recent programs
P.F. Sloan Listen Listen Listen
Songwriter P.F. Sloan will be Gary Calamar's special guest during the 11 o'clock hour. The gifted, but troubled songwriter, who wrote such classic 60's hits as Eve of Destruction, Secret Agent Man and You Baby, has just released a new CD on Hightone Records. Sailover contains several of his old classics plus some new songs that are as good as anything he has ever done. Guests on the album include Frank Black, Lucinda Williams and Buddy Miller.

Aired Sunday, September 24, 2006. [MORE]

Ben Vaughn Listen Listen Listen
Ben Vaughn is the man behind the music in the television shows 3rd Rock from the Sun, That '70s Show, Men Behaving Badly and Grounded for Life. He's also provided scores for several films (Psycho Beach Party, The Independent, Scorpion Spring) . As a producer, he's worked with Memphis rockabilly legend Charlie Feathers, Fort Worth gospel saxophonist Vernard Johnson, Muscle Shoals country soul singer Arthur Alexander, as well as Ween, Los Straitjackets and the Swingerssoundtrack CD. His new CD, Designs in Music, a vibrant snapshot of instrumental music's past, present and future, takes Easy Listening in a new direction. Tonight, from 11-midnight, music and conversation with DJ Ben Vaughn.

Aired Sunday, July 16, 2006. [MORE]

Grant Lee Phillips Listen Listen Listen
One of the most accomplished songwriters of his generation, Grant-Lee Phillips matches poetic introspection with a visceral undercurrent of uncertainty and wonder. His new album, "nineteeneightees" is culled from the era that brought us Reganomics, frozen yogurt and dayglow, features eleven tracks which generally represent the most influential songs and artists of his formative years. Featuring semi-acoustic renderings of cult classics by The Pixies, Joy Division, REM, The Cure, Robyn Hitchcock, The Church, Nick Cave, New Order, Echo And The Bunnymen and The Smiths, "nineteeneightees" exhumes an age whose underground music has long outlasted the more popular songs of its airwaves.
Aired Sunday, June 25, 2006. [MORE]

Dave Alvin Listen Listen Listen
The Grammy award winner's new cd "West of the West" is his tribute to the songs and songwriters of California. It's the fourth-generation Californian's latest excursion into the sounds and history of his home state, continuing the high standard he set with King of California and Blackjack David.
Aired Sunday, June 18, 2006. [MORE]

Girl Groups of the 60's Listen Listen Listen
The Open Road celebrates Thanksgiving with a special honoring the girl groups of the 60's. Gary Calamar's special guests include Jackie DeShannon (Needles and Pins) and Evie Sands (I Can't Let Go). Also on hand will be Sheryl Farber, producer of the new Rhino Records Box Set One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found, which features music ranging from The Shangri La's and Carole King to Dolly Parton and Cher. (10pm)

Aired Sunday, November 27, 2005. [MORE]

Thomas Newman Listen Listen Listen
From American Beauty to Finding Nemo, Thomas Newman is one of the the most creative and successful of film music's new generation of composers. His latest work is the score to the new Ron Howard film Cinderella Man. The acclaimed film composer Thomas Newman joins us on The Open Road at 10pm.

Aired Sunday, September 18, 2005. [MORE]

Danny Elfman Listen Listen
Join Gary Calamar on The Open Road with hisspecial guest, film composer Danny Elfman. Danny will talk about his latest score, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, as well as his career in music.
Aired Sunday, August 28, 2005. [MORE]

Petra Haden and Mike Watt Listen Listen
Special guests Petra Haden and Mike Watt play songs and discuss Petra's new cd: Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out. It is the latest chapter in the always provocative, often unpredictable yet never less than fascinating musical career of Ms. Haden. The impetus for the project came from her friend, bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose), who suggested that she attempt to re-imagine this classic Who album a capella. The final result is a technical tour de force that highlights The Who's own achievement, bringing all the elements of chorale music, vaudevillian schmaltz and Renaissance chamber ensemble playing powerfully to the fore.
Aired Sunday, June 19, 2005. [MORE]

Lalo Schifrin Listen Listen Listen
Legendary film and television composer Lalo Schifrin joins Gary Calamar on the Open Road. His credits range from the original Mission Impossible theme, tothe classic films Enter The Dragon, Dirty Harry, Cool Hand Luke, and The Cincinnati Kid. His latest score is from the new movie After The Sunset.


Aired Sunday, November 14, 2004. [MORE]

Van Dyke Parks, David Leaf and Brian Wilson Listen Listen Listen
Delve into the music and mythology of Brian Wilson's SMiLE with award-winning writer/producer/director and Beach Boy historian David Leaf. Leaf will discuss his most recent project "Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE" which airs on Showtime, October 5th. The documentary coincides with the release of the legendary, unreleased follow up to Pet Sounds -- 37 years in the making: SMiLE (on Nonesuch Records). Recently Brian Wilson performed the complete SMiLE album in the UK to rave reviews and performs "his teenage symphony to God." at Disney Hall in Los Angels on November 2 and 3.


Aired Sunday, October 3, 2004. [MORE]

Remembering Elmer Bernstein Listen Listen Listen
In an encore interview, Gary Calamar remembers legendary film composer Elmer Bernstein, who passed away on Thursday at age 82. (This interview was originally broadcast on May 6, 2001)

Aired Sunday, August 22, 2004. [MORE]

Tenacious D Listen Listen Listen
Jack Black and Kyle Gass aka Tenacious D, will join Gary Calamar as guest dj's on The Open Road for some rockin good holiday fun at 10pm.The acoustic metal comedy duo are performing at a benefit show for democratic nominee John Kerry at the Knitting Factory on June 6. Concerts for Kerry. It promises to be a memorable memorial day show.


Aired Sunday, May 30, 2004. [MORE]

The Zombies Listen Listen
The Zombies' Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone will be Gary Calamar's special guests at 9:00 pm. The founding members of the classic British Invasion band have reformed and just finished recording a new album. KCRW Presents their upcoming show at the Key Club in Hollywood on Friday February 27.
Aside from the Beatles and perhaps the Beach Boys , no mid-'60s rock group wrote melodies as gorgeous as those of the Zombies. Dominated by Colin Blunstone's breathy vocals, choral backup harmonies, and Rod Argent's shining jazz- and classical-influenced organ and piano, the band sounded utterly unique for their era. Indeed, their material, with unexpected shifts from major to minor keys -- was perhaps too adventurous for the singles market. To this day, they're known primarily for their three big hit singles, "She's Not There" (1964), "Tell Her No" (1965), and "Time of the Season" (1969).


Aired Sunday, February 22, 2004. [MORE]

Tom Jones Listen Listen
Tom Jones ("The Voice") became one of the most popular vocalists to emerge from the British Invasion. Since the mid-'60s, Jones has sung nearly everyform of popular music -- pop, rock, blues, r&b, show tunes, country, dance and techno, he's sung it all.

His prodigious vocal power and endearing charisma have sustained his popularity for nearly 40 years. Now a new generation of fans has discovered him through his animated image seducing Marge Simpson on TheSimpsons, the stunning international success of his 1999 album Reload (which went to #1 in the U.K. and throughout Europe) and its updated 2003 American version Reloaded: Greatest Hits. The new release features classics like "It's Not Unusual", "Delilah" and "Thunderball" as well as collaborations with the likes of Portishead, The Cardigans, The Stereophonics, and Wyclef Jean.


Aired Sunday, December 21, 2003. [MORE]

Stew Listen Listen
Stew, leader of The Negro Problem, will be Gary Calamar's special guest DJ, this Sunday, November 16th on The Open Road in the 10:00 hour. The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter has just released a new solo album "Something Deeper Than These Changes". He will be playing some of his personal favorites, as well as discussing his latest projects including the upcoming Johnny Cash Tribute at the Getty Museum, and his new venture, "Songportraits by Stew." It promises to be a stew-pendous hour of radio.
Aired Sunday, November 16, 2003. [MORE]

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