Resilience.
Fortitude.
Determination.
Perseverance.
Four words, similar enough that they can be interchangeable in certain circumstances. But, each with its own specific properties that delineate it from the others. And, at some point over the past twelve months or so, we’ve needed to lean into those words as a collective, and individually, in order to thrive. Survive. I could be talking about any number of governmental issues – most of which have had disastrous results – over the past eighteen months. But, here, right now, I’m talking about last year’s rescinding of funds from Public Media by the spineless, sycophantic Republican twits in the Congress of the United States. At this point last year, we all knew the defunding was imminent. They were licking their chops like any of the big, bad wolves in folklore – such is their hate for the truth. We , in Public Media, were just waiting for both shoes to drop – to learn how much money was specifically being stripped away from the individual entities of Public Media.
Last year, I chronicled the ridiculousness of their fight against Public Media – the idea that NPR and PBS are some kind of agents of the Democrats and left. And, I’ll simply say again, that truth and honesty in reporting – in any kind of journalistic pursuit with integrity – should have absolutely zero political or partisan bents or affiliations. And, if reporting the truth is awful for certain factions – namely the fascist administration and its sycophants – then let the truth ring louder.
Resilience.
Fortitude.
Determination.
Perseverance.
Rescinding the monies, defunding, and however else you’d like to look at it, didn’t work. They didn’t strangle Public Media – squeezing as hard as they could until the life bled out. They made it stronger by galvanizing the strength and focus of we the people. Because, that’s what we the people – the ones that believe in truth, justice, honesty, and the inherent goodness of all humans – do in this country, we fight back with all the aforementioned qualities. Public Media is now truly public – funded by we the people, for the people.
I feel the need to restate all this as WICN 90.5FM in Worcester, Massachusetts, where I have the honor and privilege of spinning records every Saturday afternoon, is closing out the fiscal year with our Summer in the City Fund Drive. Public Media all over the country is doing the same. I urge you to support your local and/or favorite Public Media source. The music I love, the music I write about, and the music I produce thrives, survives, and yes, grows because of Public Media. How many times have I written about hearing a song on the radio as a kid that led to the discovery of more music, which led to more discoveries, which led to my entire life? If for no other reason, Public Media is important for it continues that educational chain of events, that life-cycle, that window into a bigger world. I thank you in advance for supporting my show or another show on WICN or your favorite Public Media of choice. We all thank and deeply appreciate you and your contribution.
Resilience.
Fortitude.
Determination.
Perseverance.
Many thanks to David McGee for this great review of Street Opera. Find it here.
Available July 10, 2026 on Cupcakes & Muffins. Preorder/Pre-save here.
My playlist for Saturday, June 20, 2026 on WICN 90.5fm in Worcester, Massachusetts, and globally at wicn.org:
Frank Stokes “Downtown Blues”
Billy Lee Riley “Red Hot”
Robert Johnson “They’re Red Hot”
Mississippi Fred McDowell Red Cross Store”
Howlin’ Wolf “The Red Rooster”
Big Joe Turner “Cherry Red”
Lesley Riddle “Red River Blues”
Charles Brown “Black Night”
James Booker “Black Night”
Lowell Fulsom “Black Nights”
B.B. King “Blue Shadows”
Blind Willie McTell “Blues Around Midnight”
BeauSoleil “Hot Chili Mama”
Mississippi John Hurt “Hot Time in Old Town Tonight”
Ella Fitzgerald “Too Darn Hit”
Lyle Lovett “She’s Hot to Go”
Jack Teagarden “Sweet and Hot”
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