Music as a Uniting Force

When I was a kid in the early 1960s, I thought it was so cool that, late at night, I could pick up out-of-town stations on my AM radio. I'd listen all night, here in Cleveland Heights, to songs that were regional rock hits – there really were such things back then – in cities like Boston (WBZ), Chicago (WCFL) and Buffalo (WKBW), and country music from places like Wheeling (WWVA).

Now, of course, anyone, with a computer can listen to radio stations anywhere in the world from practically anywhere in the world. Still, when I listen to the gentle sounds of Jim Blum's folk music show Folk Alley on weekend nights, broadcast from Kent’s WKSU-FM 89.7, either on my radio or my computer, it's hard to imagine that someone in the middle of a war half way around the world might be listening to the same thing at the same time. But here is an e-mail exchange that Blum recently shared:

Mr. Blum,

Just wanted to let you know that I was listening to your program on the evening of September 12th and you welcomed listeners from afar. As I was listening online from Iraq, your welcome really struck home. I'm on my second tour here, the commander of an infantry company, and I can't tell you how much your program helps me feel connected to home and the sane world. When I lived in Brunswick, I listened as often as I could, and now that I'm here, hearing your show lets me escape for a little while, at least in my mind. Thanks.

Captain Bruce Baltis [… serving in Iraq]

Bruce,

When I go through the long list of station IDs every hour and I close with WKSU.org – suddenly in my mind I imagine someone listening from very far away. As diverse as our folk music mix is, all the different artists and styles share something. That something is the ability to inspire, to stir, and to connect. You may not know it, and though we've never met, you are offering peace and sanity and connection in return, to me... to all of us, in every country.

Jim

Music really is a uniting force. That's why I like to listen to it and feel lucky to be able to create it at times. It’s difficult to know whom it might affect, or where or when or how. Or how music that is so gentle could have so much power.

From Cool Cleveland contributor David Budin popcyclesATsbcglobal.net

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