WMJX (106.7 FM; "Magic 106.7") is a radio station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts. It has an Adult Contemporary format. The station's transmitter is located atop the Prudential Tower in Downtown Boston. The station is one of Boston's most successful radio stations.

History[link]

The 106.7 frequency in Boston was first used on December 15, 1957^[1] as WBZ-FM, the FM complement to WBZ, under the ownership of Westinghouse Broadcasting. The station's earliest format was a classical music format, and later evolved into a combination simulcast of the AM station during the morning, with the classical music at other times.

On December 31, 1971, WBZ-FM became a rock music station as "Rockin' Stereo 106.7", programming mostly top 40 with some album cuts. Although automated, it featured voice-tracked announcing from Clark Smidt (who also programmed the station) and Ken Shelton. For a time in the mid-1970s, WBZ-FM was Boston's second most popular top 40 station, trailing only WRKO. In 1975, both Smidt and Shelton left to join WCOZ, which was changing formats from beautiful-music to album-oriented rock. By 1979, WBZ-FM had drifted into an automated album-oriented rock format itself, which remained in place through 1981.

During the years as a rock station, WBZ-FM also simulcast the hourly newscasts from WBZ, the commercial spots on which were the only commercials heard on the FM side.

In 1981, WBZ-FM was sold to Greater Media, becoming that company's first Boston station. Under the new ownership, the station signed off for a couple of weeks at the very end of 1981. During this silent period, Greater Media installed a new transmitter and increased the height of the antenna on the WBZ-TV tower. A few years later, the transmission equipment was relocated to the Prudential Tower, improving the station's signal in Downtown Boston.

The new 106.7 signed on at 6 p.m. on January 6, 1982 as WMJX with program director Jack Casey delivering the legal ID: "This is WMJX, Boston" followed by a short welcome message from General Manager Bill Campbell. The station debuted the adult contemporary format pioneered by Greater Media at WMGK in Philadelphia, and also heard on WMGQ in New Brunswick, New Jersey and WMJC in Detroit. The initial air staff consisted of (Bob) Cohen and (Lori) Kelman in the Morning 5-9AM; Doug Collins 9AM-1PM; Ed Brand 1-5PM; David Allan Boucher 5-9 PM and Nancy Quill 9PM-1AM. The station's first song was "Do You Believe in Magic" by The Lovin' Spoonful. From the beginning of the Greater Media era, the station's name was "Magic 106". Due in part to the "get-acquainted-free offer" of commercial-free programming which Magic aired during its first two months of operation, the station quickly became the highest-rated adult contemporary station in Boston, reaching a 5.3 share of 12+ (according to Arbitron) listeners within its first year.

Upon debuting, WMJX faced several competitors, including WROR (98.5 FM, now the current WBZ-FM), WVBF (105.7 FM, now the current WROR-FM), WSSH (99.5 FM, now WCRB), and, to some extent, easy listening station WJIB (96.9 FM, now WTKK); however, during the 1990s, all four stations changed formats. (WROR-FM and WTKK are now also owned by Greater Media; the company at one time also operated the 99.5 frequency as WKLB-FM.)

Two of the personalities on Magic, Nancy Quill and David Allan Boucher, have been on the station since its inception. Qill has long been the weekday midday hostess; Boucher hosts the very popular nighttime show Bedtime Magic, and is also heard on various stations around the country and Canada.

WMJX has had only three program directors during its entire run. Jack Casey was the original program director from 1981 to 1986, followed by Phil Redo. Don Kelley has served as Vice President/Director of Programming since October 1989.

During the past decade (except for 2005), WMJX has been one of the very few AC stations not to broadcast wall-to-wall Christmas music during the weeks leading up to Christmas. In 2005, WMJX joined the bandwagon and broadcast an all-Christmas format from the day after Thanksgiving through December 25. It has not done so since, although sister station WROR-FM has broadcast an all-Christmas format during the holidays since 2007. However, during a 24 hour period from 6 p.m. Christmas Eve to 6 p.m. Christmas Day, WMJX presents a commercial free program called "The Magic Of Christmas." While it is billed as "traditional" Christmas music, most of the songs are new age or smooth jazz arrangements of holiday favorites.

WMJX frequently edits the songs they play to make them fit the "soft rock" format. Some examples include REO Speedwagon's "Keep On Loving You" (which has no guitar solo when played on WMJX), Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" (the guitar solo has been removed), and Taio Cruz's "Dynamite" (entire lines of the song's verses have been cut, for reasons unspecified). The station's renditions of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" and Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" contain so many poorly-timed edits that the time signatures of the songs are lost, making them difficult to dance to.

Cool, Hot or Green[link]

In 2008 WMJX ran a contest titled Cool, Hot or Green. The prize was advertised as a new car, a choice of a “cool” Mercedes-Benz C-series sedan, a “hot” Audi TT convertible or a “green” Toyota Prius. A complaint was filed when it was learned that the prize was a two year lease on one of the three cars, and would only be awarded if the winner qualified for the lease. In response the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a $4,000 fine to Greater Media, the station's owners.^[2][3]

HD radio[link]

WMJX broadcasts a smooth jazz format on their HD2 subchannel, which is a spinoff of the popular Sunday Morning Jazz program.

Awards[link]

In 1998, WMJX received a "Radio Active" Grammy Award for programming excellence. In 2007 the station was nominated for the top 25 markets adult contemporary station of the year award by Radio & Records magazine. Other nominees included KOST in Los Angeles, WALK-FM in Patchogue, New York, WLTW in New York City, WBEB in Philadelphia, and KEZK-FM in St. Louis.^[4] In 2010 the station received the Marconi award from the National Association of Broadcasters in the AC Station category.^[5]

References[link]

• Arbitron Radio Ratings
• NARAS Radio Active Award

External links[link]

• Official website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for WMJX
• Radio-Locator information on WMJX
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for WMJX

Vanessa Carlton
Background information
Birth name	Vanessa Lee Carlton
Born	(1980-08-16) August 16, 1980 (age 31) Milford, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Pop, rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1998–present
Labels	A&M, The Inc., Razor & Tie
Associated acts	Counting Crows, Stevie Nicks, Stephan Jenkins
Website	vanessacarlton.com

Vanessa Lee Carlton (born August 16, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Upon completion of her education at the School of American Ballet, Carlton chose to pursue singing instead, performing in New York bars and clubs while attending university. Three months after recording a demo with producer Peter Zizzo, she signed with A&M Records. She began recording her album, which was initially unsuccessful until Ron Fair took over. Her debut single, "A Thousand Miles", reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2002. Her debut album, Be Not Nobody, followed and received platinum certification in the United States. Her subsequent albums, Harmonium (2004) and Heroes & Thieves (2007), failed to exceed the commercial success of the first. She produced a fourth album, Rabbits on the Run (2011) independently before sourcing for a record label to release it.

Life and career[link]

Childhood and youth[link]

Carlton was born in Milford, Pennsylvania to Ed Carlton, a pilot, and Heidi, a pianist and school music teacher. She has two younger siblings, a sister, Gwen, and a brother, Edmund. Her uncle, Larry Carlton, is a jazz guitarist. Her mother is of Russian Jewish descent and her father is of Scandinavian ancestry.^[1] Her interest in music began at an early age: after returning from Disneyland at the age of two, she played "It's a Small World" on the piano. Her mother then began to tutor her.^[2][3] Carlton's mother exposed her to the works of various classical composers such as W.A. Mozart and Erik Satie. Through her father, she was exposed to classic-rock artists such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.^[4] She developed an interest in ballet at the age of nine; she was accepted at the School of American Ballet at age 14 while attending high school at the Professional Children's School. At age 18, she decided to devote her time to piano-playing and songwriting, choosing not to become a dancer on graduation. Instead, she attended Columbia University and performed in bars and clubs in Manhattan, New York, while waitressing^[3] in Hell's Kitchen.^[5]

[edit] 2002–2003: Be Not Nobody

Carlton first met songwriter/producer Peter Zizzo at a singer-songwriter circle. A few months later, Zizzo invited Carlton to his studio to record a demo.^[6] Three months after recording the demo, Carlton was signed by Jimmy Iovine and began to record the album, Rinse.^[7] It was never released, but a few tracks were reworked for Be Not Nobody. One song, "Carnival", was re-recorded as "Dark Carnival" for the Spy Hunter 2 video game. Other tracks included in Rinse are "Interlude" (later known as A Thousand Miles), "Rinse", "Ordinary Days" (later known as "Ordinary Day"), "Twilight", "Pretty Baby", "All I Ask" and "Superhero". Of these, only the first five are included in her first album, Be Not Nobody. Other unreleased tracks from her early demo tapes include "Faces", "Meggy Sue", "Little Mary", "Burden", "Wonder", "Devil Dance" and "Last Fall".

With her previous unsuccessful recording efforts, Carlton felt there was a lack of direction at her label.^[4] However, A&M president Ron Fair upon hearing her demo to "A Thousand Miles", began organizing recording sessions for the song, producing and arranging the song himself.^[8] It became a hit, peaking inside the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to become the sixth-most-played song of the year, as well as garnering Grammy Award nominations for "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year", and "Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)".^[9] Fair would produce the rest of the album. Be Not Nobody was subsequently released in April 2002 and debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 albums chart with 102,000 units sold. It went on to sell more than two million copies worldwide.^[10] Two more singles, "Ordinary Day" and "Pretty Baby" were released. Carlton began touring in support of her debut album, opening for the Goo Goo Dolls and Third Eye Blind, before headlining her own tour at the end of 2002. She later toured Europe in 2003.^[11]

Carlton had collaborated with other artists before the release of her second album. She provided the descant vocals for the Counting Crows song "Big Yellow Taxi", played piano for Italian singer Zucchero, along with Haylie Ecker on violin, for the song "Indaco Dagli Occhi Del Cielo"^[12] and provided backing vocals for "Moving On" by Kimya Dawson for her album Hidden Vagenda.

[edit] 2004–2005: Harmonium

Carlton's second album, Harmonium was released in November 2004. Harmonium debuted at number 33 on the Billboard 200^[9] and descended quickly after; selling less than 150,000 copies as of February 2006, which was considered a disappointment after her successful debut.^[13] It was produced by Stephan Jenkins from Third Eye Blind, and included darker themes than those on her debut.^[14] Carlton and Jenkins met and began a relationship in mid-2002, when she and rock band Third Eye Blind, of which Jenkins is lead singer, were on tour together. After seeing Carlton perform live, Jenkins entered her dressing room and expressed interest in producing her music, and according to Carlton they "decided very quickly, that we had the same vision for the album".^[15] Carlton credited Jenkins with helping her to withstand and protect herself from pressures the record label executives, who wanted to influence the recording process, placed on her.^[16] According to Carlton, her label "wasn't very happy" about the decisions she made during the making of the album.^[17] Carlton stated that the album contained more of her own aesthetic as opposed to Be Not Nobody which was more influenced by Ron Fair.^[18] A single, "White Houses", released to radio in late-August 2004, peaking at number 86 on the "Billboard" Hot 100.^[19] MTV censored and later banned the single's music video because of a controversial lyric in the song that refers to sexual intercourse. Carlton attributed the censoring of the song to the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy involving Janet Jackson which had occurred earlier that year.^[20]

To support the album, Carlton embarked on a North American concert tour, which began on October 21, and concluded on November 21; her opening act was Low Millions. A second tour, with Cary Brothers and Ari Hest as supporting acts, ran from March 9 to April 30. Carlton left A&M Records in mid-2005^[21] as she felt that her nonconformist attitude would have created problems for her at the label in the future.^[9] A&M Records had sent Carlton into the recording studio because they wanted to re-release Harmonium, whereas Carlton felt the album should be celebrated as it was. During her studio time, in which she wrote songs with Linda Perry and The Matrix,^[22][23] she had what she called a "revelation" about leaving the label to find another record deal once promotion for Harmonium had ended.^[24]

[edit] 2006–2008: Heroes & Thieves

Carlton at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008

In August 2005, Carlton said she was to enter the recording studio the following month with producer Linda Perry,^[25] with whom she had previously collaborated after executives at A&M Records sent her into the studio to record a re-release single for Harmonium.^[22] The album was influenced by Carlton's breakup with its co-producer, Stephan Jenkins, and Carlton said that one of the reasons they remained friends was that "nothing took precedence over the music ... No matter what was going on in the emotional realm, all we cared about was the album. It created this kinetic environment that was kind of like Fleetwood Mac. It made for better music."^[26]

Heroes & Thieves was released and greeted with generally positive reviews.^[27] It debuted at number 44 on the U.S. Billboard 200,^[28] "Nolita Fairytale" was the first single and peaked at number 26 adult. As of December 2009, the album had sold 200,000 copies in the U.S.^[29] To promote the album, Carlton embarked on the Haunted Club Tour, from November 2 to November 24, 2007.^[30] Second single "Hands on Me" was sent out to radios in February 2008 and reached number nine. Carlton parted amicably with The Inc. once her promotional commitments to Heroes & Thieves had passed.^{[citation needed]}

She contributed a stripped version of the song "More Than This" to Songs for Tibet, in support of Tibet to underline its human rights situation.^[31] On September 25, 2008, Carlton and several other musicians and scientists, departed on a nine-day trip to the Arctic Circle. On behalf of the charity Cape Farewell, they worked alongside researchers for the purpose of studying climate change.^[32] On June 19, 2010, Carlton came out as bisexual while headlining Nashville Pride.^[33] Carlton had also been a part for PETA's Animal Birth Control Campaign,^[34] she owns a long haired dachshund named Lord Victor.

[edit] 2011: Rabbits on the Run

Carlton performing live in August 2011.

Carlton's fourth studio album, Rabbits on the Run was released on July 26, 2011 under Razor & Tie, the third record label she signed with.^[35] Before recording the album, Carlton was unsure whether she wanted to make another record or pursue film scoring instead.^[36] After deciding to try again, she decided that she needed to record in the ideal environment, choosing to record at Real World Studios Box, England.^{[37][not in citation given]} She chose the title for the symbolism often depicted by rabbits – 'time slipping, mind floating' – which is something she has been relating to for the past few years.^[38] The album was further inspired by Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, and Richard Adams's Watership Down. The dreamy, fantastical sound of the album was achieved by recording direct to tape and features production by Steve Osborne.^[36] First single, "Carousel" was released on May 3.^[39] On September 19, a tweet in Carlton's account made by her management stated that "I Don't Want To Be A Bride" would be the next single off the record.

On November 10, a tweet made by Carlton's management announced the upcoming release of her holiday EP entitled Hear The Bells on November 21.^[40] The EP is consisted of four tracks, two of which are acoustic versions of Carlton's songs Hear The Bells and A Thousand Miles.^[41] Via Twitter, Carlton announced the upcoming music video release of "Hear The Bells", in compensation for "I Don't Want To Be A Bride." ^[42]

Charity work[link]

In 2005, Carlton completed the New York City Marathon and donated the pledge money she collected to Musicians on Call, a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to patients' bedsides.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• 2002: Be Not Nobody
• 2004: Harmonium
• 2007: Heroes & Thieves
• 2011: Rabbits on the Run

Compilation albums[link]

• 2011: Icon: Best of Vanessa Carlton

EPs[link]

• 2011: Hear The Bells

Awards[link]

Nominations

• 2002 – Billboard Music Award for New Artist of the Year
• 2003 – American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist
• 2003 – Grammy Award for Record of the Year; "A Thousand Miles"
• 2003 – Grammy Award for Song of the Year; "A Thousand Miles"
• 2003 – Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s); "A Thousand Miles"

References[link]

External links[link]

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Steven Springer
Steven Springer
Background information
Birth name	Steven Anthony Springer
Born	(1951-09-23) 23 September 1951 (age 60) Port of Spain, Trinidad
Genres	Jazz Reggae Progressive rock Soca Calypso
Occupations	Musician, Businessman
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1964–present
Labels	Something Else!, Schoolkids, Black Kettle, Sony
Associated acts	Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band Sir Lancelot TROPICOOLJAZZ
Website	StevenSpringer.info
Notable instruments
Customized Xaviere Customized Alden Customized Yamaha SBG2000 Customized Telecaster aka "Cancer Assassin"

Steven Springer (born Steven Anthony Springer on September 23, 1951) is an American guitarist and songwriter known for his innovative smooth soft touch guitar style. Steven is best known for being a member of the Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band and for playing with Sir Lancelot Pinard, Arizona-based band Sanctuary, and his current musical project Tropicooljazz.

Background and Early Career[link]

Steven Springer grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad and attended St. Mary's College. He started a band while in high school, and quickly became a very popular and sought-after guitarist, and was a regular fixture at local dances and parties. He left Trinidad to attend college at the Mayfield College, Sussex, England.

Music career[link]

Steven Springer

Sanctuary[link]

After graduation, Steven moved to Phoenix, Arizona and formed a band called Sanctuary, which rose to fame, winning local awards for “Band of The Year” for three consecutive years, as well as “Album of the Year,” during the 1980’s.

Sir Lancelot[link]

Steven Springer and Brian Pinard performed as "The Knights of The Holy Trinity" to accompany Brian Pinard's uncle, famous calypso artist Sir Lancelot. They recorded Sir Lancelot's final album, called "Pinaryhymns - Religious Calypso."

Trinidad Calypso Band[link]

Touring worldwide, Springer was a featured artist at the 1988 World’s Fair in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, performing with the Trinidad Calypso Band.

Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band[link]

Upon returning to the United States, Springer moved to Michigan and joined Hugh Borde’s world famous Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band, performing and recording with them for over ten years. While in Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band, Steven performed with Robert Greenidge, Othello Molineaux, and Marcus Belgrave and also shared the stage with The Wailers^{[disambiguation needed ]}, Eek-A-Mouse and Arrow.

NiteFlight[link]

Steven teamed up with Joseph Allen (keyboards, vocals), Dector Scott (bass guitar, vocals), Norris George (steel drum), and Robert Valentine (steel drums) to form NiteFlight Caribbean Band. They were soon playing large festivals, such as the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Motown Winter Blast, Arts, Beats and Eats, and African World Festival. NiteFlight won awards for best Road Band at the Detroit International Caribbean Festival.

Tropicooljazz[link]

Inspired by a visit to Trinidad, Steven Springer decided to write and record some new songs, featuring a new style of jazz he dubbed "Tropicooljazz," which was a melting pot of all of the music that has influenced him: calypso, soca, jazz, reggae, Latin, blues, rock and R&B. He recorded the first Tropicooljazz CD by collaborating with musicians from all over the world via the internet. Steven then followed up that release with another visit to Trinidad and another CD release, "Tropicooljazz 2" which featured more songs that were written about and inspired by Trinidad and Tobago, as well as his personal battle with cancer. Normally known for his instrumental releases, "Three Came For Me" features vocal tracks by a wide variety of well-known Caribbean and jazz artists. "Tropicooljazz 4.0" features a unique collection of songs which highlight Steven's world music background, while continuing to develop the Tropicool sound.

JUNGLE[link]

In 2010, Steven began a musical project with drummer and percussionist Muruga Booker as well as bass guitarist Dave Sharp consisting of a fusion of world, funk, rock, Caribbean and tropical jazz. They released a self-titled CD in late 2010 that was recorded live at Muruga's Sage Ct. Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Music videos[link]

Steven Springer has released many innovative music videos, several of which can be viewed online.

• "Legend of Springer" music video
• "Monkey Brains" music video
• "Fire For Glenda" music video
• "Bob & Peter (jazz version)" music video
• "Carnival" music video
• "How the West Was Won" music video
• "All Kind Ah Ting" music video

Awards[link]

Steven was chosen “Best Guitar Player,” every year from 1990 to 1993, at the annual Detroit Music Awards.

Influences[link]

Growing up in Trinidad, Steven was inspired by the melodic lilting sound of soca and calypso, and he started playing guitar at a young age. Steven was intrigued by the fusion of many different cultures and beautiful natural features of Trinidad. Steven loved to listen to the steel bands perform at Carnival. After hearing The Ventures records and seeing The Merrymen perform he quickly learned to play guitar.

Personal life[link]

Family[link]

Steven is married to Denise Dooley, and they live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was formerly married to Karen Bronski, who died due to cancer. He had three children with his first wife: Venissa, Sarah and Johnpaul.

Cancer[link]

In 2005 Steven was diagnosed and treated for cancer, and the cancer went in to remission. In 2007 cancer once again appeared, this time in his lungs. A trip to Trinidad in 2008, helped his cancer go in to remission,^[1] however he was then once again diagnosed with cancer in 2010. Steven is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. He often performs at fund raisers and benefits for cancer societies around the world.

Equipment[link]

Guitars[link]

Steven Springer

Steven endorses and plays Xaviere guitars, and Alden Guitars. He also uses Hamer, Ovation and BLB sound. He uses GuitarHeads pickups. He also often plays a Fender Telecaster custom and a Yamaha SBG2000. He uses GHS Boomers guitar strings (11 gauge), and Line 6 amplifiers and processors. He usually does not use any guitar picks, but when he does he uses Jim Dunlop 88's.

Amplifiers[link]

The Steven Springer lead guitar tone is produced by a humbucker equipped guitar with no tone control, into a Line 6 amplifier and processor

Effects[link]

For his distinctive electric guitar sound, Steven does not use many effects pedals. He uses a slight reverb for some songs, as well as some delay for other songs. Currently Steven uses Line 6 effects processors primarily.

Partial discography[link]

This is only a partial discography. Steven has performed on over 25 albums as well as a guest artist on countless recordings. His song "Shashee" was released by Sony Music as part of a CD compilation.

	"Shashee" "Shashee" by Steven Springer, from "Three Came For Me"
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	"Joanna's Way" "Joanna's Way" by Steven Springer, from "Tropicooljazz"
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Sanctuary[link]

• Sanctuary
• Sanctuary 2
• Sanctuary 3

Sir Lancelot[link]

• Pinardhymns - Religious Calypso

Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band[link]

• Trinidad Tripoli Live
• HOTLIKEFIRE

NiteFlight[link]

• NiteFlight Caribbean
• Speaking Out
• NiteFlight.us

TROPICOOLJAZZ[link]

• Tropicooljazz
• Tropicooljazz 2
• Three Came For Me
• Tropicooljazz 4.0

JUNGLE[link]

• Jungle

Solo[link]

• Caribbean Casino
• Caribbean Collection 1
• Caribbean Collection 2
• Satisfyingly

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Official Steven Springer Site
• Steven Springer Official Facebook Site
• Steven Springer Official MySpace Site
• Tropicooljazz Official MySpace Site