band , followed with songs by Michael Eck ("Burn the Big Top Down") + Jeanne O'Connor & the New Standard ("The Monkey Time") to fill out the hour

Tune in 📻 WEXT Radio at 97.7 and 106.1 FM, at 89.1's HD2 station, via 💻 online website stream, or by using the free app for iOS and Android 📱 devices.

02/20/2025

Tune in WEXT Radio today (02.20.25) during the 9am, 1pm and 6pm hours for an from the Archive

9am "Silver Bullets" - The Sense Offenders [ + + + + ] (2007) with
1pm "Love Comes to Town" - Lonesome Val [] (1994) with
6pm "Riverside Summertime" - Silver Chicken [] (1977/2013) with

02/16/2025

Congratulations to all the 2025 Eddies Awards nominees! 🎉 Hope to see you Sunday April 27th at Proctors to celebrate the

🚨It's that time of year! We're excited to reveal the nominations for the 7th annual Eddies Music Awards! Visit bit.ly/Eddies25Nominees for the full list. Congratulations to all!

Celebrate the incredible 518 music scene on Sunday, April 27 at Proctors! 🎟️ Tickets are on sale now > atproctors.org.

The 2025 Eddies Music Awards are made possible by the generous support of MLB Construction Services, LLC. and media partner WEXT Radio.

02/13/2025

Tonight at 9:00pm 🕚 on WEXT Radio, Andy Gregory's playlist shows some love to local rockers...
Blackcat Elliot - "Let’s Get Infected"
G.o.L.e.M - "Cool/Fight"
Rabid Children - "Does The Heart Beat?"
Barbie Barker - "Lazy"
Ride the Movies - "Darts"
Sons Of Eden - "Appetite"
Haunted Cat - "Together Together"

ATTIC CLASSIC: For local musician Gregory Nash, music was his passion, and drums was a way of life.

If drums were how Greg spoke, he did a lot of talking. Right out of high school he was dedicated to pursuing a music career playing drums. For over 20 years Greg was involved with countless local bands as well as some national acts.

A usual week for him was anything but slogging through a typical 9 to 5 job. Any day could find him rehearsing with one of his many bands, giving drum lessons, doing a studio session, playing a regular gig or being called in as a fill-in drummer. Or all of that in one day, plus preparing for tours; and for a time hosting weekly open mic's.

By 2012 Greg took some time out of his busy schedule to record his debut solo album 'Baby.' He had written some songs, and took on the added role as producer to enlist several local players to achieve his vision of the record as a way to show off his versatility.

After the album's release in 2013, and some gigs to promote it, Greg returned to his very busy schedule. Unfortunately, health issues caught up to him when in 2017 he suffered a massive stroke. It slowed him down musically, but his determination and love of drumming never waned. Recovery was long, but he was right back in the drummer’s chair playing gigs when Greg passed away unexpectedly at his home in June of 2024.

For the Attic Classic I suppose it could have been any of the many recordings Greg played on. More appropriate to feature a track from his 'Baby' solo album - "My Resurrection."

At 9:30pm 🕧 listen to a with Colin McCarthy music - "Different Cloth" comes out on Feb. 14th. Followed by a song from Party Boat [] ("Summer Girls") to fill out the hour

Tune in 📻 WEXT Radio at 97.7 and 106.1 FM, at 89.1's HD2 station, via 💻 online website stream, or by using the free app for iOS and Android 📱 devices.

02/13/2025

Tune in WEXT Radio today (02.13.25) during the 9am, 1pm and 6pm hours for an from the Archive

9am "Hollywood" - (2002) with
1pm "Frantic And Weightless" - Rosanne Raneri (1994) with
6pm "Here She Comes Again" - C. Jane Run (1997) with

02/07/2025

Start 2025 off with being a music hero for this years first 🙂
Make your picks of current or new favorite music!
The sites Discover tool (for example, Albany NY at https://bandcamp.com/discover/all/digital?loc=5106834&s=new for fresh, new releases) can get you what you need.
Oh, and tell us what you got!