Listen Monday, May 5, at 7 PM on 88.1 WVPE.
It was a magical March 1st evening, bits of snow flew through the air, and fans of “Southside” Denny Snyder and Ole’ Harv poured into Leighton Auditorium at the Saint Joseph County Library to experience both legends at their best. Denny and his band, consisting of upright bassist Louis Poulos and keyboard legend Don Savoie, dazzled the audience with a short concert followed by their appearance on the Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour. During the show, Denny is joined by two band members of The Radio Hour Band, fiddler Sean Hoffman and electric bassist Nathan Waddill, with the highlight of the show featuring Chicago Blues Hall of Famer and host of WVPE’s Blues Revue, Ole’ Harv (Harvey Stauffer).
The show begins with the signature theme song, “The River Goes Round,” sung by host George Schricker, followed by some harmless banter concerning A.I. and the word “applausologist” with the show’s announcer, Derek Jensen. Wild Rose Moon’s guiding light and mascot, “Rosie,” shares a quote from Tom Morello, before the attention turns to Denny’s first song, “Conscience Blues.” The plain-spoken song offers sound advice for troubled times:
You’ve got to have a conscience and let it be your guide,
You’ve got to have a conscience and keep it by your side,
You’ve got to have a conscience with everything you do,
You’ve got to have a conscience if you want to heal your blues.
Denny follows up this song with his signature tribute to Django Reinhardt’s jazz style, “Gypsy”. Joined by Ft. Wayne-based fiddler Sean Hoffman, subbing in for Django’s longtime partner, Stephane Grappelli, the two deliver fine, ingenious solos during the tune. Before beginning, Denny tips his hat to his present residence in Montreal by crowning the new Leighton auditorium as “Club d’Indiana.”
At the break, Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour bandleader John Bahler introduces his swing tune, “Lovesick Fool,” whose sophisticated lyrics had been penned in John’s fourth-grade classroom. Already mimicking the best lovesick stories of popular music of the day, young John’s songwriting prowess shines through:
I’m just a lovesick fool,
Just sleepin’ on the floor,
And you might not know it,
But I just don’t like walkin’ out your door.
The song features fine solos by Sean Hoffman on fiddle and Ellen Coplin on Cello and fits nicely as a jazzy bookend of Denny’s “Gypsy.”
The “Shoot the Moon” radio quiz show immediately follows with contestants Pam LaPierre (of ABC 57) and Cindy McCraner (PBS Michiana). Both Pam and Cindy “battle it out” as they take turns answering questions biographically tied to Denny Snyder or Ole’ Harve with titles, “Really Riley” (concerning Indiana poet, James Whitcomb Riley), “Hall of Sound” (of the Mishawaka-based “Dirty White Couch,” recording studio, “Spinning the Hits” (Elkhart record store where Ole’ Harv discovered his love for the blues), and “When You’re a Jet” (a favorite toy of Denny’s as a child.) The fanciful quiz show ends in a virtual tie, after which each contestant receives a sticker and mug for their generous-hearted participation.
The show’s concluding section begins with one of Denny’s signature tunes, “Nothin’ Doin’,” which features Wild Rose Moon Radio Hour Band’s Nathan Waddill on a hopped-up bass that sparks the instrumental’s melodic hook and coffee percolator beat. Following that, Ole’ Harv is introduced to thunderous applause and helps finish the night with a passionate delivery of Denny’s signature song, “Sidin’”. Serving as a tribute to all the blues players from long ago, the audience claps along as Don Savoie and Denny drive the song forward with their spirited playing as Ole’ Harv sings: “Leo Kottke, J.J. Cale, and Johnny Winter too, I’ve seen ‘em all slidin’ while they're playing the blues!” At the song’s conclusion, Harv asks the audience, “Did you have a good time?” and the audience gives an enthusiastic, “Yes!” Indeed, it was one fine winter night in South Bend at the Leighton Auditorium with “Southside” Denny Snyder and his friends. Enjoy!