Goodnight Buddy Rubbish

Perhaps I'm too sentimental, or overly emotional, in either event it's taken me this long to say goodnight to Lou Roscher aka "Buddy Rubbish." Longtime DJ and personality in the Pioneer Valley, "Buddy" was someone whom you either loved or hated. I had mixed emotions. On one hand, he was the embodiment of the radio theater that I loved, and on another level, I hated his enthusiasm for sports. He kept me company on lonely Friday evenings on Memory Lane , an oldies show on WRSI in Greenfield. He pissed me off when he moved to WRNX for the morning drive and his show sucked because of their playlist. Through it all, I saw the genius that was Buddy. He did radio the way it was meant to be, personable, innovative and smart. He passed on April 11th of this year. I just want to salute him tonight and thank him for making commercial radio acceptable and interesting. WRSI paid tribute to him tonight. Johnny Memphis and Leo T. Baldwin did a great job that I'm sure Buddy would've approved. Remember me Buddy, I once threw an f-bomb at you at a "Transperformance" show in Florence.

"Pierogy Fest," or how I survived Jimmy Sturr

It’s hard to believe that nothing significant has happened up until this weekend in the Valley since the last entry. (Oh sure, there have been court appearances by Jack Robison, the death of radio personality Buddy Rubbish and the first asparagus crop.) But nothing beats the “Pierogy Festival” that starred Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra along with Eddie Forman and His Orchestra (how about calling your band “And His Orchestra”?) this past weekend at the Elks Lodge in West Springfield. Sponsored by “Mrs. T’s Pierogis” (as in “terrible”), this festival celebrating polka’s excesses: terrible food, cheap draft beer and old people hopping around in circles was the entertainment highlight of this spring.

Indeed

You have not lived till you have experienced this genre of music at its best—live. Not necessarily the music either, but rather the fan base—the really old fan base. Dancing to polka music is the real show, whether the couples are hopping around in circles, or holding onto each for life. Within that spectrum there are many variations on the polka dance.

Better than "Dancing with the Celebrities"

Both bands have hard-core fans and their own tribal dances which are bewildering and entertaining.

What you would call a "polka slut"

Jimmy Sturr constantly touted his Grammy wins and collaborations with Willie Nelson (leading up to my confrontation with him, when I asked if he smoked weed with the Willie, he smiled and pretended to punch me in the mouth!), and Eddie Forman worked the crowd with regional ties and dance moves all to his following.

Let us not forget that I was lured to this event with the singular pursuit of pierogis, and it was advertised as a “Pierogy Fest.”

This was yucky!

In fact, the “Mrs. T’s Pierogis” sponsored fest was a complete letdown and false advertisement. Anyone who has supped on these atrocious doughy pieces of shit will attest to the fact—these are not edible. Neither was the kielbasa or sauerkraut or hamburgers offered. But, thank you to all the colorful folks and the polka slut for making this event worthwhile!