Welcome to Open Tuning

Why subscribe to Open Tuning?

Why subscribe to Open Tuning?

Because two odd bedfellows have it right:

People haven't always been there for me but music always has. - Taylor Swift

Music is life itself – Louis Armstrong

Open Tuning will explore at least two creative endeavors in my life: being a DJ at a freeform radio station (since 1976), and more recently, becoming a songwriter. I’ll share stories about music and musicians that have affected my life with their passion and innovation.

We live now in a world of streaming music (“Everything is free now; they figured it out” – Gillian Welch) Some of us fortunate DJs still operate in a beautiful world of radio programming in which a station's management gives the DJ complete control over program content. Freeform shows are as different as the personalities of DJ's, but they share a feeling of spontaneity, and a tendency to play music that is not always heard. I’ll talk about the history of freeform radio, celebrate some of its heroes, and keep the faith alive for terrestrial radio, which is supported primarily by its listeners. Although freeform radio had its heyday in the sixties and seventies, WE ARE STILL HERE!! I’ll tell you about the earliest shows, and those of us KEEPING THIS PRECIOUS FREEDOM going!

I’ll also share the unusual saga of my own recent musical collaboration that led to a 10-song CD, The Quiver, the debut in 2024 for In These Trees and Tartie. Tartie is a singer/songwriter in Australia, and I’m in Connecticut.

Debut CD from In These Trees and Tartie, "The Quiver" - cover art Scott Shapleigh

Open Tuning may feature audio interviews, book reviews, and juicy recommendations. There will be mini-memoir pieces.

Coming up in my first stack: Some reverence for Joni Mitchell, who has probably influenced my lyric writing the most. And yet, my songs sound nothing like hers! She’s just in my blood (“like holy wine”), along with many other influences that I want to celebrate.