Often I ask myself what can I do, would it really make a difference? Especially in times of such division, sending more kindness through the airwaves certainly can't hurt. It also fulfills a dream of mine to just play every instrument, write it all, record and do everything necessary in making an album all by myself. Like many I have retreated and isolated, but I decided to turn my isolation into something positive. I needed all this alone time to accomplish it, but I am honored to share it with you now. Send me an email and I will send you a link to download it free (or for any donation price) via .wav or .mp3 files just email shashkemusic@icloud.com. I also made a handful of CDs and they are for sale too on this website: https://www.laurielarson.net/shop
This week, the record saw adds at NACC from core KJHK in Lawrence, KS - my first ever airplay in Kansas - M3 Radio in Brooklyn, NY and WXAV in Chicago, IL. Beyond this, The LP debuted at WXAV's NACC top 30 chart, placing #29. Overall, great to see concentrated support at these stations already as it was just released on election day.
Songwriting, vocals, all instruments, producing, engineering, mixing, arranging, cover & booklet photography, art & design: Laurie Larson
When I first became a DJ in 1984, I had no idea that one day radio stations would play my own music, especially rock stations that I adored. Now in 2024 40 years later it's in full swing for my last two albums
Petals From July and Pegasus and Equuleus. Both albums are being played simulaneously by over 40 stations! Also I have never been #1 in anything, even as a cross country runner my team could rely on my for a solid second place almost every single time. I have so many red ribbons it's not funny. This week I achieved my first #1 in any area thanks to WHFR Henry Ford College's radio station in Dearborn Michigan outside of Detroit. Number 1 on their Folk Chart! Number 2 on their overall chart!
Here are the FM stations currently spinning my tunes this week:
Tucson | AZ | KXCI |
Redway | CA | KMUD |
Sacramento | CA | KSSU |
Santa Barbara | CA | KCSB |
Ouray | CO | KURA |
West Hartford | CT | WWUH |
New London | CT | WCNI |
Storrs | CT | WHUS |
Hanalei | HI | KKCR |
Chicago | IL | WXAV |
Joliet | IL | WCSF |
Farmington | ME | WUMF |
Winnipeg | MB | CJUM / UMFM |
Baltimore | MD | Radio Plastique |
Dearborn | MI | WHFR |
Auburn Hills | MI | WAHS [Digital Only] |
St. Louis | MO | KWUR |
Asheville | NC | WSFM Asheville FM |
Elon | NC | WSOE [Temporarily Digital] |
Portsmouth | NH | WSCA |
Galloway | NJ | WLFR |
Lawrenceville | NJ | WRRC / Digital Only |
Las Cruces | NM | KRUX |
Auburn | NY | WDWN |
Geneseo | NY | WGSU |
Saratoga Springs | NY | WSPN [Temporarily Digital] |
Brooklyn | NY | M3 Radio / Digital Only |
Dayton | OH | WWSU // Digital Only |
Guelph | ON | CFRU [Temporarily Digital Only] |
Eugene | OR | KWVA |
Indiana | PA | WIUP |
Allentown | PA | WMUH |
Philadelphia | PA | WKDU |
Chattanooga | TN | WAWL |
San Antonio | TX | KSYM |
Provo | UT | Radio 3hive |
Norfolk | VA | WODU Studios |
Madison | WI | WSUM / Free Flow |
Madison | WI | WORT |
Stevens Point | WI | WWSP |
Huntington | WV | WMUL [Temporarily Digital] |
Leland Sklar has agreed to play on your album, now what?!? I've been a bass player since 1978 in South Dakota, how could it be possible that the best bass player on the planet will play on my tunes some 35 years later? O.K. he's given me tracks already for some of my more "normal" tunes, not that they are really normal either... but I digress. He's like a mentor to me, he seems to have a great sense of humor so maybe he will go along with my super "out there song" where I'd love for him to do three bass lines and I could do two more. He would go first and I would try to learn from him on the spot. He will hold down the bottom like proper bass players do, and do super creative ones too... and I will play my melodic higher lines. So yes FIVE bass lines, even upping Spinal Tap's Big Bottom without getting trapped in an onstage inflatable. To throw yet another monkey wrench into the works I thought the song should come to a complete halt a few times as I throw in a cappella vocals. Thanks to Jim Roberts where I drove up to his studio in Colorado and presented the idea to him. Thank God he has an open mind! I recorded some of my vocals at Jim's place, Christopher Smith added cool lead and rhythm guitar at Jim's and Jim recorded a perfect keyboard part. Leland recorded his bass at his home studio, and I did my bass lines and additional vocals at my home studio. Tim Gehrt of Streets recorded his drum tracks at his home studio.
This week it has received airplay from WLFR 91.7 FM in Galloway, NJ and KSYM 90.1 FM in San Antonio, Texas. Hope you like it too:
QUEST FOR YOU:
Get onboard, cross the highest mountain
All above the rest, all the knowledge I'll gain
All in the quest for you, all in the quest for you
Adjust my compass, through the looking glass
There's a better life
Away from all this strife
All in the quest, the quest for you
Where is your mind on this issue
Are you willing to try something new
All in the quest for you, all in the quest for you
It seems like I've taken the hardest way
But my heart would never lead me astray
All in the quest, the quest for you
What do you really want
Who is it you're gonna haunt
All in the quest for you, all in the quest for you
The quest for you is me
Music: Laurie Larson
Lyrics: Laurie Larson
Vocals: Laurie Larson
Bass: Leland Sklar (three lines), Laurie Larson (two lines)
Guitars: Christopher Smith, Laurie Larson
Keys: Jim Roberts
Drums: Tim Gehrt