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‘Close to the Edge’ at 50!

‘Close to the Edge’ at 50!

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Yes released the greatest Progressive Rock album of all time, on September 13, 1972 via Atlantic Records. ‘Close to the Edge’ is three songs long, the title track taking up the entirety of side one. Many live performances, re-releases, remixes, remasters and reissues later, it is still at the top of the heap, an iconic and influential 70’s progressive rock album, with themes and lyrics inspired by the Herman Hesse novel Siddhartha. Many modern Prog bands and artists site this album as a profound inspiration. Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford and Chris Squire, spent five months in recording sessions they later described as “climbing Mount Everest”. The album’s centerpiece is the 18+ minute, four part epic, Close to the Edge. JD will play the definitive Steven Wilson remix of this song, on Thursday at 2 PM, on 103.3 Asheville FM and our new APP!!! This fall, Yes kicks off the Close to the Edge 50th Anniversary Tour in the United States, playing the album in it’s entirety, along with other Yes classics.


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** Mark Casson** of “The Cheeksters” – Live on 103.3 Asheville FM – Positive Vibes’ Early Morning Music Sessions – Tuesday, Sept. 13th from 9-10a * / www.ashevillefm.org

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Join DJSmittymon this week as he welcomes local Asheville singer / songwriter..  Mark Casson for a live performance and talk on the Positive Vibes’ Early Morning Music Sessions..  happening this Tuesday, Sept. 13th – starts around 9am..  tune in – turn it up..  enjoy…   smittymon

The Cheeksters have a show at the Grey Eagle (patio stage) this Saturday, Sept 17th –  starts around 6pm..

The Cheeksters were formed in 1990 soon after Mark and Shannon met by chance on a train in London, England. Mark hails from the UK, while Shannon was born and raised in Tennessee.

They started performing music together as a duo with Mark on guitar and vocals and Shannon playing bass guitar. They soon released their debut album “Stranger Things Have Happened” in 1992, followed by “Hey, What’s Your Style ?” in 1994.

The couple relocated to Nashville in 1996 and began working with producer Brent Little at his all-analog studio where they have recorded four critically acclaimed albums: “Skating On The Cusp” (1999) “Nineteen Sixty-Five” (2005) “Movers and Shakers” (2007) “The Golden Birds” (2011).

Over the years, The Cheeksters have performed extensively in the Southeast US, as well as showcasing their talents in NYC and London.

The Cheeksters combine the best of what made music great in the 1960’s and 70’s with a winning fresh pop approach that delights audiences.  In the studio the group has produced six albums of timeless, tuneful, terrific pop that has real staying power

Onstage the versatile five-piece bands turns out its catchy pop confections, bringing to mind a swirling variety of influences including Memphis soul and Carnaby Street pop.  They somehow manage to channel Burt Bacharach / Hal David, Dusty Springfield’s diva soul, T-Rex’s manic boogie and the pomp of David Bowie often in the same song without sounding derivative

The current line-up has performed together for the past ten years and is made up of Mark Casson (vocals, guitar, piano, bass), Shannon Hines Casson (vocals, bass guitar, piano), Jay Moye (piano, guitar), Je Widenhouse (trumpet) and Mike Baker (drums)

The Cheeksters Info:

@thecheeksters

https://cheeksters.com/

 

Positive Vibes’ Early Morning Music Sessions

Tuesdays 8-10am / 103.3 FM / @103.3ashevillefm

streaming globally at www.ashevillefm.org !!


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Radio Active Kids September 10! Interview with Brighter Light Brigade!

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We’ve got another top-notch show this week on Radio Active Kids! We interview Brighter Light Brigade and play selections from BOTH their new EPs! Can’t wait!!! Also, new songs by Sharon and Bram, Randy Kaplan, Howdytoons, 3 O’Clock Rock Records, Mama B, & Musiquita! Also, older tunes by MONEDITA DE ORO (RIP Juan Monedita ????), #KindianaJones, The Blibbering Humdingers & Un Recreo Fantastico/La Bollito Band! 8-10am ET Saturday at ashevillefm.org/show/radio-active-kids or tun.in/pjiei & podcasting at mixcloud.com/Radio_Active_Kids!


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A new COVID booster that targets the latest virus strains

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WASHINGTON, DC – September 1, 2022 – The Food & Drug Administration approved emergency authorization for a new COVID booster on August 31st and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention ratified it the following day. The vaccine is bivalent, which means that it targets 2 versions of the COVID virus, the original virus and the new dominant BA.4 and BA.5 variants. The BA.5 strain accounts for almost 90% of all COVID infections in the U.S. The remainder of U.S. infections are due to the BA.4 strain. Eligible persons 12 years old and up can have the Pfizer-BioNTech booster while eligible people 18 years and up can have the new Moderna vaccine. They must be at least 2 months after any prior COVID-19 shots and have had the full primary vaccination series. The CDC advises that people who recently had COVID consider delaying their boosters until 3 months after their symptoms started or after their positive COVID test if they were asymptomatic.

Targeting the most recent virus strains has been the approach taken by the annual flu shot. Flu shots are updated every year. This approach has been proven effective at reducing illness. It is hope that the new COVID-19 booster will boost the level of antibodies to protective levels while reducing the risk of new infections and long COVID. The original boosters have been shown to continue to reduce the risk of severe illness and death due to infections from the newer strains. They were more effective against preventing infections before the virus began to form newer strains and then has lost some of its effectiveness. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said via a statement on August 30th, “the updated Covid-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating Covid-19 variant. They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants.” It takes between 1 to 2 weeks after you get the booster for the antibodies to rise significantly.

This new booster will replace the previous booster shot that had targeted only the original version of the virus. However, the original vaccine will still be used for persons who have not received the full primary vaccination series.

It is very important that permission for emergency authorization be obtained before a presumed fall surge of cases as seen with the flu and frequently with many other viral respiratory diseases. The drug companies took less than 3 months to modify the original vaccine to be more specific for the newer viral strains. This is an advantage of vaccines produced from mRNA technology. They can be modified over a shorter time period than vaccines derived from the older technology.

All previous COVID vaccines have been underwritten by the federal government so they are free to everyone that wanted one. The government is soon to run out of money to cover the cost of the vaccination because there has been no extension authorized by Congress. It is likely that starting in January 2023, people will have to pay for the vaccines; therefore, introducing a potential development of disparities in treatment based on the ability to pay. Dr Richard Besser, president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, remarks ”one’s ability to pay for a vaccine should not determine whether or not someone receives a vaccine.”

The booster shots will be available after Labor Day. The  federal government has purchased 171 million doses. Pharmacies, community health centers and rural health clinics have been allowed to pre-order the shots from the federal government. Many have begun to schedule appointments for booster administration in addition to the primary vaccination series.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


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The Buncombe County COVID-19 Weekly Update: Remains at Low Transmission Level, 30% of North Carolina Counties are at a High Level

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ASHEVILLE, NC – September 07, 2022 – Here is this week’s Buncombe County COVID-19 update.

The CDC reports that the transmission level for Buncombe County is low for the week ending August 31st. Most of North Carolina is low or medium although 30 out of 100 counties are at a high transmission level. Most of the counties in the U.S. are at a low or medium level with only 26% of the counties at a high level. For a community at a low transmission level, the CDC recommends:

  • You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.
  • If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and take additional precautions.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on August 27th indicate:

  • There have been 132 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days down 11% from 149 cases in the previous week.
  • 67% of the total population have received their full primary vaccination series. Unchanged for the past 4 weeks.
  • 66% of people with their full primary vaccination series have had at least one booster. This is unchanged over the past 2 weeks.
  • The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 67 and has decreased by 2 since last week, and of ICU patients is 6 and has decreased by 3 since the previous week.
  • Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning before individual testing shows that COVID-19 is spreading. The state dashboard reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load for Buncombe County is moderately decreasing for the time period ending August 24th. The CDC website reports that the 15-day rate of change of viral load is moderately increasing for the time period ending August 29th.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

  • Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
  • People with any COVID symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID should get tested
  • People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.

Save your face masks:

  • The risk level may rise with a new variant
  • A person at high risk for severe illness should speak with their health care provider
  • Persons with a positive test, having symptoms, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should protect themselves and others by wearing a mask.
  • Effective May 4, 2022, the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services and the CDC recommend wearing masks in health care and long-term care settings. The N95 or KN95 mask offers the best protection. Wear a mask that is well-fitting.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


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Soul of the Blues

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Announcing the blues have just entered the building! And you can enter the blues by tuning in the Blueshound this Thursday from 12-2pm on AshevilleFM! Listen live at 103.3fm or stream it live and anytime you want for 2 weeks after is airs at ashevillefm.org! Got some new music for ya from Chicago artists Jeff Dale and also Derrick Procell! You’ll hear Delta blues from both Jhett Black and Jimmy “Duck” Holmes! How about some live tracks from Mr. Superharp himself, James Cotton? Or, the fine guitar work of Debbie Davies and blues from Muddy’s son Big Bill Morganfield! The Notcho’ Blues Artist this week is the late John Prine! Join the Blueshound on Soul of the Blues for two hours of mind taming, butt flaming blues, baby! We’re gonna step into some blues!


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