Paco - Pittsburgh Acoustic Internet Radio

Mark Stroup and I run an Internet Radio Station named Paco , showcasing Pgh acoustic musicians. Our aim is to promote live music in and near Pgh, by showing listeners what is available.

Mark is a terrific songwriter, and we both have been long term regular performers at the Calliope open stage at the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern (4412 Liberty Ave). I served as James_Hovan's CoHost for about 1 1/2 years, and I still fill-in now and then.

Pgh musicians like us owe a debt to James and the BBT, who together have provided us with the best possible environment to grow into real performers. It was at those Tuesday night songfests that I metamorphosed from anxious and shaky to confident, and perhaps a little too loud. Right alongside dozens of others.

The acoustic music scene in Pgh is a smorgasbord of talent. When an event arrives, performers come out of the woodwork, folk like Cherylann Hawk, Robert Wagner, James Hovan, Rank Strangers, Ben Hartlage, Mark Dignam, Laurie Shea, on and on... You can drown in it, wearing a huge grin.

Lately, I found that there is a Internet Radio station named Pgh Net Radio . I tried listening to it, and yes it has Pgh local artists, but too electric for my tastes. So while I was complaining to myself that someone should have made a Pgh ACOUSTIC internet radio station, it occurred to me that it is better to light a candle ...

But I knew I wouldn't be able to do it alone. So I called Mark, who immediately jumped in to help. Our goal is to showcase acts that can be seen live in Pgh, to make their music familiar to local listeners, and to encourage Pittsburghers to attend live events. Our plan is to play cuts from acoustic artists, even if the particular cut is somewhat electric.

I am the nuts-and-bolts guy, getting the music on the air. Mark is the elegant writer, and the voice of Paco on the air. Mark and I are also involved in the annual Friendship Folk and Flower Fest.

Why acoustic? Well, I find that playing an electric guitar filters out the cool percussive things my fingers know how to do. I'd rather listen to the performer, not his gear. And there ain't much sweeter than a fiddle in the right hands (John McFarlane, Bob Bannerjee ...). Basically, more music, less attitude.

Paco (the radio station) went online Jan 1 2004, but it is still in its tottering infancy. It has only a few local artists, more on the way soon. Every acoustic artist we talked to expressed an interest in getting their recordings on the air. We will get them there as quickly as my life schedule allows.

Anyone the world over with a fast Internet connection can listen 24 hours at

http://www.live365.com/stations/daveg12

If you haven't heard Brad Yoder or Coal Train, you need to go there now.

I have not tried it on a dial up line. It is broadcast at 32 kilobits/sec , so theoretically it might be possible, but perhaps not practical.

You may have to download and install the Live365 player to listen. The player window shows the track and artist name. You have the choice to listen for free (with advertisements), or to pay for commercial-free listening.

Performers there include

Also, if you are a Paco listener, drop me an email. We are open to suggestions and encouragement. Eventually, we will put together a newsletter. Other Pgh music sites include

http://www.pghcitypaper.com/

Home