Dancin’ in the Fast Lane with Ann Arbor on KFJC

On the Wednesday morning of the last week in April in 1993 I did the very first show of what would become DANCIN’ IN THE FAST LANE. At the time I started the show I called it LIFE IN THE FAST LANE, which I later decided wasn’t edgy enough. Sometime during the first few months of the show I changed the name, and it’s been DANCIN’ IN THE FAST LANE ever since.

The show begins with a 20 minute belly dance set so that my listeners can “belly dance out of bed and into the fast lane”. I’ve always wanted to belly dance and that’s why I decided to start my show each week with belly dance music. Over the years I’ve thought about a different kind of start to the show, but my listeners like the belly dance music, or that’s what they tell me.

Other dance music appears throughout the show along with other kinds of music from all over the world. I describe the show as “ETHNIC VIBES, BUMPIN’ BEATS AND FANCY FOOTWORK”. My show gives you full permission to “dance like there’s no one watching” because honestly, no one is….

During the first broadcast of my show there was some asbestos removal going on at KFJC. The only way to access the master studio, the board and all the on air resources was to crawl through a hole created for access by the on air staff under the broadcast board. It was most peculiar. It reminded me of the story about Winne the Pooh when he gets stuck trying to crawl into somebody’s house for a visit. So that was my very first Unbedtime Story, the one in which Winnie the Pooh gets stuck in a hole.

Since that time Unbedtime Stories, which airs at 7:20 each Wednesday morning, has evolved to be about up and coming works by up and coming authors. Usually I read the story but some authors have been kind enough to join me and read their own work. For the past four years I’ve been supporting NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month) by inviting NANOWRIMO participants who’ve written 50,000 words or more during the month of November (which is National Novel Writing Month) the opportunity to read their work on Unbedtime Stories. Last December (2007) I interviewed Chris Baty, the guy who started NANOWRIMO – a great idea which originated in the SF Bay Area, and has become a worldwide phenomenon thanks to the web.

Another noteworthy feature on DANCIN’ IN THE FAST LANE starts at 9:00 a.m. Called TASTY MASALA: Music of the Desi Diaspora – this segment features the music of the Indian subcontinent and all the places it collides with the music of the rest of the world, with amazing sonic results. You can hear music of the Asian Underground, Bollywood, classical ragas, jazz, bhangra, qawwali and all manner of Indian audio candy. This feature started some years after the birth of the show, and has become a fixture.

I’m curious about everyone I meet, and I love to interview people. Over the years I’ve gotten to interview quite a number of authors including Elmore Leonard, Po Bronson, Scott Adams, Larry Ferlinghetti, and Janet Evanovich, along with plenty of up and coming ones. I’ve interviewed Ravi and Anoushka Shankar, as well as other musicians and radio personalities whose work I’ve showcased during my various Month of Mayhem specials.

I especially love the Month of Mayhem on KFJC. May is the “Month of Mayhem” during which all KFJC staff members are invited to produce specials about what interests them. Each year I’ve tried to do at least one special, but this year I’m taking a break. My listeners have often collaborated with me. Some notable collaborations: Jeff Spirer (several years worth of Bill Laswell specials), John Minnich (Holy Modal Rounders), Rocky Rococo (Paris, Vienna, TruThoughts), Skokiaan Guy (Memories of El Monte Road, KSAN and innumerable versions of Skokiaan), Mark RIckert (Eric McFadden), Nora Maki (Belly Dance and Tribute to Hades Ham Journal), and Alison Chaiken (What the Doormouse Said). I’m sure I’ve forgotten some, please remind me.

One year during the Month of Mayhem, Mal Sharpe of the duo Coyle and Sharpe, joined me for a four hour tribute to their work. Over the years Mal has returned a number of times to talk about his latest projects and adventures. Mal hosts a jazz show on KCSM on Sunday nights and plays in a Bay Area jazz band called “Big Money in Jazz”.

I’ve gotten to meet quite a number of my listeners over the years at KFJC events and when they’ve generously supported KFJC and asked for an HOUR ON THE AIR with me. I continue to be amazed by the very interesting people who listen to DANCIN’ IN THE FAST LANE. Fifteen years later I still love doing my show. Thanks to all of you on the audience side of the radio for adding to the fun of it all.

Ann Arbor (out)…