Missing Uncle Gram - Rest in Peace

Here is the obituary that was just sent to the newspaper (will be in The State and the Twin Cities - Batesburg-Leesville - Times tomorrow) for our dear friend and radio colleague, Mark "Uncle Gram" Lyvers.

Mark Anthony Lyvers, age 71, died August 26, 2018.

Mark, who gained fame as longtime WUSC radio host “Uncle Gram,” was born in 1947 to the late John Samuel Lyvers and Betty Mae Hallock Lyvers of Annapolis, Maryland.  

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Matthew Wayne Lyvers.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 37 years, Henrietta Gill Lyvers; two daughters, Natalie Lyvers Derrick (Matt), Timmie Lyvers Hayes (Mike); son, Alexander Gill Lyvers (Andrianna); sisters, Nona McNatt, Denise Messineo (Tony), Pam Stern (Jeff), brother, Lane Lyvers (Dannye), sister-in-law Anna Soper Lyvers; 11 grandchildren, one great-grandson and many nieces and nephews.

Mark was graduated from Annapolis High School, then joined the Air Force where he served overseas as a Morse Code operator from 1966-72, then was honorably discharged. He returned to Columbia where he worked for Eastern Airlines followed by Pioneer Machinery.

As “Uncle Gram,” Mark was internationally renowned as the host of WUSC’s “Red Bank Bar and Grill” radio show every Saturday for two decades. His knowledge and warmth was integral in growing the Americana genre. He interviewed national and local singer-songwriters and was regularly chosen as Free-Times “Editors’ Pick” for Best DJ.

Mark enjoyed sports and coached his children's sports teams. He was a member of Wittenberg Lutheran Church, was beloved by family and friends far and wide, loved life and lived his to the fullest.

Memorials may be made to the Wittenberg Food Pantry, or to WUSC-FM, or a charity of your choice.

A service celebrating Mark’s life will be held Thursday, August 30 at 6 p.m. at Wittenberg Lutheran Church, 233 North Lee Street, Leesville, SC 29070.

 

-###-

RIP Uncle Gram of WUSC's Red Bank Bar and Grill

Our joy at the thought of returning to the airwaves tomorrow evening was dashed when I got the call last evening that our dear friend, colleague, fellow-dj, and all around wonderful person, Mark Lyvers (aka Uncle Gram) had passed away. Our hearts are simply breaking.



Our friend and fellow DJ Mark Lyvers
aka WUSC's "Uncle Gram"

I'd been on the phone with his wife a half hour before and all was normal and I'd seen him recently on my weekly visit to the farm where I ride with his wife... and where my two former co-hosts "Claudette, the Blues Doggess" (aka Lawdy Miss Clawdy) and dear RockyDawg Blues Defender are buried so they can still do what they loved - run alongside Kee Kee the Wonderhorse (aka Stinkerbell) as he gallops up pastoral hillsides with me or Mark's wife Henri aboard. On that visit, Mark was alert and interested in tuning in to hear the launch of Blues Moon Radio's 29th year!

So. A shocking and sad surprise to so suddenly lose Mark. Of course, he had been suffering a long, progressive illness with no cure, but the fact is we thought he would be with us a whole lot longer.

His calm warmth, his intelligent and gentle communication, and his deep love for music which he took the time to know so much about were hallmarks of his radio show. He put every ounce of spare energy and time into giving his listeners the fullest experience they could have by listening. He meant so much to performers whom he lifted up and pushed out into the public's eyes and ears. He gave countless hours of spare time to help make the world a better place - and thanks in large part to his efforts, our world here in the Midlands (and rippling out across the globe) it worked! He was many times named best DJ in Free Times Best Of, editor's picks.

We lift him up to his eternal rest in the arms of his God - and know he is flipping those platters non-stop up in heaven. I suspect Gram Parsons is showing him around in thanks for all that fandom.

His name was taken from Uncle Tupelo and Gram Parsons - icydnk.

Our show tomorrow - one he often enjoyed subbing for under the pseudonym Muddy Rivers - will be in his honor. I'll try to do the best I can. I doubt I will measure up.

We already miss you so much, Mark. Rest well... you did good AND you did well.

Love,
Clair DeLune

It's Music for Moolah at WUSC this week: Tuesday, March 28, 2017

WUSC fundraisers used to be called Moolah for Music, because we'd play songs you requested if you pledged. Well, this week we will have a twist on the old school pledge drive with Music about Moolah - and we hope you will give to our station because we are an educational station that has a shoestring budget, volunteer djs and we serve up the best music you never knew you loves... obscure, rare, and either so old or so new it squeaks (really - isn't that funny? Same outcome on both sides of the spectrum - just proves life is really a 360 deal, eh?).

So please mail your checks to:
WUSC-FM Fundraiser (notation: bc Blues Moon w/Clair DeLune)
 RHUU Rm 343
1400 Greene St.
Columbia, SC 29208

And if you want to include a note that you gave because you love Blues Moon with Clair DeLune (or insert your even more favorite show and dj so they'll get the pat on the back and keep their show slot for another term) it helps management get the idea of whom to bring back and feature in the prime time slots.

We love that you listen, we want to spend time on the music and info about the artists, so we won't stop out to take requests... we'll show our love for you showing your love by staying on the air another term. How's that for fair?

Thanks so much!

Here is Tuesday's playlist (with some surprises from an old moolah playlist from 2009 - I might trot some of those out).

Playlist:

Keep me aboard for Year 28 with your contributions... we're not doing the online fundraiser this time, so if you can send a check, or call the Student Media business office to donate by credit card, I guess that's how we'll win this horse race. We cannot do it without you and my fans are the best... you always keep the grooves going around and the jook joint swingin'!

Rocky and I luvs ya lots!
Clair and RockyDawg

Something Wrong In the World 1/17/2017 Blues Moon Radio Show

Something Wrong In the World
1/17/2017 Blues Moon Radio Show

Creative Commons usage permitted/Bing

Every now and again, it seems the world just takes a break from fostering humanity. This show has stood as a stalwart champion of humanity, with a focus on studying what gives humans the blues (depression/sadness) and attempting to cure it with music (The Blues, which is an antidote to the blues).

Lately, we seem to be heading back to a time when hurtful things are acceptable. My protest against that is this show with the theme, "Something Wrong In This World."

My motto is "Be Nice, Do Right."

Drink Small, who was my pro bono PR client for almost 20 years, has a signature song called "Never Too Late to Do Right" and we'll include that.

Be nice to yourselves and each other, dear ones. It hardly takes any energy to do right and a whole lot to do wrong and have to fix it later. Sometimes things cannot be made right. Better to do it well the first time.

Love from the sunny RockyDawg and Miss Clair...

Main playlist (we might pick some unadvertised gems to add!):

We always love to remind you that there are some great concerts coming your way:

Blue Moon Concert Series
Ultrafaux – Gypsy Jazz – Saturday January 28^th
Harpeth Rising – from Nashville – Saturday Feb. 18^th

The above are part of the Blue Moon Concert series at the UU Coffeehouse, 2701 Heyward, Columbia, SC; at the corner of Heyward and Woodrow in the heart of ShandonUnitarian Universalist Congregation, 2701 Heyward, Columbia, SC. Tickets are $20. Reserve your tickets through the UU Hotline, (803) 200-2824. Doors open at 7:00, show starts at 8:00.. Reserve your tickets through the UU Hotline, (803) 200-2824. Doors open at 7:00, shows at 8:00.  Tickets and info for those are available via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/UUCoffeehouse/

And please remember that gift giving is easy for your music lovers - www.papajazz.com has all your music needs and a few first-edition signed copies of my photographic essay, South Carolina Blues. If they sell out, or you live far away, you can find it at https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9781467114721/South-Carolina-Blues

 May 2017 bring all good things!
Clair DeLune and RockyDawg

An art poster (11x/17) of the front cover of "South Carolina Blues" is available for sale by your host, Clair DeLune.

 Copies of the book, South Carolina Blues are available from the publisher, and wherever books are sold - in Columbia, signed copies are available from our favorite record shop, Papa Jazz on Greene Street for the cover price of $22 plus tax. And, as always, mail order signed first-editions are available from the author directly by sending a check or money order for $28 dollars to Clair DeLune at POB 5591 Columbia, SC, 29250; which includes price of book, tax and $4 S/H. Please indicate to whom you would like the book inscribed (please print clearly). A perfect gift for any Sandlapper, or music or history buff - or all three!

The print is available for $25, including postage and handling in the continental U.S.



 See you on the air - wusc.sc.edu - then click LISTEN

Clair DeLune and RawkyDawg, Blues Defender

As always we thank our underwriters, who help bring great music to the Midlands, because we could not imagine our show without their input and support:  Papa Jazz Record Shoppe; California Republic Stand Up Paddleboards in Leesville near Lake Murray (closed for the season); and Word of Mouth Productions. You can link to these orgs by clicking on the visuals...

 

http://www.californiarepublicsup.com/

 

Blues Moon Concerts

 

and
This blog is brought to you  in part by:
South Carolina Blues:
500 years of roots and blues music history in S.C.
by Clair DeLune
on Arcadia Publishing

Tribute to Pres. Kennedy and a Thanksgiving feast 11/22/16 on Blues Moon Radio

We will pay tribute to JFK on the 53rd anniversary of his tragic death via a collection of Blues songs compiled on that topic.

We have lost the widow of Willie Dixon - a wonderful woman who fought and won rights to his royalties - quite a difficult feat - and who passed away this past weekend.

The Sandlapper State has lost one of its own, our dear Will Salley, who left us after a valiant fight against ALS. Our hearts are broken and we send deepest love and sympathy to his wife, his many dear friends, colleagues and fans.

Some music to celebrate live concerts coming to the area are on tap:

11/29: Wes Mackey, who adorns the cover of Ben Franklin's book, Encyclopedia of South Carolina Jazz and Blues Musicians, will do an in-store appearance next Tuesday from 4-5 at Papa Jazz Record Shoppe on Greene Street in Columbia SC (just up the hill from Harden St.) and appear on Blues Moon Radio that evening.

12/3: Alejandro Escovedo will appear at CMFA / 914 Pulaski St Columbia 29201 (near the Amtrak station) / Saturday December 3, 2016 / Doors at 7P - Show at 8P. Tickets are $30.00 /available through Word of Mouth Productions face page / event site soon or local 708-4500.

Alejandro is on tour in support of his new album “Burn Something Beautiful.” He was named the "'No Depression' Artist of the Decade" in 1998 and received Americana Music’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2006. A new local group “Grand Republic” with former band mates of Danielle Howle will open.

 12/10: The new Blue Moon Concert series (formerly UU Coffeehouse) will open its four-concert series on Saturday, Dec. 10th featuring Johnny Irion with Tim Bluhm.  Also on the bill that night will be Columbia's Prairie Willows. The location is the UU Church at Woodrow and Heyward. 803-200-2824 - you can reserve tickets there (steep student discount).

Because there is always something to give thanks for, we give thanks for our listeners and friends around the world and dedicate our Thanksgiving Feast segment of the show to you... our playlists follow.

As always, we feature an artist from Word of Mouth Productions' Blues Festival roster though the years, and tonight it is another upcountry Palmetto State alumni, Mac Arnold - he'll tell you how he began playing his famous gas can guitar.

Thanks for tuning in - the show is jam-packed, and jelly tight! We'll even finish up with some jelly roll songs for a sweet touch...

 

Enjoy your holiday, Americans! And feast on something great, everyone across the world - sending light and love and hope to all!

We are especially grateful to have our co-host Rocky still with us after a near drowning Saturday night - much too cold for a midnight swim, young man! Glad he is safe and with us for this show about giving thanks - and hopefully many more shows to come!

Clair DeLune and RockyDawg

An art poster (11x/17) of the front cover of "South Carolina Blues" is available for sale by your host, Clair DeLune.

 Copies of the book, South Carolina Blues are available from the publisher, and wherever books are sold - in Columbia, signed copies are available from our favorite record shop, Papa Jazz on Greene Street for the cover price of $22 plus tax. And, as always, mail order signed first-editions are available from the author directly by sending a check or money order for $28 dollars to Clair DeLune at POB 5591 Columbia, SC, 29250; which includes price of book, tax and $4 S/H. Please indicate to whom you would like the book inscribed (please print clearly). A perfect gift for any Sandlapper, or music or history buff - or all three!

The print is available for $25, including P&H in the continental U.S.



 See you on the air - wusc.sc.edu - then click LISTEN

Clair DeLune and RawkyDawg, Blues Defender

As always we thank our underwriters, who help bring great music to the Midlands, because we could not imagine our show without their input and support:  Papa Jazz Record Shoppe; California Republic Stand Up Paddleboards in Leesville near Lake Murray (closed for the season); and Word of Mouth Productions. You can link to these orgs by clicking on the visuals...

 

http://www.californiarepublicsup.com/

 

Blues Moon Concerts

 

and
This blog is brought to you  in part by:
South Carolina Blues:
500 years of roots and blues music history in S.C.
by Clair DeLune
on Arcadia Publishing

Tonight we pay tribute to several artists who have left us:
Carey Bell will be featured as our Word of Mouth Productions' Artist of the Week. This is the five year anniversary of Honeyboy Edwards passing. And Nature Boy Nik's funeral was this past weekend in Charleston, South Carolina.

Rest in peace, to all our Blues friends who have gone on ahead; and peace to those who miss them forever. We will see and hear you again one day in heaven.

Tonight, we'll hear from those artists on the radio, amid some surprise cuts sprinkled in among the following scheduled cuts:

Stay strong, Blues fans...
Clair DeLune and RockyDawg, Blues Defender

As always we thank our underwriters, who help bring great music to the Midlands, because we could not imagine our show without their input and support:  Papa Jazz Record Shoppe; the UU Coffeehouse; California Republic Stand Up Paddleboards in Leesville near Lake Murray; and Word of Mouth Productions, who present the Columbia Blues Festival each autumn - hold Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 open for a great show!

You can link to these orgs by clicking on the visuals...

 

 

http://www.californiarepublicsup.com/

Blues Moon Radio Interview, Tix giveaway and playlist Sept. 24, 2013

Jim Kweskin Jug Band (early 60s) just "juggin' around."

 

We have a great show lined up for you tonight - we are featuring a great interview with Jim Kweskin, of Jim Kweskin Jug Band during the 50th anniversary year of the band's founding.


Kweskin in 2013; appearing in duo with Geoff Muldaur

We will hear some of the band's old songs to get ready for Kweskin & Muldaur's appearance at the 17th Annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival brought to us by the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County (click for information and roster of artists).

You will have a chance to win a set of passes to the event ... so listen to the interview and be ready to call in and answer a quiz question about Jim Kweskin after the interview. The station number is 803-576-9872 (WUSC). We'll announce when lines are open!

Later in the show:

We'll also tie in some popular culture of years gone by with today's date. Hint: Fan mail from a flounder!

It's going to be a rip-snorter of a show - not to be missed!

Hope you can tune in or stream - we'll miss you if you are gone!

Best Blues from your Blues buddies,
Clair DeLune and RockyDawg, Blues Defender.

Blues Moon Radio returns from Summer hiatus tonight at 6 p.m.

Welcome to the start of our 24th year of Blues Moon Radio!

The Blues Moon with Clair deLune.

We'll begin the "new year" leading into the quarter of a century mark with a bang...

 

...tune in at 6 p.m. ET for the best in Blues and Roots music.  

HOW TO TUNE: WUSC-FM 90.5 and HD-1 Columbia or stream it globally at: www.wusc.sc.edu at -5 GMT; you can also connect through iTunes, college radio.

Streams are limited - be sure to tune in early - or keep trying if you can't connect right away.

Blues Moon Radio playlist for Feb. 5, 2013

Blues Moon Radio playlist for Feb. 5, 2013

Welcome! RockyDawg, Blues Defender, and I are always happy to have you join us for one of the longest running radio shows in the country - nearly a quarter of a century - and still playing the very best of Blues, old-style R&B and Roots music each and (almost) every Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET/USA (usually -5 GMT for our global streamers!).

Chick Willis "The Stoop Down Man"
Living Blues Awards 2006:
Best Live Performer

Tonight's show is dedicated to Chick Willis, who reports that he is unable to hug or kiss his fans for a while because his immune system has been weakened in his fight against cancer. We promised him virtual hugs and kisses via music, thus the show is dedicated to the Chick-Man!

We love YOU, Chick! We send just as much love to all our other Blues friends going through health and wellness issues... you stay in our thoughts and prayers daily (see earlier post).

Some of the songs you will hear on Tuesday's program include:

Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy (by birthday request for long time listener Pete: HBD2U, sweet Pete!)

Early Valentine's tribute

(see earlier post about conflict between Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day):

Oh, everything starts all fuzzy-wuzzy and lovey-dovey, doncha know?

Cephas and Wiggins - The Blues Will Do Your Heart Good
Anson Funderburgh - My Heart

Sonny Boy Williamson - I Cross My Heart (from King Biscuit Time - early version)
Sonny Boy Williamson - Cross My Heart (studio version from much later time)
Sugar Boy Crawford - No More Heartaches

But then the clouds start rolling in...

Muddy Waters' Tribute Band - Clouds in My Heart
Willie Dixon - Pain in My Heart
Otis Clay - Piece of My Heart (paying tribute to Janis Joplin, whose birthdate just passed)

Robert Johnson - Drunken Hearted Man
Blind Boy Fuller - Painful Hearted Man
Lonnie Johnson - You Have No Love in Your Heart

It goes from b-a-a-a-a-a-d to worse

Tutu Jones - You Shatter My Heart
Mark and Robben Ford - Heart Breakin' Blues
Chuck Willis - You Broke My Heart

Red Prysock - Crying My Heart Out
John Lee Hooker - Heart Trouble Blues
Marv Ward - Heart of Stone

 But, in the end, you are always ready to give love another try.

The Paladins - Follow Your Heart
Shirley Johnson - Unchain My Heart

Or ARE you?

Janiva Magness - One Heartache Too Late

Blues Moon Radio - fight between Valentine's and Mardi Gras




Valentine's Day can turn the truest heart Blue(s)

The calendar poses a bit of a quandary on the night of the 12th... it is Mardi Gras, and the closest Tuesday to Valentine's Day... but since Mardi Gras falls on the actual Tuesday (ahem, how odd, eh? LOL, since it is Fat Tuesday, it always will) I'm pushing Valentine's Day celebration (or lament, since it is a Blues show, after all - not everyone is happy on that day) ahead by a week.

Also want to pay tribute to Black History Month - but we do that all year long on Blues Moon Radio... the tributes and appreciation of the contributions of the Afrocentric/American music that is Blues is ongoing and deeply embedded in our hearts.

This Tuesday evening's Blues Moon Radio (Feb. 5) has lots of heart... next week we'll have a confunction junction of Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day on the same Tuesday, so I'm getting the jump on love and loss this week... tune in for "Have a Heart - The Blues and You for Valentine's Day - a bit early" - believe me, you will be glad you did. Great songs! Some longing, some lust, some hearts breaking and biting the dust. 6-8 p.m. on WUSC-FM - more details soon in the way of a  playlist.

 Stay true Blues!

Blues Moon Radio Playlist for Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012

The Blues Moon Radio playlist for Tuesday Sept. 25 (6-8 p.m. ET) features our Artist of the Week, Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes. BIO: Booba.

We will also feature many of the contemporary (or recently deceased) Mississippi Hill Country artists to round out our selections. Too late for this year's festival, but put the NMHCBF on your bucket list.

Artists who will be at the Carolina Downhome Blues Festival (Oct 4-6, 2012) will round us out.

Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes -
  Love Like I Wanna
  Rocking Daddy
  Ain't Gonna Worry about Tomorrow
  Hearbroken Man

Paul "Wine" Jones - I'm Gonna Leave 
LINK to obituary in UK Guardian (caution: language alert)
Junior Kimbrough - I Gotta Try You Girl
Big Jack Johnson - You Can Have My Woman

R.L. Burnside -
  Got a Date at Half Past Eight
  Rollin' and Tumblin'
  Goin' Down South (recorded at the Rhythm Room with Bob Corritore)

Jessie Mae Hemphill - Feelin' Good b/w Streamline Train
Lonnie Pitchford - Boogie Chillen

Jack Owens and Bud Spires - Devil Blues
Frank Frost - Just Come On Home b/w My Back Scratcher

Napoleon Strickland - That's the Boogie
Othar Turner and the Afrossippi Allstars - Shimmy She Wobble II b/w Sunu

More surprises to come!  Refresh your screen during the show...

Thank you for tuning in to the Blues Moon, with Clair DeLune, radio show.
Tuesday is Bluesday from 6-8 p.m. ET (-5 GMT) on WUSC-FM (90.5 FM or HD-1 Columbia SC); Itunes (college radio, then WUSC); or at www.wusc.sc.edu then click LISTEN atop the playlist on the right side of the web page. LIKE us on Facebook at Blues Moon Radio and follow us (when we intermittently show up as time allows) on Twitter at BluesMoonRadio.

Blues Moon Radio on hiatus until Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012

Hope you will join us at www.wusc.sc.edu or via your "dial" at 90.5 then.

In the meantime, please feel free to follow the blog and comment/vote for your favorite Blues CDs/artists of 2011 (see earlier blog posts and put your votes in the comments section).