The Brief Music Story of Chel
I’ve always been partial to pop music. I was a bubble gum babe during elementary and middle school. HOWEVER – in high school, I didn’t totally spit out the gum; I just pushed it under my tongue for a bit.

It started with a TV commercial. Let me see what I can remember – an animated image of a record and a ballerina poised high above the vinyl perched on a diamond needle (she might have been the needle) and she moved closer and closer and started spinning around as electric guitars played louder and louder. It was the beginning of album oriented rock station WLVQ-FM, 96.3 in Columbus, Ohio. We call it Q-FM and its slogan is Ohio’s Best Rock. On February 14, 1977, Q-FM started their programming with “New Kid in Town” by the Eagles. I was hooked. Rock on, Chel! This station was also responsible for my introduction to Elton John through a program called the “King Biscuit Flower Hour”. I loved that concert. I started listening to the show every week. The concerts were awesome and there were interviews with the artists. Gee, I sure do wish I had some of those shows archived some way . . . wait a minute . . . look what I found!

On the Computer, Over the Highway, Across the Web and Into the Vault
The Concert Vault is a website at http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/ that has broadcasts from legendary shows such as the “King Biscuit Flower Hour”, the “Bill Graham” archives, “Silver Eagle Cross Country” and “Live at the Record Plant”. Can you say "addictive". This was supposed to be an intense writing week for me, I’m going out of town on Friday and I had it all planned out as to what I would write each day. SCRAP THAT IDEA. The last two days I’ve spent all my writing time on the Concert Vault website exploring and listening to music. Yes, I found that Elton John concert – it soon will be mine for keeps!

The “Free” Part of the Concert Vault
You can listen for free. Really! However, like most music sites and services, you do need to register and create an account for yourself. It’s not hard; they ask for the normal stuff like an email address, your first and last names and you need to create your own password. There is also a note that states “by default” you will receive weekly updates announcing new concert listings added to their vault. Don’t panic, it also says you can unsubscribe from these updates at any time. There’s more! You can listen to the Concert Vault's radio station, there is a forum where you hang out with other music enthusiasts, and you can even build your own playlists.

The Stuff that’s Not Free Is Sort of Free and a Bargain!
The Concert Vault downloads are DRM-free (Digital rights management) and are unrestricted 256k mp3 files. You won’t pay more than $9.98 for a concert download and it’s legal. The Concert Vault is fully licensed by BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC. I’m impressed, part of the Concert Vault’s mission statement is to make sure artists and bands get paid for their talent and performances.

The links for the Concert Vault and for WLVQ-FM are listed below. I have to go listen to more concerts, oops, I mean I have to go write now!

Have a great week!
Chel