SHOW PROFILE: Shake Some Action
Air Time: 11am-1pm Saturdays
DJ: Buzzy Lawler
Date: July 17th, 2009
Author: Shannon Cleary
SHOW PROFILE: Shake Some Action
Air Time: 11am-1pm Saturdays
DJ: Buzzy Lawler
Date: July 17th, 2009
Author: Shannon Cleary
It’s unfortunate that commercial radio has attributed such a terrible stigma to the term “classic rock.” The constant rotation of a tired itinerary of “classic rock” artists can make listeners feel like they know immediately what to expect as soon as they hear those two words. What about the core of sixties and seventies rock’n’roll? What type of home is there for the music that has inspired and even in some cases been ripped off by some of today’s genre leaders? Well, when it comes to DJ Buzzy Lawler and his program Shake Some Action, prepare for a journey through the history of rock from the perspective of someone that knows that they are talking about. Throw away your preconceived notions and have a good time with Shake Some Action.
Shannon Cleary: What is the main focus of your program?
Buzzy Lawler: My focus is on sixties and seventies music that I grew up on, not necessarily what was played on the radio, except for classic underground radio of the late sixties/early seventies. My show is more from the perspective of one who delved below the surface of what was just on the radio, and who read and became informed about movers and shakers who sometimes didn’t get proper recognition for their contributions; The Move as opposed to the Doobie Brothers, just to name one example.
Shannon Cleary: What memories do you associate with music and radio that helped develop a desire within you to participate in radio?
Buzzy Lawler: I became thrilled at what poured out of radio at an early age, and even more thrilled when The Beatles hit the scene. Given the huge scope of music to choose from in just the sixties/seventies, I’ve long been chagrined at the fact that so little of the great variety gets any attention. I was asked in the early nineties to do a “new music” (alternative?) program on XL102 by Jeff McKee, as he knew my passion for music new and old. I did a two-hour Sun. night show called “Over the Edge” for over four years. Gene of WRIR’s “British Breakfast”, whom I’ve known since our days working at Peaches, urged me to get a show in the burgeoning days of the station. I think most folks harbor a desire to foist their musical tastes on others.
Shannon Cleary: How long have you been doing a program at WRIR?
Buzzy Lawler: My show has been from 11AM-1PM on Saturdays since a few months before WRIR went on the radio airwaves, so almost five years.
Shannon Cleary: On the website, the description of your show implies that you focus on classic rock? I was wondering what your thoughts were regarding the two approaches to a classic rock format between a commercial and an independent radio station? Do you ever find yourself playing material for the sake of acknowledging artists and genres of classic rock that wouldn’t be recognized otherwise on any other station?
Buzzy Lawler: Just as I came to really dislike the term “alternative music” in the 90’s, I think the term “classic rock” is very limiting. It immediately puts people in mind of a lot of bands that I never cared for, and that I certainly will not play on my show, e.g. Journey/Styx/REO Speedwagon/Boston/the afore-mentioned Doobie Bros.,etc. I’m very passionate about music, and view my show as somewhat of a history lesson about some of the artists folks may have heard about and never gotten to hear, but not only those artists. I also play liberal doses of The Beatles/Kinks/Stones, and many other well-known bands, but will avoid the overplayed and dig deeper into their massive songbooks. Sometimes I will come up with a theme for part of the show, or for the whole show, such as paying tribute to the three guitar greats who played at various times in The Yardbirds: Beck/Page/Clapton. I’ve done blues shows, Motown tributes, R&B shows, singer-songwriter shows, Led Zeppelin without Led Zeppelin (inspirations and influences), tributes to recently-deceased musicians, country-rock family tree, British blues bands. I love the music and I live it.
