What Happened to Roots Rock Live?

Today, while passing company time, I decided to surf over to Roots Rock Live.
I was reminded that I have not checked the site in some time, when I received an e-mail from Pat Keating: The frontman of the cable-access video revolution in the Brookline/Cambridge, Massachusetts area.

When my browser screeched to a halt, I saw the "Closed" sign on the front door of the home of "Roots rock and great talk". I want to thank Pat and crew for allowing me the pleasure of guest hosing the show in 2003. That night I met Lydia Warren and Matt Malikowski of the Lydia Warren Band. I remember being so nervous I couldn't eat.

After spending a full day with the family, in Boston, at the Childrens' Museum with Karyn, Sage, Noa and Pat. I thought for sure, my appetite would be raging. Alas, it wasn't. I was dwelling on how the interview would go. I wanted to make sure I got it right in front of the camera. I didn't want to appear like a fool. I had and amazing amount of anxiety weighing me down.

Upon arrival at the studio, I met some of the crew and saw how laid back everybody was. I showed me that things are hardly as bad as they seemed. As soon as I met Lydia and Matt I felt even more at ease.

I had to stay on guard however, because there was a volunteer camera guy that immediately saw this opportunity to get close to Lydia Warren as an excuse to become a bizarre species of lounge lizard. He seemed immediately threatened by Matt's presence. He abruptly asked, "You the boyfriend?"
Matt replied, "No, I'm the bass player and the sound man."

For camera guy, this answer was still not a good one. Although, it did give him a green light to attempt to gain Ms. Warren's attention. While Lydia and I were getting settled in our seats and getting appropriately mic'ed up. Camera guy composed a poem and printed it on a posterboard for display under his lens. I don't recall any specific stanzas of this master-work. I will say that It did cause Lydia to roll her eyes a bit.

That's when Pat put on his public relations hat and went to work. He diffused this situation with Delta Force stealth and the precision timing of a Swiss watchmaker. He took a scenario that could have been extremely uncomfortable for all involved and spun it around.

As a result, my thirty-minute career as a fill in T.V. host was a major success. I got to experience a rare, acoustic performance from an amazing singer/songwriter guitar player. Not to mention I learned a lot along the way about facing my fears.
Adrenaline can be a friend.

I've only managed to see Lydia and her band a couple of times since then. They have never managed to disappoint. I thank Pat Keating for showing me amazing talent on many levels.

I truly hope that in the case of Roots Rock Live this is not "goodbye" forever, may it only be a "goodbye" for now.

Thanks Pat!

Sincerely,
Dwayne