Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour to debut on WNIT PBS Michiana
In addition to its release on the first Monday of every month, April 1, at
7 p.m. on WVPE Public Radio (88.1 FM) the Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour Show will enjoy its premiere on WNIT PBS Michiana (34.1) on the first Saturday of every month, April 6, at 10 p.m. Distributed and edited by video producer, Jim Yocom, the show, solicited from Wild Rose Moon by the station, is recorded before a live studio audience at the Wild Rose Moon Performing Arts Center in Historical Downtown Plymouth.
Yocom remarks, “This has truly been a community project; our cameras were funded by a grant from The Marshall County Community Foundation, the lighting is from 1st Source Bank, and we received major support from Marshall County Tourism. The crew and the regular on-air personalities are all from our area. I think of it as “organic, locally-sourced programming featuring national and international artists.” Since I’m from Marshall County and a former educator, it’s a real treat to be a part of a show where our young people learn media production, and where we can produce a show that brings the world to our community, and our community to the world.”
In this first television show (the 75th radio episode) the legendary singer-songwriter John Gorka holds court for his third visit to the performing arts center and his performance lives up to and exceeds all expectations. He mentions meeting Dave Van Ronk in Greenwich Village during his early years, working with singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky, meeting his mentor–the singer-songwriter, Stan Rodgers, delivering flowers on “a slippery” Valentine’s Day in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and discussing the study of American Idealism and the philosophy of self-realization at Moravian University. John also shares four original songs: Blue Chalk, The Sentinel, Branching Out, and That’s How Legends Are Made. As usual, John introduces each song with great tenderness and care – his stories make us feel we were with him during their conception. He invites the audience along on Branching Out, a song he describes as a favorite at Kerrville Folk Festival, the childlike refrain going, “I’m gonna reach, I’m gonna reach, up to the sky–i’m gonna reach, I’m gonna reach, ‘Till I know why!” His last song, a tribute to Stan Rodgers and the Godfrey Daniels Coffee House he wrote years ago, ironically sums up how most of us feel after listening to John present his material on this show.
Where the bands came through,
Some rang false and some rang true,
I’d stick around after they played,
To see how legends are made.
The show also features Valparaiso-born Stefan Hess, performing a beautiful song (lyrics penned by Parker Gage) called Bridge to Canada. Stefan’s effortless vocals and pristine guitar work make the experience quite notable. The Shoot the Moon game show follows contestants Christine Terpstra, a retired high school drama teacher from Jenison, Michigan, and Tom Fry, a graphic designer and blues guitarist from Niles, as they attempt to answer the questions– biographically tied to John Gorka’s music career. All this fun, plus a lively discussion with Derek Jensen, some brief words with music producer John Bahler, and a philosophical note from the Moon’s resident philosopher, Rosy – it’s “A Home for Humans,” and the occasional Basset Hound.