Since I have been in the broadcasting business for a number of years, I sometimes have folks ask me, “Why do radio stations keep playing the same songs over and over?” There are a number of correct answers to this question, but the primary reason is (no surprise here) “money.” At some point, many years ago, when research began driving programming decisions, many program directors sought to play songs that would keep listeners from switching to another station.
Among PD’s (particularly those of the classic rock variety), the message was clear: don’t risk driving a single listener away by playing a song that might not be totally familiar. You’re not going to get a raise for playing more “deep cuts.”
Which brings us to a recent survey published on the Ultimate Classic Rock website listing the top classic rock songs based on radio airplay in 2025 (so far). There were a few surprises. Number one? Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” which just edged out Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” for the top spot on the list. However, GNR can take some solace in the fact that “Sweet Child O’ Mine” was ranked at number three.
Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith both had 15 songs in the top 500, but neither band cracked the top 10. Hell, “Black Dog” was Zep’s highest finisher at number 31. Interestingly, though, “Stairway to Heaven” came in at number 168, indicating that some songs can, in fact, be played to the point of listener fatigue.
In the “what the hell?” category: “Carry On Wayward Son” (number 12, thanks to the “South Park” Guitar Hero episode, no doubt, or was it because it was the unofficial anthem and fan favorite for the 15 seasons of Supernatural?), “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (number 13, but it does have a strong base of support among strippers, evidently), “Don’t Stop Believin’” (number 19 – I blame you, Tony Soprano) and “Summer of ‘69” (number 24, a stinker to be sure). In the interest of being remotely positive about Adams and his output, I suppose that “Cuts Like a Knife” isn’t so bad, but guess what? That song didn’t even make the damn list!
Ticket Alert Sue Foley, the lady with the pink paisley Telecaster, has been considered one of the best guitarists in Texas since landing in Austin during the late ‘80s. She has won a bunch of awards and released some acclaimed records, including last year’s One Guitar Woman, A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar, which was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Traditional Blues Album. Tickets are on sale now for her show at the Heights Theater on Friday, November 21.
I’m not a fan of most Christmas music, but I will keep an open mind regarding Tower of Power and the band’s “Holiday and Hits” tour, which will stop at the House of Blues on Tuesday, December 9. If I can hear a funked-up “Jingle Bells” and “What Is Hip?” during the same show, I just might be on board with that sleigh ride. Presales are up now, and the general sale begins on Friday.
Want more live Christmas music? Well, the Pentatonix show at Toyota Center on Saturday, December 20, might get you to ho-ho-ho-ing. The a cappella quintet will bring its “Christmas in the City” tour to H-Town during the week before holiday, and presales are now in progress, with the general sale on Friday. In the holiday spirit of giving (and because the group hails from Arlington), $1 from the price of each ticket sold will be contributed to Texas flood relief efforts. Randy Rogers began his musical career playing joints around central Texas, soon building a regional and then a national following while he and his band began racking up hit albums and singles. You can get the password for the presale (now in progress) through the band’s website and beat the rush before the Friday ticket sale for Rogers’ show at the 713 Music Hall on Saturday, December 13.
Herb Alpert. Is he still alive? Not an unreasonable question, but the answer is a definite “yes.” The 90-year-old trumpet player still has his chops, and he is going on the road early next year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his album Whipped Cream and Other Delights, which sported not only some incredibly catchy instrumentals but also a nude-but-not album cover. The presale for Alpert’s show on Saturday, January 17, at the Smart Financial Centre begins today, and the general sale is set for Friday.
Concerts This Week Editor’s Note: Flaming Lips’ Houston performance was canceled because of a family emergency.
Original story: A documentary tracking the history of the Flaming Lips called The Fearless Freaks was released some years back, and seldom has a title been more on-the-nose. Based on the early ’90 success of the single “She Don’t Use Jelly,” the band has been classified as “alternative rock,” but “alternative everything” might be a more accurate bit of nomenclature.
Musically, these guys are like no one else, incorporating a number of diverse influences along with a preponderance of psychedelia. In terms of stage craft, the Flaming Lips have utilized all sorts of fanciful gimmicks over the years, including encasing lead singer Wayne Coyne in a large plastic bubble which allowed him to walk over audience members’ outstretched hands. The band’s current tour reunites the Lips with former touring mates Modest Mouse. Catch all the trippiness tonight at the 713 Music Hall. Whipping a quick 180, let’s consider Dale Watson, who is about as hardcore country as a guy can get. After spending his early years in North Carolina, in 1977 Watson’s family moved to Pasadena, where he began playing in honky-tonks as a teenager. He soon relocated to Los Angeles, where he secured a spot in the house band at the Palomino Club, which became ground zero for alt-country. Since then, Watson has been a torchbearer for traditional country music, with songs like “Nashville Rash” and a multi-volume series of albums called The Truckin’ Sessions which contains nothing but truck-driving songs. You can hear the real deal on Saturday at the Heights Theater. The Offspring hit it big by figuring out a way to put a sheen on punk rock while not totally depriving the form of its energy and rebellion. “Come Out and Play,” “Self Esteem” and “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)” were all hits, showing a keen sense of satire while rocking hard enough to keep heads bobbing. Catch The Offspring on Saturday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on a bill with fellow poppy punkers Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory.
One couple shocked each other with a simultaneous proposal at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
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Couple proposes at the same time during Merriweather Post Pavilion show
It was last December that Rachel Hundertmark decided she wanted to ask her boyfriend Rashad Polk to spend the rest of his life as her husband.
“I want to be the one to propose and feel special, because he makes me feel like a princess all the time,” said Rachel.
It has been two and half years since Rachel asked Rashad to go see the band Modest Mouse for their first date.
In January, when she heard that Modest Mouse would be performing at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Rachel knew that was where she would ask Rashad to get married.
Fast forward to the night of the concert, and Rachel had stashed the engagement ring she had for Rashad with her 16-year-old daughter Jasmine Halstead.
What Rachel didn’t know was that Rashad was also planning to ask for her hand in marriage during the concert, but Jasmine was in on the surprise.
“She didn’t tell either one of us, she can really can keep a secret. She kept a straight face too, don’t play her in poker,” said Rachel.
Both Rachel and Rashad individually asked Jasmine to film the proposal.
Both Rachel and Rashad individually asked Jasmine, Rachel’s daughter, to film their planned proposals to one another at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
(Courtesy Rachel Hundertmark)
Courtesy Rachel Hundertmark
Rashad’s mouth fell open in shock when Rachel got down on one knee.
(Courtesy Rachel Hundertmark)
Courtesy Rachel Hundertmark
“I was shocked like the Ravens just won the Super Bowl after being down,” Rachel said.
(Courtesy Rachel Hundertmark)
Courtesy Rachel Hundertmark
The pair will get married next September.
(Courtesy Rachel Hundertmark)
Courtesy Rachel Hundertmark
Right after Rashad had returned from the bathroom to remove the engagement ring from where he hid in his sock, Rachel bent down to one knee.
Rashad was stunned. His mouth dropped open, he reached in his pocket to pull out her ring and dropped to one knee.
“I was shocked, ” “We laughed, hugged and cried.”
Rachel pointed out to WTOP that she did propose first.
“The band was playing in the background, so I whispered slash-yelled at him, ‘I wanna spend the rest of my life on the Merriweather lawn with you.’”
Rachel’s mom Laura Bewley was also at the concert, and said she knew Rashad was right for her daughter the first time she met him. “He is amazing. I have four kids, grandkids, grand dogs, they all love him,” she said.
The pair will tie the knot Sept. 28, 2025.
“He was my concert husband and now he will be my real husband,” said Rachel.
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NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremiah Green, the founding drummer for the rock band Modest Mouse, has died just days after the band announced he had been diagnosed with cancer. He was 45.
“Today we lost our dear friend Jeremiah. He laid down to rest and simply faded out,” according to a statement posted Saturday on the band’s social media accounts. “Please appreciate all the love you give, get, have given, and will get. Above all, Jeremiah was about love.”
Green was barely in his teens when he joined the newly formed Modest Mouse, which featured singer-guitarist Isaac Brock and bassist Eric Judy among others. Modest Mouse was originally based in the Seattle suburb Issaquah and later relocated to Portland. Its name originates from a passage by Virginia Woolf, who once described everyday individuals as “modest mouse-coloured people.”
Influenced by Talking Heads and XTC among others, Modest Mouse debuted in 1996 with the album “This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About” and built a substantial critical following before having mainstream success with their fourth release, “Good News for People Who Love Bad News,” and the singles “Float On” and “Ocean Breathes Salty.”
Green had a breakdown around the time of “Good News for People Who Love Bad News,” released in 2004, and briefly left the band. He was back for more recent albums, including “Strangers to Ourselves” and “The Golden Casket,” which came out in 2021.
