Q for X-Markers - Are the Celts On the Wireless?

[Jack Daw]

Does your community offer Celtic music at any time on the old-fashioned commercial/public radio?

In Houston, we get "Irish Aires" on Saturday evenings on KPFT-FM (90.1FM) between 6:00PM and 7:00 PM CST. That's IT!! In Houston, TX - one of the largest cities in the U.S. - one stinking hour to get our scraps.

I don't have satellite or HD radio...YET. For those that have it, will I be pleased with the choice for Celtic music? Of course, I'm assuming it's offered. I do get Celtic music on Live 365, but that's not convenient enough.

(P.S. - age is creeping up - I had to look up how to spell 'satellite', which I never had to do before.)

[Arlen]

Being in Scotland I get quite a lot.
When I'm in Boise there are a few I listen to on NPR but I can't remember when. (I will ask my wife and PM you.)

However, you can listen to various celtic music shows on http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/ and http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba/ any time you want by listening online.

[canawler]

I don't have satellite or HD radio...YET. For those that have it, will I be pleased with the choice for Celtic music?

If you get XM radio, quite frankly, no. XM does not offer a Celtic channel but ch.76 does shuffle some Celtic songs into the mix. (In fact, it's sort of an interesting mix on that channel at times. You might hear classical, followed by Peter Gabriel, followed by Solas.) Channel 15 (folk music) does a six hour Celtic show Sunday mornings, which is replayed later in the week, but it is strickly traditional folk Celtic and they often drift into some of the more hokey songs you only expect to hear on St. Patrick's Day.
Channel 76 does do a more modern Celtic show that is very good but I always seem to miss it because it's only one hour on Thursday evenings (I think thats when it's on, like I said I always seem to miss it.) I have heard Enter the Haggis, Solas, Loreena McKennitt, etc. on this show.

[auld argonian]

Well, the old standy is:

http://thistleradio.com/

...which may or may not be on in your NPR market.

The MIdnight Special (WFMT, Chicago but also syndicated nationally mostly to classical music stations) does play some but not exclusively. MidSpec has gotten increasingly "folky"...years ago it was a great balance between folk, ethnic, comedy and show tunes.

Other than those and Greg's (Beloitpiper) and one broadcast by the University of Chicago FM station (which has, I think, about a five watt transmitter...range is maybe four city blocks), I can't think of any more.

Best

AA

[canawler]

The MIdnight Special (WFMT, Chicago but also syndicated nationally mostly to classical music stations) does play some but not exclusively. MidSpec has gotten increasingly "folky"...years ago it was a great balance between folk, ethnic, comedy and show tunes.
AA

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I have heard that show on XM as well but it seems to be hard to find. They've moved it around on the schedule. Last I noticed, it was on in the middle of the night on the folk channel 15.

[Jack Daw]

Woe is us. Well canawler, looks like XM may do it for me, unless there's something more on Serius.

[Bludongle]

Up here in Rochester we get the Thistle and Shamrock. Pleasant and dependable.

We also get a nice collection of live "celticly" bent bands at the local pubs, brew houses and the like.

For dependability I use live365 or shoutcast.com for streaming because I like the variation and I am always looking for different music.

If you haven't tried it Pandora is pretty good at what they do even though their selection seems to be a bit thin still.

[Jack Daw]

Up here in Rochester we get the Thistle and Shamrock. Pleasant and dependable.

We also get a nice collection of live "celticly" bent bands at the local pubs, brew houses and the like.

For dependability I use live365 or shoutcast.com for streaming because I like the variation and I am always looking for different music.

If you haven't tried it Pandora is pretty good at what they do even though their selection seems to be a bit thin still.

How much time does Thistle & Shamrock get on the wireless? Is it all day or just an hour?

[Finn]

I think they're hour-long episodes.

[beloitpiper]

Besides my show (during school only) the other show is the Thistle and Shamrock on NPR and occasional Celtic tune on Simply Folk.