The Pennsylvanian is an Amtrak train that rolls 444 miles from New York, through Newark to Philly, and on its way to Pittsburgh. I used to live in Pittsburgh, where I started my career in radio so very last century. A friend of mine, Ed Salamon, just published one of those "Images Of America" series books called "Pittsburgh's Golden Age of Radio." I am humbled to have been included. Pittsburgh is the birthplace of commercial radio, with the FCC granting KDKA a license to operate in 1920. And there used to be magic on the airwaves in Pittsburgh. I haven't been in so long that I can't know for sure, just making the assumption that it isn't now what it used to be. But then, what is? We are in the middle of such a seismic shift, so obvious when you take a train through rust belt towns and see boarded up building bearing graffiti and broken windows; factories and warehouses that used to be serviced by the circulatory system that was once these tracks. And you know things have changed when you get to a place in your own life where you have to explain your resume, as what was once held in esteem no longer even exists! Oh, but the changes we have seen over the last half century. The landscape, the wealth, the industry, the migration to the south from the north. From once thriving communities to rack and ruin. Meth labs and prostitution, and gigantic prisons to accommodate society's losing class.
Matt King posted a train tune on his website on August 16th, "Back To Baltimore." Matt writes about the changes the march of time has brought. And he delivers biting socially commentary, deceptively clothed in an easy to swallow musical pill. Goes down without you even realizing what you are ingesting. Music with a message, what a concept!
There are Texas gigs coming up, catch 'em when you can! The EP Matt King and the Cutters, came out in March. It was recorded old school style to one-inch tape by Vance Powell in Nashville. You will find a Jeff Lynne flavor there to the tune "Rockabye The Cradle," which Music Fog also recorded, during SXSW at Threadgill's in Austin.
- Jessie Scott
