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**wooclosmercob** · 08-12-2009, 09:31 PM

I think you guys are missing the point a little bit about what exactly a CBC host's purpose and responsibilities are. The host is a liason between the music they are presenting and the general listenership of the CBC. In that respect, interviewing talent, genuine inquisitiveness and professionalism on the mic are probably more important qualities to have as a host than being a great historian or a great musician.

What I'm trying to say is... there's something about a show like Hot Air that really should be about grabbing the neophyte listener and bringing them into our world, for a minute. Its pretty tough to be a musician's insider and interview a colleague and not have half the interview go completely over the heads of the general listenership.

"So, Jared, could you tell me a bit about how you developed those pentatonic permutations on the diminished axis that you were playing on that recording there...),

Or if not over their heads, then perhaps a bit inauthentic...

"OK, Steve, I'm going to ask you this question now even though I already know the answer, because I've known you for 15 years and we just played a gig together last Thursday... er... is that a Super Balanced Action?"

Is it counter-intuitive to say that somebody who doesn't know as much is the best person to interview anybody? Doesn't that make at least a little sense? Michael Enright has been doing it for years.

In my opinion, Margaret Gallagher isn't going to be just "OK"... I actually think she's going to be great. I had never met her before she interviewed me for her audition, but she came in talking about the latest local jazz releases, her questions demonstrated some passion for and knowledge of the music, but she retained that almost naive inquisitiveness that I think a great interviewer kind of needs to make the interview mean anything.

Of course I don't mean any disrespect to my friends who interviewed for the gig... I thought they all did a great job and any of them could have easily been chosen and would do a great job. But I have absolutely no problem with Margaret Gallagher as a host. Its not a dumbing-down of anything. Lets all just be glad that Hot Air still exists.

08-12-2009, 09:31 PM	#24
wooclosmercob Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 457 Senior Member	I think you guys are missing the point a little bit about what exactly a CBC host's purpose and responsibilities are. The host is a liason between the music they are presenting and the general listenership of the CBC. In that respect, interviewing talent, genuine inquisitiveness and professionalism on the mic are probably more important qualities to have as a host than being a great historian or a great musician. What I'm trying to say is... there's something about a show like Hot Air that really should be about grabbing the neophyte listener and bringing them into our world, for a minute. Its pretty tough to be a musician's insider and interview a colleague and not have half the interview go completely over the heads of the general listenership. "So, Jared, could you tell me a bit about how you developed those pentatonic permutations on the diminished axis that you were playing on that recording there...), Or if not over their heads, then perhaps a bit inauthentic... "OK, Steve, I'm going to ask you this question now even though I already know the answer, because I've known you for 15 years and we just played a gig together last Thursday... er... is that a Super Balanced Action?" Is it counter-intuitive to say that somebody who doesn't know as much is the best person to interview anybody? Doesn't that make at least a little sense? Michael Enright has been doing it for years. In my opinion, Margaret Gallagher isn't going to be just "OK"... I actually think she's going to be great. I had never met her before she interviewed me for her audition, but she came in talking about the latest local jazz releases, her questions demonstrated some passion for and knowledge of the music, but she retained that almost naive inquisitiveness that I think a great interviewer kind of needs to make the interview mean anything. Of course I don't mean any disrespect to my friends who interviewed for the gig... I thought they all did a great job and any of them could have easily been chosen and would do a great job. But I have absolutely no problem with Margaret Gallagher as a host. Its not a dumbing-down of anything. Lets all just be glad that Hot Air still exists.
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