The Ongoing History of New Music

"The Ongoing History of New Music" which broadcasts on Toronto's 102.1 the edge will be celebrating it's 500th episode this coming week. The show broadcasts Sunday nights at 7 pm(EST) with a repeat broadcast Monday nights at 11 pm(EST). Two programs from the archives broadcast Sunday mornings between 10 am and 12 pm EST.

500 episdoes; that's alot of episodes. According to here, it debuted February 28, 1993. I don't listen to the show nearly as much as a I should but I frequently catch excerpts which the station broadcasts between songs sometimes. More often than not, I usually will catch part of the Sunday morning show such as this morning's show which was focused on Kurt Cobain's death and Nirvana's musical career.

102.1 the edge DJ veteran Alan Cross is the host of the show. What I enjoy about his narrative style is his general enthusiasm for alternative rock history. Alan Cross places the information in a context that makes you appreciate these bands more than you would have originally thought. So while I don't count myself, for example, a huge Radiohead or U2 fan, I frequently come from listening to the shows wanting to explore them further. Perhaps moreso than the narrative content, it's the show's little-heard b-sides or that rare archival audio I've never heard that makes the show just that much more interesting.

On a personal note, I feel transported back in time everytime I hear Alan Cross. I remember the time I was working part-time in a bookstore during university in the early 90's and Alan Cross was doing a book signing for his book "Alternative Music Almanac" which was inspired by the radio program. I got my copy of the book autographed and even chatted with him for a bit. He's been on the radio station for longer than I can remember and he's been a consistent source of inspiration, especially currently when the station's now just a shadow of its former self. Remember the good old days when they actually use to use the call letters, CFNY?


Related links
- Listen online to 102.1 the edge.
- Access "The Ongoing History of New Music" podcast here.
- Read Wikipedia's entry for the radio program.