102.9 The Buzz Interviews

Interview With…

Aljon Go of The Local Buzz

We hadn’t interviewed the host of The Local Buzz in quite some time and we thought it would be cool to catch up with him and see what he’s up to and what he thinks of the vitriol that was recently spouted on message boards and blogs around town over the Local Buzz Awards nomination and voting processes. Here’s what’s going on in the life of Aljon Go.

Most people know you now as the host of The Local Buzz but your work with local acts goes back to your days as host of The Nashville Tapes on 103.3 when it was still a rock station. How do the two situations compare and what are some of your favorite memories from 103.3?

Actually I started playing local rock in 1994 on 91.7-fm in Clarksville before KDF. There are many great moments from both KDF and The BUZZ. Looking back, I feel that the KDF of the mid-90’s (The Cutting Edge of Rock) felt more renegade and irreverent. Maybe because I was younger and really excited to even work at the station I grew up listening to. Our then Program Director Kidd Redd was brilliant and I learned a lot from him and mentors like Joe Elvis and Sherri Sexton. I respected them and in turn they took me under their wing, in a matter of speaking. Other than the fact that the KDF broadcast studio was larger than the current Buzz studio. KDF had been almost a legacy rock station and had years of experience in this market. (KDF’s “Rock N’ Roll” sticker was even prominently placed in Howard Stern’s film “Private Parts.”) I believe the BUZZ, especially now, is expanding on KDF’s format with a great musical format and fresh sound. Like the KDF of old the BUZZ supports local rock and is actively finding ways to integrate local music in the weekly rotation. KDF made bands and in turn it put the station on the map for being groundbreaking. I think you will find that the BUZZ will be stepping it up and getting the industry to notice all of this great rockin’ talent!

As far as a favorite moment is concerned there are many from the old KDF days. I’ll never forget my first time hosting my first air-shift at KDF. While I was at the company Christmas party our program director asked me if I was ready to do an air-shift. Of course I said YES! He then said, “Great! You’re going on TONIGHT!” Needless to say I freaked out. I was really nervous the first time out introducing Marilyn Manson, but after that first shift the jitters started to fade. I’ll never forget how nervous I was! I also enjoyed preparing the news for Big Dave and the Dook morning show. They were a blast to work with!

You do a lot of charity work for kidney research. Please give us some background on that and how you got involved.

I have always tried my best to give back to the community, whether it is doing a benefit for Rock the Vote, Clarksville Cares, Susan B. Komen, church or cultural organizations. As some people know my wife and sister-in-law were born with a very rare and degenerative kidney disease. They were miracle babies as most infants with their complications do not survive. The lived all their lives taking medication and under medical care. Several years ago while I was playing guitar for The Everafters my wife fell tragically ill and was hospitalized. After having severe complications with dialysis and near death a friend volunteered to donate her kidney to her. Unfortunately I was not a match for my wife but her friend was. Several weeks later she underwent the transplant. Today my wife and I support The National Kidney Foundation and the local chapter. We urge people to become organ donors and educate themselves to the dangers of kidney disease, both genetic and preventable. When I was thinking of a way to show our gratitude for our friend and the cause of organ donation and kidney disease I reached out to the National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee and have worked with them to raise funds for projects and education. They are a great cause and help many people. My wife and I just want to do our part and draw some MUCH NEEDED ATTENTION to this world-wide issue.

Here are some facts: One in nine American adults - more than 20 million -- have kidney disease, and most don't know it. More than 20 million others are at risk for kidney disease. More than 5,100 Tennessee's have kidney failure and must undergo dialysis treatments, three times a week in order to live. 1,100 Kidney patients in Tennessee are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. LINK: www.nkfmdtn.org. Take a moment to sign the back of your license and become an organ donor. Save a life.

Your old band MINK, toured the world and performed many shows for soldiers overseas. What was that experience like and what did you learn from it? Any chance of a MINK reunion in the future?

It was the most exciting and humbling experience a musician could have. We were on tour both pre and post 9/11. In fact we were even setting up for a show in Bahrain when the Towers fell. I’ll never forget that day. Every day on those tours was a learning experience and a lot of work. Getting to know all the soldiers and experience a day-in-the-life was special. Being overseas and learning about all the cultures, mingling with the natives and eating the food was amazing! I learned how small the world was really becoming. You hear the expression that people are the same wherever you go – and it’s true. You also get a profound respect for the troops and the United States. I hate to get sappy, but every time I see footage of the war or visits to the troops on t.v. I think back to the weeks I spent on those tours. They are some of the most vivid memories I have and I won’t soon forget them. There are plenty of stories I could get into, but that will have to wait for another interview.

As far as a MINK (www.myspace.com/minkband) reunion is concerned… the guys in the band reunited briefly twice in 2006 with guest vocalists like Kirsten Davis, Krystel and Rachel Young. After our last quazi-reunion the guys decided to call it a day. We had a great run, but everyone is into their respective projects: Henry with Former, Johannes with Ligion, Andy with his club and myself with Jaux King, JonesWorld and my cover band Mister Happy. I don’t think we will ever reunite with our old singer Jonda, You’d have to pay us some big money to get the whole band back together. I don’t see it ever happening.

The recent Local Buzz Awards happened at The Rutledge. For those of us who had to work (dammit) tell us about that night.

The 3^rd Annual Local Buzz Rock Awards ended up being a great fund-raiser for The National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee! There was a huge silent auction of band merch and one-of-a-kind memorabilia from most of the nominees. There were even a few guitars up for auction as well! As in years past I did all the planning and booking myself. I was able to enlist Producer Anna, my wife Kristen and several others to help out with some of the other details and that was a HUGE help! The club was packed and there was this warm vibe during the whole night. People that did attend can attest that it was a very magical night for local rock. All the performances were on point and FIREPIT FRIDAY (www.firepitfriday.com) was able to get tons of backstage V.I.P. room footage of the show. I think the picture that Ron and Melissa took of the night speak for themselves (www.myspace.com/localbuzz).

In the weeks leading up to the Local Buzz Awards, there was a fan voting section online. The categorization and addition/deletion of some artists was questioned by a number of people. You even received some vitriol from a few rock fans via blogs and message boards. What would you like to say from your side of the fence?

Good question. Fact is that every year I have to take in consideration the number of submissions and relevant categories. For example during the first award show there was a slew of alt./singer-songwriter artists both male and female. The following year there were hardly any. The following year there were plenty of “jam bands.” This year I created a “Left of Center” category that combined genres that are a bit out of bounds for conventional commercial radio. I did happen to explain all of this on the Local Buzz blog, but it seems that the people who make posts and criticize my decisions don’t do a good job following up. I take it all in stride. You can’t please everyone. I remain positive about the scene and take a very pro-active stance. If more of those people who make a habit of throwing stones and bitching about the scene would do something pro-active and make a difference we would get one step closer to getting the respect we all deserve. If the detractors want they can start their own award show and subsidize it themselves. I’m not holding them back one bit – the more the merrier.

In regards to the previous question, is there any act that was left off of the awards voting that you disagreed with?

I don’t believe so. I have a hand, along with the Local Buzz panel in nominating the bands and sorting submissions. This year it was pretty difficult narrowing the filed of nominees since there were so many great submissions. When it comes to the actual winners of the industry section I only vote in case of a tie. Over the past three award shows there were very clear cut winners so I never have to vote. As far as the fan voting section is concerned the fans spoke. I just wanted the show to have a very interactive feel about it, as well as draw some web traffic to our myspace page. It worked well to say the least.

You’ve been playing local bands via the radio for quite a long time. With some of the harping and whining that can go on from time to time, do you ever feel like saying ‘screw it’ and giving it up? What keeps you in it?

Harping and whining from who? Not me (laughs). I’ve gotten used to the criticisms – good and bad. I will say that if the show was bad I wouldn’t be chatting with you right now. The show is popular, not only amongst the scene but with the BUZZ listeners and casual music fans. I don’t do the show for the money I do it because I love the scene and the bands and fans that want to elevate what this scene is really all about – spreading the love. Of course there are times when I feel like giving up, but I believe the show makes a difference and I think what you and I do make a difference.

It seems like the Buzz is going through a revolving door of deejays lately with people being let go and new ones coming in. What is the reason for this and can we expect to keep hearing you on the airwaves in the future?

Like any other industry if there is a change of guard at the top others are sure to follow. In gaining a new Program Director we have a new vision for the station – ‘nuff said. Troy is a great boss. He is also a fan of the Local Buzz and looks to integrate more Local Buzz music in the playlist. As far as hearing more of me, I think doing the Buzz Around Town and Local Buzz is quite enough for me. If that changes you’ll be the third to know.

Word Association: We give you a word/name and you tell us what crosses your mind:

MINK – Rest in peace.
Andy Aquino – Not blood related AT ALL.
Horhey – Shouldn’t he spell his name with a J? That’s what happens when you let gringos stick their hands up your ass.
Bigdaddy – Great hair and even nicer dude!
Ligion – “On the Way…” Now I’ll be singing that hook all day. Class act very pro guys. I wish them all the best!
Framing Hanley – Are they old enough to even drink? (Laughs) I tease Nixon every time I see him about that. They are very humble and mega-talented.
Skullkin – Broke up. That’s too bad since they were able to do that killer Gibson Guitar commercial last year. I think they were unique to this scene. Why did you ask me about them? Have they been talking smack?
Message Boards – They are THE BEST EVER! Can you sense the sarcasm? I think they are fine for intelligent discussions. You just have to watch out for those damn pot-stirrers.
Dagwood – Loves Krystal – really. PLUS a really good drinking buddy!
Kristen – If you are referring to my wife – I love her. She is THE BEST! A true rocker-chic who puts up with my crap!
Cannery – Big ass venue. Miss the old days though.
Big Steve – The MAN! Little known fact - loves tea and biscuits with his cigarettes!
Steve Dickert – Never “dicked” me over – really. He was always kind to me. First-class.

1. The Last of Aljon Go:

You recently started playing guitar/keyboards for your former Everafters bandmate Jaux King. How is that going and will there be an album on the horizon?

Playing in a band with Jaux (www.jauxking.com) is great. He is a great songwriter and brilliant frontman. In forming the Everafters it was a breath of fresh air and a great post-Mink experience. This time out with Jaux it’s very low-stress and liberating to come in and just rock out. Jaux is currently in the studio recording an EP as well as other projects. I look forward to our next show and kicking ass on stage!

Your Soapbox: Anything you’d like to bitch about?

Okay… BANDS, please stop taking pictures on train tracks – PLEASE! Press-kits do not mean scribbling your bands contact info on a cocktail napkin. Would you submit your resume on a napkin? I think not. If you do you have real problems. BANDS, do research on engineers and so-called producers before spending money on them. Listen to some of our core Local Buzz artists and ask them where they recorded. Chances are that by recording a reputable place your recording will sound good enough for some airplay. Lastly a quick list: BE HUMBLE, work on the quality of songs – not quantity and don’t have a family member manage your band. End transmission.

Aljon Go Interview | Page 1 of 1 | Aljon Go Interview