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Arts & Entertainment News Release 12/16/08

NEW RADIO SHOW TO DEBUT IN WILLIAMSPORT: BILLTOWN BUS STOP RADIO HOUR

Williamsport PA—The Billtown Bus Stop Radio Hour, a new program, will debut on January 5th 2009, on WVYA 89.7FM. The show will run from 7 to 8PM and will be hosted by Williamsport-based “Singer at Large” Johnny J. Blair.

The Billtown Bus Stop Radio Hour will focus on music that was created locally or has a local connection. Most of the music to be aired will reflect what is going on in Williamsport and surrounding areas, with an emphasis on Americana, hip-hop, jazz, pop/rock, psychedelia, punk, world music, and “any visionary music that fits, from tango to techno,” said Blair. “There will also be a mix of humor, spoken word artists, and ‘theatre of the mind.’

“One subtext of the program will be the ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ philosophy. No one is really a total stranger. Everyone is separated from someone else by only six degrees. For example, I booked a guest in February who will provide a connection between Williamsport, John Coltrane, and Sponge Bob by only five degrees!”

The WVYA studio is located in downtown Williamsport inside the Community Arts Center, which sits near a bus stop. “Hence the name of the show,” said Blair. “You never know who might get off the bus.”

Blair will be hosting a line-up of special guests. Confirmed guests include members of The Badlees, electronic music prodigy John Bechdel (Fear Factory, Killing Joke, Ministry), Williamsport Mayor Gabriel Campana, pianist Mike Garson (David Bowie, Stanley Clarke, Gwen Stefani), Richard James (editor of The African-American Perspective), Key of V, Grammy-winning drummer Steve Mitchell, and members of the Uptown Music Collective and the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra.

Blair is recording artist, producer and singer-songwriter whose own music is described as “a mix of punk energy, old school soul and sunny pop invention.” He said, “I’ve done commercials and television, but I never thought I’d be entered into the league of radio hosts. I’m very excited about this project.”
Blair frequently records and tours with ex-Monkee Davy Jones, and Blair has backed Jones on network television documentaries and concert clips. Jones is slated to appear on the Radio Hour. “David is finishing mixes on a collection of pop standards, and we may debut that on the air early in 2009,” said Blair.

The January 2009 program schedule will include “prolific” alternative-rock singer-songwriter Ron Fleeger, children’s artist Alice Weiler, and a “Beatles night” with recording artist Chris Pick and ex-members of Rubber Soul, a Beatles tribute band. Blair noted, “There are only three degrees of separation between The Beatles and Williamsport.”

Listeners can sign up for an e-newsletter and playlists will be posted on www.billtownlive.com. More information about the Billtown Bus Stop will be posted at www.wvia.org.

(end) ###

credits

from THE BILLTOWN FILES (NOTHING LIKE WILLIAMSPORT), released April 7, 2017
This was the theme to my radio show, The Belltown Bus Stop Radio Hour. It ran from 2009-2011.

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Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

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