A radio program, at least the kind I'd like to host, needs to tell a story. Even when the show is made up of a set of self-contained stories -- the songs on a playlist, say -- I want there to be a story arc with a sort of narrative progression through the at least some portion of that playlist. But does a sequence of songs from blues artists with upcoming Bay Area shows create a compelling enough
story? How can that sequence be punctuated with other music that both flows and keeps listeners (pleasantly) surprised? Fortunately, it's often made easier with the help of talented musicians from near and far who join me on the program. They tell the story and make the connections in real time, either through their own music or through a guest-deejay set of inspired tracks. But in either case the goal remains: to craft a sequence of music that's greater than the sum of its parts, while making sure each of those parts is illuminating and inspired. In another setting, each show would be a mix-tape designed to woo. And I do hope that Fog City Blues woos -- and surprises -- someone new each week.
