In late 1991, Blues first came to WATD when local musician and Marshfield native Dave Lavoie introduced listeners to “Blues Before Sunrise”, not to be confused with the nationally syndicated program from Chicago with Steve Cushing. David, unaware at the time, that the name was in use, pioneered a nightly blues show from 11pm – 1am with a focus on historic delta and country blues and some Chicago. David, a distant cousin of mine, requested the use of my considerable record collection as the basis for the program.

Early days at the Friday Night Blues Party

Almost immediately, duty called David back to the King Bee Blues Band as bassist after a short hiatus from the band of which he was a founding member. In addition to his work with the band, Dave also played guitar and wrote original blues tunes. While he was gigging on Fridays, the opportunity to host the “Friday Night Blues Party” came my way. That was mid-January 1992. The program had a more post-modern electric focus in those days and the Friday night show still has more of a party vibe. The inception of the long running Tuesday Night Blues Jam at Handlebar Harry’s in Plymouth, which was one of many local events that were pet-projects of Dave’s and also broadcast live here at WATD, required me as a board op back at the station as Dave hosted live. Eventually, the five night duties were shared by David and me for the first three years of the program.

In 1995 Dave left to devote his full energies to his blues band, called Busdriver, a Chicago style band that featured such dedicated emerging talents as Greg “Mighty-Mac” McKenzie on harp and vocals, Darren King on guitar, and “Chug” on drums, and Dave on bass and vocals. Many of these players can still be heard in area bands today.

David now resides in Colorado as does his extended family still playing and loving the blues and sending his regards to all his old friends. His contribution to the blues scene on the South Shore and Boston area was considerable and reverberates today.

The Wide World of Blues was the name I gave the show even before Dave’s departure. The programming philosophy features traditional blues artists as well as a strong focus on contemporary artists. The program also features music from artists with one foot in the blues. From BB King, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy to Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bonnie Raitt, the program blends familiar artists with more obscure musicians in a showcase designed to entertain as well as enlighten. The Wide World of Blues can be heard Monday through Friday nights beginning at 10pm till 2am Monday Through Thursday, and 6am on Friday nights.

Receiving the Mai Cramer Award for excellence in Blues Broadcasting from the New England Blues Society in 2004. So Named for the Queen of Blues Radio in Boston, the late-great host of Blues After Hours on Public Broadcasting. Mai and I shared a special love for the father of the blues, Muddy Waters, shown here painted by Gordon Cowan.

Tune in and listen. Give a call or email. I'll catch you on the airwaves,

Yours Bluely,
Peter Black