The Summit FM, a non-profit public radio station committed to strengthening community engagement through the power of music, proudly announces its recent contribution of 15 musical instruments to The Federal Valley Resource Center. The donation is part of The Summit FM's ongoing efforts to support organizations that promote music and art accessibility, food security, health, resource accessibility, regional history preservation, and opportunities for seniors.
The Federal Valley Resource Center, a distinguished 501(c)(3) non-profit serving Stewart, Ohio, and surrounding areas, has long been a cornerstone in addressing vital community needs. This generous gift from The Summit FM is set to enhance the center's initiatives and broaden its impact.
The musical instruments, ranging from electric guitars to violas, were generously donated by The Summit FM's loyal listeners through the Marilyn Stroud Music Alive Instrument donation program. Over the past decade, this program has seen the generous contribution of musical instruments from devoted supporters, with a remarkable 500 instruments donated to public school students and communities across Ohio.
"We are thrilled to partner with The Federal Valley Resource Center to enrich the lives of individuals in Stewart and its neighboring areas further," said Tommy Bruno, general manager for The Summit FM. "Through the Marilyn Stroud Music Alive Instrument donation program, our listeners have played a pivotal role in spreading the joy of music and supporting local initiatives."
The Federal Valley Resource Center expressed gratitude for The Summit FM's contribution, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on the community. "This donation aligns seamlessly with our mission to create a more vibrant and interconnected community. We appreciate The Summit FM's dedication to making a difference in the lives of those we serve," said Therese Lackey, FVRC Program Director & Board President at The Federal Valley Resource Center.
Summit FM remains committed to supporting organizations that share its vision of fostering community development and enhancing the quality of life through music and the arts. This collaboration with The Federal Valley Resource Center is a testament to the station's ongoing commitment to positively impacting the communities it serves.
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
When Van Halen first exploded, back in 1978, with their self-titled debut LP, they took the rock world hostage, in a manner of speaking. Though it was incorrect, heavy metal had long been associated with doom and gloom, downers and volume, lengthy guitar solos, drum solos, witches, dragons, you name it. It was, for many, a fantasy world and the bands played it to the hilt. There were exceptions, bands like UFO, AC/DC, and Thin Lizzy, though arguably none of them were actually 'heavy metal,' metal fans liked those bands despite not having any of the readily adopted, aforementioned cliches.
Enter Van Halen who presented a different twist on what 'heavy' meant. Yes, the guitars were loud and slashing, but never sludge laden doom, and the lyrics were about more teenage concerns like, girls, partying, and hanging out. In addition, there were harmonies, and there was energy. When Van Halen opened for a lethargic Black Sabbath, in 1978, the line was drawn, as many a concert goer noted how Sabbath seemed like yesterday’s news, while Van Halen sounded exciting and fresh. The formula of Eddie Van Halen's guitar style, David Lee Roth's ringleader persona, and Ted Templeman's crisp, sharp production, all added up to a hard rocking band with a crossed audience appeal, as fans and radio fully embraced the four man band from Los Angeles.
Fast forward through 'II,' ' Women And Children First,' and 'Fair Warning,' all classic VH albums, formula intact with slight variations here and there, but by the release of 'Diver Down,' in 1982, it seemed the band were running out of steam. Five of the album's 12 tracks were cover songs, there were three instrumentals, and a general lack of gusto. Some new twist was needed to inject life back into the band. For a band so tied to guitar hero stature, it seemed odd that this new twist would be significant use of keyboards, but when 'Jump' was released as a single, at the tail end of 1983, it caught everyone off-guard.
Driven by a dynamic keyboard riff, the guitars took a backseat as the song propelled forward. Though die-hard rockers may have initially been confused, fans, critics, and radio all nodded and smiled, driving the song to the top slot on the Billboard charts. Say what you will about it, but it was nothing if not incredibly catchy, and made for a bright spot on the radio playlists of the world. There was still one hot shot guitar solo to be included, but the synth, played by Eddie, was the star of the song.
For those who feared Van Halen had traded in guitars for keyboards in an attempt to modernize things, they only needed the next song on the album to prove otherwise as 'Panama' would prove, these guys were still masters of the shiny guitar riff. Fun poured out of the speakers, as the volume knob was nudged upward. 'Elsewhere, 'Hot For Teacher,' and 'I'll Wait,' would also become radio hits and classic rock staples. Essential? You bet it is! The album hit No. 2 on the charts and would go on to sell a massive 10 million copies, ultimately the success of '1984' would also cause an irreparable rift in the band, as David Lee Roth's persona and ego kept getting larger ultimately leading him to leave the band for a solo career. "Money can't buy you happiness,' Roth noted in an interview from the period, "but it can buy you a boat big enough to sail right up next to it!"
Wellness can be achieved by virtue of completing a journey and maintain a lifestyle. But it can also be magnified by our ability to appreciate and be thankful for the things that we already have! Summit Wellness continues to hum the melody of connection between feeling good and feeling grateful!
Gratitude is a monthly feature contributed by Matt Anthony, Digital Media Producer and on-air host for the Summit FM. Matt reflects on instances where we might uncover more ways to appreciate what’s in front of us, and how those instances might contribute to our overall health and well-being.
Ain't no use in gettin' uptight, just let it groove its own way
Let it drain your worries away
- “Rainy Day, Dream Away” – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
In the closets at home, we have long since run out of hooks. The sheer number of hoodies we own almost equals that of the compact discs on the shelves. We wear them in the morning, in the evening, while watching television, in the car, and, most importantly, tucked away perfectly underneath an even heavier coat.
Winter gets no love from me. I do not ski, and I don’t play ice hockey. As a kid, I never really owned a sled. And while augmented weather patterns have changed the dynamics of ‘winter’ over the years, here in northeast Ohio we are still confronted by the inescapable maxim: the sun on hiatus brings cold, dreary conditions to the months after Christmas.
These are the challenging times. Christmas lights are packed away again, in the basement or in closets. (next to the hoodies!) New Year’s resolutions are already being second-guessed. And as the bare tree-branches sway in the frigid wind, the thought of ‘buds’ emerging seems less realistic than a Hall and Oates reunion.
Hey sunshine what's she doing
Sunshine all around
But I'm standing here hazy-eyed
Why won't you tell me now
What is she trying to
What is she trying to
What is she trying to hide?
- “Gray Sunny Day” – The Cowsills
My mother was emphatic whenever I looked ahead to something that wasn’t in the present: “Don’t wish your life away.” Somewhere amongst the colorless, overcast wind-torn bone-jarring cold of January and February, buried deep in the permafrost of an Ohio winter, lie opportunities to prove her right, topped with a sprinkle of gratitude.
As I churn out these words, the wind has kicked up outside. The temperature is dropping, and the forecast is for the numbers to plummet even lower. But as I wrap my Browns hoodie around me (mentally preparing for…a ‘playoff game’?), I’m instantly reminded that we have something that others may not have tonight: heat. Yes, my penchant for keeping the monthly bill low sometimes forces me to vacate the basement lair in favor of the upper level. But draping oneself in a hoodie or two is preferable to seeking shelter in a doorway for the night. I’m reminded to be thankful.
Every silver lining's got a
Touch of grey
I will get by
I will get by
- “Touch Of Grey” – Grateful Dead
‘Hibernation’ is a state of mind. It doesn’t have to be reclusive, sullen, or unproductive. At least that’s what I tell myself. I take another healthy gulp of my coffee, an ‘India Cherry Robusto’ bean that I roasted in my chilly garage 3 days prior, grateful for my small ceramic heater and Donna’s 20-year-old Cleveland Indians parka.
It’s quiet. And it’s quiet outside. The newer refrigerator that replaced the ancient one hums methodically, like an old Charlie Watts groove. I’m thankful that it’s kept my cream cold, too, and the texture (much to the chagrin of the coffee purists) gives added girth to my roast.
A lone vehicle saunters slowly up the hill next to the house, its tires slicing through the two inches of snow on the ground. And as the sound dissipates into the distance, the silence is almost deafening. But it’s a welcome deafening. It’s the sort of ambiance that gets crushed by the sunny sounds of a leaf-blower or a hedge-trimmer.
The Holidays have evaporated. The dark still arrives earlier than it’s appreciated. And an arctic air mass can show no mercy. We’re seemingly on the dark side of the moon. But my mother’s edict reverberates like a Steve Jones power-chord. ‘Sunny-and-75’, while preferred, is easy. It’s a big beach-ball ready to be pounded on with little to no effort. Gratitude and thankfulness right now can seem like that spare part they don’t make anymore. It begs to be searched for and uncovered, perhaps from its own mysterious form of hibernation. I silently hope that it's worth it, and I think it is.
Wait….is…is that a train I hear?
It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
Beautiful day
- “Beautiful Day” – U2
Sarah Swirsky is a Licensed Social Worker with diverse experiences in the mental health field, including counseling and advocacy. She believes that open and informed discussions about mental health are crucial in fostering understanding, reducing stigma, and promoting overall wellness. Born and raised in Akron, Sarah holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Akron and a Bachelors' of Science in Community Health Education, from Kent State.
Arts and Music have always been an important part of Sarah's life, as she attended both Miller South and Firestone High School for Performing Arts. Sarah credits her father, beloved former Akron Councilmen Richard Swirsky, for introducing music to her at an early age, taking her to her first concert, Bob Dylan.
Sarah has also had specialized clinical training and experience working with traumatic stress, eating disorders, and substance abuse. She enjoys using creative methods in her work including expressive arts and is a certified trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator.
Sarah is excited to start mental wellness discussions and bring awareness to the healing power of music. Sarah and the team at Summit Wellness need your feedback to make this program a success!What wellness programming would you like to see at The Summit? How has music impacted your mental health? What local artist(s) would you like to see highlighted or interviewed? Send an email to Sarah@thesummit.fm.
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
By the end of 1983, The Police were, quite simply, the biggest band in the world. Their fifth album, 'Synchronicity,' was a huge hit, spawning a handful of massive hit singles, and ultimately selling multi-platinum. After being active non-stop since forming in 1977, they decided that, following a world tour, they would take a break. It was in that time frame that Sting decided to record his first solo album.
Released in June of 1985, 'The Dream Of The Blue Turtles' presented Sting in a new and different light. Gone were any signature styles of The Police and, for the most part, stripped of any actual rock and roll, replaced by a jazz based aesthetic and approach that suited his voice quite well. "In reality, the first rock band I ever played in was The Police," Sting told a reporter at a press conference for the album. "Before that, I'd worked extensively in different kinds of jazz groups. My first band was a Dixieland trad group where I played double bass, so I feel in many ways at home with jazz players."
Wanting to stretch his musical muscle, Sting gathered an all-star group of players to back him on the album including saxophonist Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland on piano, and drummer Omar Hakim. The collective resume reads like a who's who of jazz stars including Miles Davis, Weather Report, Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, and more. Bassist Daryl Jones would, of course, go on to play with the Rolling Stones to this day. “This band has a musical impact that I haven’t seen in pop music in a long long time,” said Branford Marsalis about his then new gig. “Everybody can just play their instruments and cream all the other bands!”
“Yes the record company were perturbed, yes my management were perturbed, the general public were probably perturbed when they heard this word jazz mentioned,” said Sting in an interview surrounding the album. All parties needn’t have worried, as once released, it took on a life of its own.
The album's first single, the catchy jazz inflected pop of 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,' shot up the charts right off, reaching No. 3 on Billboard, and making Top10 elsewhere around the world. Sting was on to something it seemed. 'Fortress Around Your Heart,' 'Love Is The Seventh Wave,' and 'Russians' all followed suit, and though not charting as high, still made a huge impact, driving the album near the top of the charts worldwide and selling into the millions. The album, while a huge success, ultimately signaled the end of The Police. The band tried to start up once again, but various issues prevented it from taking flight. What was supposed to be a stop gap during their time off turned into the first step on a highly successful solo journey, one that stands strong to this day.
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
What does one get when you take one of England's finest singer/songwriters, pair him up with one of America's most respected and heralded combos, and unleash them on a songbook of unknown lyrics from one of the most important figures in the history of American music? You get 'Mermaid Avenue,' an album of historical and modern significance.
The characters at play here are, of course, Billy Bragg and Wilco, who teamed up to set a cache of unknown Woody Guthrie lyrics to music, with highly glowing results. Issued in 1998, it seemed like a match made in heaven on paper, the 'alt-country'/ 'Americana'/whatever you wanna call 'em sounds of Wilco, merged with Bragg's own unique take on folk, rock, and pop music, was a good enough concept, but then toss in the lyrics of, arguably, the father of American folk music, and it was a great blending of all these parts.
Kindred spirit Bragg was always cut, in part, from the cloth of Guthrie, via Bob Dylan, and his involvement proved a perfect fit. The entire project was the brainchild of Nora Guthrie, Woody's daughter, who was, at the time, the director of the Woody Guthrie Foundation. The lyrics all date from the late 1930s through the late 1940s, with the latest date in the batch from 1950. The seeds for the project sort of sprang up from the ground, without much prodding, when Nora discovered a cache of her father's unused lyrics.
"It started with first finding the stuff. Finding the stuff, that’s where it starts. And after we discovered that there were so many hundreds of lyrics that no one had ever seen, and I include most people on the Earth in that sentence. There's maybe like three people that had ever looked through these files and boxes of my dad's stuff that had been sitting around for forty years," Nora Guthrie said in an interview surrounding the project. "There were just so many lyrics that I had never heard of, and my family hadn't heard of. And don't ask me why they were never recorded, because I can only suppose why. I wasn't there so I don't know the real answer to that one. I just started finding these great lyrics, and they sounded, I mean just as a piece of written word poetry, I just loved them. I thought hmm, someday I want to do something with this stuff. And then cut to the chase, I found Billy Bragg and asked him if he wanted to work on it. He kindly said yes."
From there it kind of snowballed with Bragg suggesting Wilco get involved and one lyric led to a song, then to another, and soon enough 'Mermaid Avenue' was born. "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key," "California Stars," "Eisler On The Go," and "The Unwelcome Guest," are only a few of the gems to be found here, as Bragg and Wilco create just the right mood musically, to fit the lost words of Guthrie.
There were so many lyrics, in fact, that ultimately there would end up being three volumes of material from Bragg and Wilco channeling Guthrie, all to great effect. 'Mermaid Avenue' is where it started, and truly is a 'modern day' essential as much as it is a historical nugget, connecting past to present to future along the way.
January is National Mentoring Month. Through the process of mentoring, individuals and organizations can discover new ways to prosper and achieve personal and group goals that benefit our whole community. The experiences of mentorship at a young age can be extremely formative, helping shape lives and mindsets.
Mentorship can provide added guidance that can nurture and direct people and groups more clearly towards achieving goals.
Mentoring is a long-lasting investment that can be revisited moving forward as new goals and challenges present themselves. As a mentor you may see results in minutes, or it may take years. Either way, keep planting those seeds, eventually they will bloom.
Shelby Olive is an all-American indie musician who we here at the station have known for quite a while! Her first album release was “Make Sound,” in 2018, and since then we’ve been hooked. Her background consists of singing with the Kent State University Jazz Orchestra, from 2015 to 2017, while she was earning her bachelor's degree in music education.
Her most played song here, “Nothing Wrong With Me,” is an influence for everyone everywhere struggling with any doubts or concerns about themselves, and her music in and of itself, has been described to “reflect her personality in an open and honest way” and as “a light when the world gets a little darker.”
It has been amazing to hear and see her grow, and she has amazed everyone in her sights with her whimsical talent and down-to-earth personality. I would strongly advise anyone to see her live and experience the joy and wonder for themselves.
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
When it comes to contemporary Christmas albums, it's hard to outdo JD McPherson's 'Socks.' On his 2018 release, the retro rocker channels all his vintage rock and roll influences, and molds them into something contemporary and revivalist at the same time, but most importantly, it's a hell of a lot of fun!
McPherson, in general, is a perfect example of time being incidental. This record could be a lost artifact from 1959, it could be a hidden gem from the post punk wave of bands like the Blasters, or it could have been recorded yesterday and released today. It's all about the songs and the spirit, something this has overflowing in both.
McPherson's choice to write and record all new Christmas songs was a stroke of genius. Instead of trotting out tunes from the same old book of standards, he and the ace band dish out a platter of new tunes for your holiday listening pleasure.
'Ugly Sweater Blues,' 'Hey Skinny Santa!,' 'Santa's Got A Mean Machine' and ‘Holly, Carol, Candy & Joy’ all stand as contemporary gems, that capture the season with a sense of humor as well.
Who knows, perhaps over the coming years, 'Socks' will become a standard seasonal favorite. We're gonna gamble the years to come, and label it as Essential now!
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
Since its release in November of 1963, 'A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector' has long been championed as the ultimate rock and roll Christmas album, and a celebrated annual spin on turntables, CD players, and now streaming, every year thereafter.
It's easy to figure out why once the first track, 'White Christmas,' as performed by Darlene Love, sets the tone. As good as that is to kick off the Christmas party, it truly jumps into high gear as the Ronettes deliver the definitive 'Frosty The Snowman.' It was nearly impossible for radios, or record players, to contain the joy emanating from the speakers.
That is ultimately the key to this album, Joy! It resonates throughout, from one song to the next, as Spector's signature sound rattles the ornaments off the tree. It's a well-known tale, and then some, that Phil Spector was a troubled, angry, and often evil hearted creature. Separate the art from the artist here, and bask in the sonic overload of Joy, which was in short supply at that moment. The album was released on November 22, 1963, the same day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
The Crystals take of 'Santa Claus is Coming To Town' and 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,' from the Ronettes, rocks the house, and truly delivers the feel of the holiday, in the best of ways possible. Other Christmas classics like 'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer,' 'Winter Wonderland' and 'Sleigh Ride,' all get the full Spector treatment, as the Wrecking Crew usuals such as Hal Blaine – drums, Don Randi – piano, Tommy Tedesco – guitar, Leon Russell - piano, Jack Nitzsche, Sonny Bono, and a dozen others, create the signature 'wall of sound' in all its glory.
Though the majority of the album is made up of standards, its the1963 composition of 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),' written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwhich, and Phil Spector, that steals the show. The song has gone on to become a genuine Christmas standard, standing right up alongside the traditional tunes before it. The album scored high, reaching No. 8 on Billboard, but it was seasonal and temporary. It has taken 60 years, for it to be elevated to classic level.
Though many acts have joined in the reindeer games over the years of issuing Christmas records, very successfully in some cases, 'A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector' stands alone. The nearest competition, from where I stand, would be 'The Ventures Christmas Album,' which was issued 2 years later. And while it’s a very cool record, the emotional depth, and ‘Joy’ this one brings, makes certain it stands alone as a true Essential!