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Tonight was our 8th Annual Nearfest radio special with our fearless co host Chad Hutchinson. Chaddington arrived at the compound somewhere around 6PM and we trucked over to the Lone Star for my ever famous Willie Burger. The village archaeologist had the Salmon of the day, and Chadley had the life size salad. After a stop back at the compound for a whiff of the Lilacs, we headed east down Kaighns Avenue to our stop along the road that leads to Hanover Furnace. The show started out with some Tech problems that our listeners were VERY quick to point out lol. I had to give a special thanks to Syrinx for pulling a little rabbit out of his butt. We featured all ten bands including the Progressive Legends Showcase II featuring The Tony Levin Band and Hatfield And The North. My synopsis for the weekend lineup is this:

• Tony Levin Band/Hatfield And The North - An instant hit. This might be the best twin bill I have ever seen.
• KBB - Excellent band and Akihisa Tsuboy kicks ass.
• Riverside - Need I say more? Second Life Syndrome was #1 for 9 weeks on the program.
• Richard Leo Johnson - The Legend Of Vernon McCallister is one of the most haunting of the new releases from Cuneiform records. I'd like to see how Richard brings this mysterious Guitar the album is based on and it's owner to life..
• FM - Kudos to Rob and Chad. Another excellent reunion the dynamic duo have made happen before our eyes.
• Ozric Tentacles - A band that has a long time history on our program. Ed is a longtime friend of the show and will be sure to make Saturday night. Sadly, we'll be missing this to broadcast live from the University Station Bar in Bethlehem.
• Guapo - This might be the band I want to see the most. 5 Suns and Black Oni have become 2 of my favorite discs in the last 2 years. Who needs coffee Sunday morning when you have them?
• Niacin - Billy Sheehan, John Novello, Dennis Chambers. 'Nuff said.
• Michael Manring - A genius. The finest Wine of Bass Players.
• Ange - This should be interesting.
• Keith Emerson - duh

Great show as always....and like always, Chad and I get punchy into the final hour. I think I walked away liking Ange the best in the sense of a band I have known, yet never explored. This show usually marks the buildup to Nearfest. Interviews, spotlights etc...and then ultimately Nearfest. Last year's live broadcast was a big step for the show. I am looking forward to heading down to Progday if this goes as well as last year's.
All Hail The Duck Billed Ducks.

This program ran 4 hours and 10 minutes.