Late night open thread

Looks like Wakeley and Meersman are making their move to the front right now. Track the canoe marathon live at this link.

Time for Oscoda, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PATTI SMITH!

Dedicating this classic, 'Because the Night' to all the Grayling to Oscoda canoe marathoners who hit the water about 15 minutes ago. See you in the morning.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE JEFFERSON AIRPLANE!

Johnny has a real treat here kids, an amazing article on Grace Slick and her history with the band and the whole scene back then. Did you know then, at the disastrous Altamont concert made famous by the Hells Angels killing a man during the Rolling Stones' set, the Angels started their attacks on the Jefferson Airplane's Marty Balin. Read on friends.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CURE!

If you were alive in the 1980's and had any kind of music sense you owned the album this song, 'Just Like Heaven' came off of, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. What a brilliant piece of work. Happy to share a cut from it tonight.

Late night open thread

Executive decision time, Johnny is getting home late and will run the Music Series tomorrow, Saturday.

Time for Oscoda, After Dark

Here comes the last full weekend of July, Grayling to Oscoda awaits!

That's right fans of outdoors, outdoor sports, beautiful vistas, water, and of course the famed Shrieking Eels at SpacePunk corner, it's the Grayling to Oscoda canoe marathon!

14 hours of Hup All Night on the AuSable River starting 9pm Saturday evening in Grayling and finishing Sunday morning here in Paddletown USA.

Some scenes from last year's race won by Jorden Wakeley and Matt Meersman in a Secretariat-style run in under 14 hours. Johnny of course won this race in 2020 by himself as everyone else stayed home because of Covid. 

Oscoda is ready, Paddletown USA is always ready for a moment like this. It's the 74th time this race has been run. It gets bigger every year (except the year Johnny won) and the residents and commitment from the town is tip top. 

By the time the racers get to the aptly named Space Punk Corner, and as they desperately try to avoid the shrieking eels found there, everyone should have a pretty good idea who is going to be in a great position to make a push to win the race.

So who will cross Harry's Landing Finish Line first? You can take a look at all the racers here and make your picks. Want to track the race LIVE? Follow this handy link to do just that.

Late night open thread

Get ready Oscoda, we've got some canoe racing to discuss coming up!

Time for Oscoda, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MUDDY WATERS!

Movie Night tonight was the 1983 classic Risky Business. If you've seen the movie you know the important role this song, 'Mannish Boy' plays in the film. One classic to another here...

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS!

Some songs need no introduction. 'Breakdown' up next.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with CRACKER!

A terribly underrated band Johnny thinks. Only one way to make up for that, play them on the Music Series! 'Get Off This' taking us out tonight.

Late night open thread

Time for Oscoda, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE HOLLIES!

It is Johnny's considered opinion that the first 30 seconds of this song make it one of the ten best beginnings to any song. Yes, Johnny thinks the guitar work on 'Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)' is that good. 

Feel free to share your top intros to songs in comments!

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THROWING MUSES!

Kristin Hersh out front on 'Bright Yellow Gun' from the 1994 University album. This album was made not too long after another Johnny favorite and Hersh's step-sister, Tanya Donnelly, left to form Belly. 

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SHERYL CROW!

Did you know then, 'If it Makes You Happy' was originally written as a country music song? That's a fact. While not the supreme extra country version of Sheryl's Storytellers performance, which is in bad shape on YouTube, here's a rocking live version to prove Johnny's point. 

Late night open thread

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. Insert your own joke here.

Time for Oscoda, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with NO DOUBT!

Let's kick off a high energy Music Series tonight with the frenetic energy of No Doubt and their classic 'Just a Girl'

Getting a late start so let's get to it!

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE RAMONES!

Trust Johnny, you didn't want to be a brat around The Ramones. Not unless you wanted a Louisville Slugger upside the melon. 'Beat on the Brat' up next.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BANANARAMA!

OK, let's make it official, Bananarama featuring Fun Boy Three. Time for some of those sweet harmonies of summer tonight. 'Really Saying Something' taking us out tonight.

Late night open thread

Time for Oscoda, After Dark

You better believe if it's the 4th of July it's time for the legend that is Jimmy's Truck!

Now, onto Johnny's favorite fireworks fail video evah, Mobile Command Fireworks Launch!

Happy Independence Day!

Johnny wants to wish all his roaring cats and kittens a fun and safe 4th of July today! See you all at the parade!

Late night open thread

Time for Oscoda, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BLONDIE!

In honor of Debbie Harry's birthday today, she's a fabulous 77, how about a Blondie track Johnny has always just loved her voice on, 'Slow Motion'

Sure Johnny will use about any excuse to post a Blondie song on the old Music Series but tonight he actually has a reason. Johnny remains one of her biggest fans and she'd probably make her way onto Johnny's Rock and Roll Mount Rushmore.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DIANA ROSS!

If it's not something with The Supremes Johnny focuses in on his favorite Miss Ross song, 'Love Hangover' but that classic longer version with her close friend Michael Jackson riding shotgun. Motown and the 4th of July are a powerful combination. 

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with TEARS FOR FEARS!

Was there anyone walking on two legs in the 80's that didn't own this album, Songs From the Big Chair? Of course not, everyone had it. 'Head Over Heels' is such a classic. Sing along won't you?

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BILLY IDOL!

Not a little something something to send you out the door on this 4th of July weekend. No no. A very BIG something something as this friends is the legendary Mother of Mercy Mix of 'To Be A Lover' which is just magnificent. The only version of this song Johnny has in his iTunes.

Don't take Johnny's word for it. Enjoy!