Brian Rickman comes to us from Muscle Shoals, Alabama (yep – he's a “Roll Tide” kinda guy) but, throughout his 20+ years in the radio and music business, Brian has called many places home. Rickman started his career and path to deafness as a musician. Brian was the guitarist and primary songwriter for the grunge-era band Another Roadside Attraction. They didn't get famous (probably because their name was too long) but they did sign a record contract, had big shot managers in New York City, toured with bands that did get famous and were part of the same Midwestern scene that spawned Smashing Pumpkins and such. After life as a rock star didn't pan out, Rickman returned to the job he had in high school. At 16, he'd landed a part-time gig as a weekend DJ on his hometown radio station in Decatur, Illinois. While promoting the band, Brian became a popular guest on cheesy morning radio shows all over America (and sometimes Canada). After he took his guitars to the pawn shop, a news/talk radio station in New Jersey hired him to ramble on nonstop for many hours at a time and even proposed to pay him for this. He accepted. This began a long journey up and down the radio dial in places like New York City, both Carolinas, Los Angeles, Georgia, the aforementioned Alabama and now Texas. Brian was also the third wheel on the syndicated Mad Max Morning Show. You might have also heard him previously on Hard Drive with Lou Brutus, sparring with Eddie Trunk about which Motorhead album is the best or on countless radio commercials over the years (lots of concert commercials – he's the guy that yells at you on the radio about the Black Sabbath reunion tour coming to town). Rickman is also a published writer. He's worked as a critic for AllMusic, rock journalist for hipster websites like Consequence of Sound and Pitchfork and has published, to date, four novels (all in the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre). Last year, someone even bought the movie rights for that series. What a sucker. Throughout the years, Brian has collected numerous rock and roll experiences. He was super-pals with Dimebag Darrel, was David Lee Roth's drinking buddy, once bought Dave Mustaine new socks and one time got into a shouting match with Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot back stage after a show. Before fists were thrown, the fight was stopped by Ronnie James Dio...which is pretty hilarious. Now, Rickman joins us in East Texas to play the greatest Rock ever recorded, tell funny stories and write a bunch of weird crap for you to read on the internet. Enjoy!
Brian Rickman
Palestine Grandmother & 4 Children Perish in Flooding
A grandmother and her four grandchildren, all under the age of 9, were victims of the flooding last night in Palestine.
According to authorities, 6 to 10 homes in a Palestine neighborhood were severely damaged following the heavy rainfall and ensuing flooding which began just after midnight...
The Future of Prince is Utopian Science Fiction
Among music nerds and the Prince faithful, much has been made of his fabled vaults. Not just since his passing either. No, fans of Prince have wondered for years just what sort of genius might lurk beyond that imagined, 24-bolt Diebold vault door...
Candlebox & Chill With Classic Rock 96.1
Kevin Martin has one of the most distinctive voices of the post-grunge era. Need a refresher? This:
Or maybe this:
Of course, the band has done a lot more than those two tracks from their debut. Five albums-worth more, in fact (including the vastly under-rated Happy Pills) ...
“Dude, The Fire Hydrant By My House Is Totally Broken!”
"The fire hydrant near my house is broken. There's, like, water pouring out of it everywhere..."
That was a call I received on Friday.
The hydrant isn't broken. The city of Tyler did this on purpose. They're flushing the water lines...
Fort Worth Cop Caught On Video Macing Longview Bikers
A Facebook video has gone viral in just a few hours today (3/14/16) as it appears to capture a Fort Worth police officer spraying oncoming motorcyclists with mace. The video was taken via GoPro by one of the bikers.
As of Monday evening, the video has gone national, making the front page of the popular social sharing site, Reddit and sparking outrage from users...
I’m So Mad About This Bacon
Here's a life lesson from a guy that has been around the block more than twice.
There are a few things you should never cheap-out on. Good shoes and bacon come to mind.
This week, I bought bacon so bad that I wrote a strongly worded letter to the company...
Study: Excessive Marijuana Use In Young Adults May Become To Having Hard Time To Putting Sentences In 40’s.
According to a new study published online by JAMA Internal Medicine, people who smoked marijuana regularly as teenagers and young adults remembered fewer words as they entered middle age.
About 3,400 people were involved in the study...
Dallas Mayor Wants To Block Exxxotica Sex Expo
During tomorrow's Dallas city council meeting, officials will finally conclude whether or not to allow the return of the Exxxotica Sex Expo to the convention center.
It does not appear likely that the council will be able to legally block the event...
Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus Reported in Dallas County
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed to Dallas County health officials that the mosquito-borne Zika virus has been transmitted sexually in Texas.
It appears that the patient in question contracted the virus after having sexual contact with someone who had just returned from a country where the Zika virus was in full-effect...
Madison County, AR Is About To Get Its First Stop Light. And The Locals Don’t Like It.
"It's a slippery slope to the bitter end," a Huntsville, AR man told the local newspaper. "We'll end up like them people," he said.
The man was referring to Fayetteville, Arkansas, about 28 miles up the road. The big city.
Madison County, population 15,717, is getting its very first stop light installed and it's a hot button issue...
School Accidentally Opens White Pride Fitness Room
Sometimes, in our own excitement, we can miss the finer details.
Such was the case in River Falls, Wisconsin this week as Meyer Middle School inadvertently found itself embroiled in a glorious comedy of errors.
Here's how it went down...
Kid Scores 100% On Guitar Hero Playing Ozzy. Video Gets Removed For Copyright Issues. He Re-uploads With Glorious Results!
So, a kid works his butt off to score 100% playing Ozzy's "Bark At The Moon" on Guitar Hero. To brag a bit about his accomplishment, he posts a video of it to YouTube!
Only to have YouTube and Ozzy's record label delete the video due to copyright infringement...