It’s been two years and one pandemic.
It’s been two years since I officially re-launched mylifeinconcert.com as podcast in tandem with the blog, which I started over on OpenSalon.com in 2010.
In that time, there have close to 9,000 downloads from folks across the world.
So it is with gratitude that I send a sincere Thank You to all who have listened, including many repeat listeners. I’ve had some truly touching feedback from some of you where the shows, times, and places I am recalling have struck a nerve, in a positive way.
That is one of the best things to have come out of doing this series: some wonderful connections with great new people.
When you sit down in a room, alone, with either a mic or keyboard, and the words start flowing, you’re not sure who will eventually be listening (or reading) or from where. Or if anyone will be.
So, it’s not only gratifying that I have reached an audience but also interesting re: where the audience comes from. Some of the biggest listenerships are from cities and countries that I wouldn’t have anticipated as such, making that happening all the more brilliant. And it’s been incredible to watch the numbers grow.
Here are my Top Five Cities/Metro Regions from the first two years:
- Greater Toronto/Hamilton Area (GTHA), Ontario, Canada (Toronto and region is waaaay out in front of all other cities. I love you, Toronto!)
- São Paulo, Brazil (Also a particularly big set of listeners here, almost double the next several. Love you, São Paulo!)
- London, UK
- (Tie) Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile
Oh, and my hometown of London, Ontario, Canada is #9 on the list. I’ve noticed an uptick of local listeners, especially with the last several podcasts, so thanks homies!
The Top Five Countries Are:
- United States
- Canada
- Brazil
- UK
- Mexico
It must be noted that the USA has more than double the number than most places, except for Canada, but that is more from the sheer population size. The bulk of my listeners come from Canada, South America, and Europe, with the two biggest American markets—New York City and Los Angeles—not all that big and a bit down there on the list. So those who are listening in the USA, please spread the word to other musicfolk.
I do however want to send a shout out to Columbus, Ohio, where I seem to have a strong pocket of dedicated listeners. Thanks peeps!
And the Top Five Podcasts you listened to are:
Later this week I will be releasing the first of two anniversary episodes.
While I originally launched the written blog on OpenSalon.com on June 3, 2010, and celebrate every year on that date with my own mock-up of a favourite album cover—it was the Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers for 2021— I didn’t get around to marking the podcasts’ first anniversary on Feb. 7, 2021.
So, to make up for that, I am going to do two anniversary episodes this year: one coinciding with the podcast launch, and one in June in tandem with the blog’s 12th anniversary.
What I will be doing with these anniversary episodes is selecting gigs from throughout my concertgoing years that are personally significant for me or that I really want to highlight or talk about.
And my first anniversary podcast jumps into 1988 and a gig wherein I had some extraordinary revelations that I have never forgotten.
Join me next time for Episode 23, concert no. 51, and an unforgettable show by Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos at the then-recently—and beautifully—refurbished Fox Theatre in Detroit, on December 8, 1988.
Unexpectedly, and through a bizarre merging of synchronicity and happenstance, I find myself directly in front of Keith, about 10-or-so feet away, for his entire encore. And it results in an epiphany.
I’ll also be writing a full blog entry on the show as a companion piece to the podcast.
Tune in next time for avoiding a strip search at the border, being in agony and the healing power of music, and some realizations about rock stars.
The delayed Beat & REM show from 1983 will be Episode 24.
Next on Stage ==> 51. (EP 23) Connection: Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos, Fox Theatre, Detroit, Michigan, USA, Thursday December 8, 1988
Special Thanks go out to Phil “Special Guests” Robinson, Colin, and Autobahn for taking the time to appear on the podcast. Extra Special Thanks to Cublet for doing all the tech, participating in interviews, and, well, Everything! Xoxo
For those of you who have been listening and enjoying, please spread the word about mylifeinconcert.com. Tell your tunehead friends! Tell your stoner Aunt Susan! Tell the live music junkies in your life! Tell the lady who puts the little plastic robins on the Christmas cakes!
JUST TELL THEM!
In the meantime, stick around as there will be podcasts this year looking back on shows by David Bowie, Laura Nyro, Marianne Faithfull, Police Picnic ’83, John Cale, Flipper, Psychic TV, The Circle Jerks, and more.
See you at the next show. Cheers!
© 2022 Various Artists
