JD’s “Prog Variety Show” plays the finest classic and modern Progressive Rock and related music from around the world! Progressive Rock (now called Prog to encompass the many sub-genres) evolved in the late 60’s/early 70’s from Psychedelic music to elevate rock to new levels of artistry. Prog bands, then and now, push rock’s technical and composition boundaries by going beyond the standard rock or popular verse-chorus song based structures. Also, the arrangements often incorporate elements drawn from classical, jazz and world music. Long, multi-dimensional pieces are more common while songs with lyrics are sometimes conceptual, abstract, or based in fantasy. Musically, unusual time signatures are frequent as is orchestration and many ‘movements’ within one song. Prog bands sometimes use “concept albums” to tell an epic story or tackle a grand overarching theme. Progressive Rock sub-genres include Jazz Rock/Fusion, Krautrock, Neo-Prog, Prog Folk, Progressive Electronic, Progressive Metal, Psychedelic/Space Rock and many others, plus Proto-Prog. Check out the following sites for historical info and current releases: Prog Magazine, The Prog Report and Prog Archives . Contact jd@ashevillefm.org to make a request!
Closer to the Edge
Hosted By: JD
Genres: Prog
Related Show Posts
- David Gilmour interview and new album!
September 19th, 2024
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Hear an exclusive excerpt of an interview with the legendary David Gilmour, of Pink Floyd fame, which aired on Closer to the Edge September 12th, and is up for two weeks on our web-site and App! The interview begins at the one hour mark of the archive! Asheville journalist and music historian Bill Kopp did the interview for Spin Magazine, who granted Asheville FM permission to broadcast it across our shows… If you just want to hear the interview, click arrow below. David Gilmour is heading out on a limited tour, supporting the album and also perform his favorite Pink Floyd songs this Fall, in residency’s at only six venues in the world, in Rome, London, New York and Los Angeles! To follow JD and listen to his show, here is the page: Archive Audio Player
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - The Beatles Pop-up celebrates ‘Beatlemania’
December 6th, 2023
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December 10th at 9AM, hosts JD and Joey Books, return for a final Beatles Pop-up! Tune in to hear selections from the NEW Beatles Box-set, “1962-1966 / 1967-1970″, where the famous Red and Blue albums are newly remixed, with 20 additional tracks including their NEW Single, “Now and Then”. Fab Four banter with two DJ’s who were 10 and 12 years old when breakthrough hit, “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” was played in America for the first time, by disc jockey, Carrol James (who arranged for an English flight attendant, to bring the record from London) on December 17th, 1963. A week earlier, Walter Cronkite aired a report on the evening news about the Beatles, triggering Beatlemania, when 15 year old Marsha Albert saw them play “She Loves You” and wrote to local radio station WWDC, asking why they weren’t playing the Beatles. She actually introduced the first spin and the rest is history! Live or archived, don’t miss this special show, anywhere you are in the world, only at: 103.3 Asheville FM
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - Israeli band Neolia, relevant music on Closer to the Edge
November 26th, 2023
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JD presents beautiful, complex, intelligent and relevant music, from bands around the world, on his legendary Prog Variety Show that airs Thursdays from 2-4, only on Asheville FM. Tune in this week to hear a plethora of progressive genres from new releases and a classic 50th anniversary cut from Nektar, “Remember the Future”, PLUS local artist Derek Galarza!!! All shows are archived for playback anytime, via our web site and App. Follow at: Asheville Prog
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - Seven Bands from the Seventies: A classic Thanksgiving!
November 22nd, 2023
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Join the Professor of Prog for two hours of iconic songs from the early seventies, the golden age of Progressive Rock. Hear long classics from Yes, King Crimson, Renaissance, Genesis, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd, PLUS a cut from The Yes Album brand new vinyl, CD, Blu-ray box-set, that offers the original album, rarities, an immersive Atmos remix by Steven Wilson and two previously unreleased live concerts. All this on Thanksgiving Day from 2-4 PM, and archived for playback anytime at Closer to the Edge
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - See the new STONES doc
November 7th, 2023
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November 13th at 7PM is the next Music Movie Monday at the Grail, sponsored by Asheville FM! Local music historian and journalist Bill Kopp will introduce and lead a lively discussion after screening THE STONES & BRIAN JONES, which features revealing interviews and unseen archive released for the first time! This film explores the creative musical genius of Jones and uncovers how the founder of the Stones was left behind in the shadows of history. Watch trailer here: Music Movie Mondays
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - a celebration of LED ZEPPELIN -Two special events!
September 26th, 2023
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MUSIC TO YOUR EARS and MUSIC MOVIE MONDAYS celebrate peak-period Led Zeppelin, in the River Arts District, sponsored by Asheville FM.
On Wednesday October 4th, the Asheville Guitar Bar hosts the latest entry in Bill Kopp’s Music to Your Ears discussion series, featuring Led Zeppelin’s landmark 1973 LP ‘Houses of the Holy’. And on Monday October 9th, Kopp’s Music Movie Monday series at Grail Moviehouse will feature a screening of the Led Zeppelin concert film ‘The Song Remains the Same’, with a discussion to follow. Don’t miss this special opportunity to convene with your fellow rock fans for these two exclusive, interactive evenings.
Visit Asheville Guitar Bar and Grail Moviehouse and listen to 103.3 Asheville FM for free tickets!!!
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - Music Movie Mondays encore
September 15th, 2023
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Special presentation Monday 9/18 at 7PM at the Grail of HAVE YOU GOT IT YET? THE STORY OF SYD BARRETT AND PINK FLOYD with local music journalist and author Bill Kopp, who will again lead an interactive discussion of this NEW documentary. Interviews with David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, The Who’s Pete Townshend and Blur’s Graham Coxon, among many others; with music by Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd.“What the Floyd did, what Syd did, somehow at those few gigs in London, is they defined the whole of that moment in the ‘60s.”– Pete Townshend. “Syd Barrett’s music, with Pink Floyd and as a solo artist, changed everything in pop culture.” – Thurston Moore. “Riveting, poignant, tender, moving and tragic but ultimately inspiring.” – John Squire. Join us!!!. Watch trailer here: TICKETS
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - Local music author Bill Kopp
September 5th, 2023
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On Thursday, JD welcomes Asheville musician, historian and music journalist Bill Kopp for an entertaining two hours of music and conversation! We will discuss Bill’s recent trip to the famed Cavern Club in Liverpool where he performed in a band, on the stage where The Beatles got their start. We’ll also play over a dozen songs related to the new film, “Have you Got it Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd”, a special screening at the Grail Moviehouse this coming Monday. Bill will also give us an update about his latest book! The fun starts at 2 pm and goes 4 pm on Thursday, September 7th. Have your speed-dial ready to call the Studio line, for Ticket giveaways to the film!!! Watch trailer
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - On the next ‘Music to Your Ears’
August 27th, 2023
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Carol King’s iconic album “Tapestry” is one of the greatest singer-songwriter records in music history. And this masterpiece is the next subject of author Bill Kopp’s monthly discussion series ‘Music to Your Ears’! The beautiful Asheville Guitar Bar, is the site of this local music lovers gathering on the first Wednesday of each month. “Tapestry” with special guest Dulci Ellenberger, happens on September 6th at 7 PM and will be a sellout, so arrive early for a seat. Sponsored by Asheville FM, you will “feel the earth move under your feet!”
For all the details, click here: Music to Your Ears
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - TrancEnd: A transcendent performance + interview
August 20th, 2023
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Local Asheville band TrancEnd performed songs from their debut studio album, Lilac plus a cover of ‘Running Up That Hill’ by Kate Bush at Asheville FM studios on Thursday, May 25th, 2023, on legendary Prog show, Closer to the Edge. Watch the entire live performance, plus interview with JD here: Live from AFM studios
Special thanks to Bruce Swan, David Neel, Joey Books, and all the volunteers who helped make this performance a success!
“Seldom do I find a band that is destined for greatness; that has that magic synergy. TrancEnd are a hypnotic mix of genre-bending Prog with strong signature traits, a distinct vocal style, skilled musicianship, dynamic lyrics and stellar production. A sonic and visual experience that transcends the ordinary and pleases the senses.” – JD
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - The Very First Band in Space
July 13th, 2023
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Join JD on July 20th for a far-out episode of Closer to the Edge, on the anniversary of humans landing on the moon, with a special moon/space themed show, performed by bands and artists from around the world! Classic and modern Progressive Rock and related music from Pink Floyd, RED32, Yes, They Watch Us From the Moon, Black Moon Circle, Kavus Torabi & Richard Wileman, The Aaron Clift Experiment, Poh Hock, The Enigma Division, Ruby Dawn, Soft Machine and Rick Armstrong, son of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon! Hear it all on Thursday, July 20th from 2-4 PM, and archived after.
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - TrancEnd perform live in studio!
May 21st, 2023
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Asheville band TrancEnd will play songs from Lilac, their debut album, and a Prog cover, followed by an on-air interview with JD, this Thursday at 3:00 PM… TrancEnd has built a loyal following in the area, frequently playing outdoor festivals and venues in town and around Western North Carolina! This will be their first live radio performance and interview.
Their Bandcamp page states, “Trip-hop meets Electronica meets Groove meets Prog! A perfect blend of 90s Euro-trance history savored in twenty-first century techno-pop. TrancEnd defies the genre labels with their galvanizing auditory epicure of sultry vocals; ambient head-space environments; and surf-shimmer guitars…”
Many famous modern Prog bands and artists, over the years, have incorporated Trip-hop into their albums, including Radiohead, Antimatter, The Flaming Lips, Steven Wilson, Ulver and others. JD recognized The Anchoress in their sound, whose 2021 ‘The Art of Losing’ was voted the number one Prog album in the world by Prog Magazine. So add Art-Rock and Progressive to their genre tags. And listen for yourself, Thurs, May 25th at 3:00 PM, to a local band with international potential! Check out their social media page: TrancEnd
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - Tubular Bells 50th Anniversary Celebration!
May 18th, 2023
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In 1973, the world of popular music changed forever with the release of ‘Tubular Bells’, the first album on Virgin Records. It was two mostly instrumental tracks, composed by 19 year old Mike Oldfield, who played almost all the instruments. Besides the fact it became even more famous as the theme for ‘The Exorcist’, the LP could be heard around the world, usually accompanied by wafts of marijuana smoke billowing from basements, apartments and farmhouses. This golden anniversary recording, is the original epic masterpiece, performed in its entirety by a top session band and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with choir. So, get your best recreational stuff to imbibe, and tune in for Tubular Bells, on the exact anniversary date, Thursday, May 25th at 2PM with your host JD!
“It’s amazing to think that it’s been 50 years since I wrote Tubular Bells, and I am touched that my music has reached so many people all over the world during that time.” – Mike Oldfield
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - Music Movie Mondays
March 20th, 2023
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Asheville FM sponsors ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL at The Grail Moviehouse on Monday, March 27th at 7 PM, AND discussion after with local author and music journalist Bill Kopp! The film is set in 1980 at a High School where the students love of rock ‘n’ roll more than books. The leader of the students is a big Ramones fan and she waits in line for three days to get tickets to see the band, hoping to meet Joey Ramone so she can give him a song she wrote, “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School”. When the Principal takes her ticket away, Riff and her best friend win tickets in a radio contest. After delivering her song to Joey Ramone, the Principal and parents attempt to burn a pile of rock records. In response, the students, joined by the Ramones, overthrow the teachers and take over the school. When the police are summoned, the students burn down the school as a final act of youthful rebellion. Watch the trailer here: Tickets
More Posts for Show: Closer to the Edge - ‘A Wizard, a True Star’ turns 50!
March 7th, 2023
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Todd Rundgren’s groundbreaking Progressive Pop, critically acclaimed fourth album, dropped to earth on March 2nd, 1973; and JD will celebrate by playing the entire record, without interruption, at 2 PM on Thursday, March 9th. Tune in to hear all 19 tracks, that blend together as a stream-of-consciousness experiment in psychedelic infused Pop, Rock, Soul and Show tunes… All written, engineered, produced and performed by Todd Rundgren. It was a radical departure for Todd, and paved the way for his Progressive Rock band, Utopia. Look for the 50th anniversary vinyl reissue next month on Record Store Day
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