(RSS)
Hit by a Sedge Hammer
Sedge Thomson
Sedge Thomson was on the phone with me and I was sweating through my shirt. It was back in 2004 and I’d called Thomson to ask some questions about his popular public radio program, “West Coast Live.” (The show helped kick off the Cascade Theatre’s grand opening that year.)
But Thomson, being the extremely well-read, inquisitive fellow that he is, had turned the interview around on me. He was asking all manner of questions about Redding’s history, economic structure, social culture, ethnic complexities, you name it. I was struggling through answers and realizing just how little I know about the place I call home.
Thomson and his crew are bringing the nationally broadcast radio show back to the Cascade for a 4 p.m. taping on Sunday. Tickets are $25 (click here or call 243-8877).
Thomson’s thoughtful observations and his genuine interest in people make it a joy to listen to “West Coast Live.” The show airs at 3 p.m. on Saturdays on Jefferson Public Radio’s Rhythm & News Service (89.7 FM). Thomson’s interviews are consistently entertaining because he’s truly fascinated with a variety of topics subjects and he tends to gather good background. I was a background provider that year and it was a tough job. (I’m sure he called around and got better information from others.)
Former Shasta College instructor and award-winning author Tony D’Sousa will be on Sunday’s program (A News Cafe’s very own Steve Brewer was an excellent guest last time the show came to town). Other guests will include Grammy-nominated New Age musician Gentle Thunder from Mount Shasta, and the Enterprise High School marching band. Some of these guest names ran together on the “West Coast Live” website, but the program will also feature Robert Girardi, Poets for Peace, and One Horse Shy.
The Biospherical Digital-Optical Aquaphone is a trademark portion of the show. It’s worth it just to watch audience members “get in the water,” as it goes, on Sedge’s version of radio.
The last time the show was here, it was an excellent way to help the Cascade launch and a completely entertaining show. I imagine it will be again.
318 views
We went to this and it was great fun. Though the mix for the music wasn’t as clear as it could have been, listening to the authors speak more than made up for it. Both men were so interesting - Thomson is a perceptive and skilled interviewer who kept the conversation flowing. And Mike Gilliland (hope I got that name right) was a pleasure to listen to between segments.
Reply
Went to Sunday’s “live to tape” broadcast of West Coast Live and it was just as fun as the first time. Nice variety of guests and it’s cool to hear all the local references (Thunderbird Lodge, the Squire, Dunsmuir, Mount Shasta, etc.) and knowing they’re going out to a fairly sizable audience.
As per Jeff Darling, the Cascade manager, the broadcast is scheduled for Dec. 26, the Saturday after Christmas. Tune in at 3 p.m. on Jefferson Public Radio’s Rhythm & News Service, 89.7 FM in the Redding area. (It’s also streamed at 3 pm at http://www.ijpr.org).
I, too, had the pleasure of interviewing Sedge Thomson for a story in this month’s After Five (www.after5online.com). It’s definitely a challenge interviewing an interviewer, but we had a great convservation. And he really does do a great job as a variety show host, thoroughly engaging each guest. I really enjoyed listening to Tony D’Souza, a very talented young guy who has authored two books and is working on a third.
He had the audience laughing as he recalled living in Dunsmuir, commuting to Shasta College to teach English and creative writing and having to occasionally stay overnight at the Thunderbird when snow closed down I-5. Turns out he hid a manuscript under a Gideon’s bible in his motel room, retired to the Squire Room for drinks with some friends and then left the manuscript behind (particularly vexing since he was still hurting from losing 3 years’ worth of writing when a civil war chased him out of his Peace Corps post in Africa). Fortunately, a friend was able to retrieve the manuscript and his second novel, “The Konkans,” was saved.
Don’t people read the Gideon’s bible, Sedge asked. “Not at the Thunderbird,” Tony replied.
Musical highlights included an impromptu collaboration between the house pianist Mike Greensill and Mount Shasta’s Gentle Thunder, and a couple of tunes by One Horse Shy, a kick-ass Americana/roots band out of Ashland.
All in all a great afternoon. Be sure to check it out after you’ve opened all your Chrsitmas presents.
Reply
Jim Dyar Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Jon,
Thanks for the great review on the show and information on when it will air! I almost felt like I was there.
Reply