Day 17: Jam_On

According to Sirius: Improvisational, eclectic rock music from today's best jam bands

Driving Conditions: Drove to work in the morning, but after work hit a movie (Ocean's Thirteen) before heading home.

My Experience: The theme of Jam_On wasn't immediately identifiable by the name of the channel, but the first thing I heard seemed like two consecutive songs in a set from a live concert (Kat's Tune and In the Kitchen by Umphrey's McGee), so I was thinking this would just be a channel of live concert music. But the music also sounded roughly the same...slightly Grateful Dead-ish, and somewhat improvisational. Plus, for the most part, I wasn't recognizing any of the groups that were playing (even though Widespread Panic did play twice during my time in the car). When I got home and read the description of the channel (see above), I was pleased to see I had pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Interesting Sidenotes: In the spirit of Grateful Dead and Phish fans everywhere, who follow their favorite concerts around the nation, Jam_On has instituted a "Summer of Jam" feature that can be linked to through their page on the Sirius site. Basically, it encourages people to phone in reports from the road, as they stalk the bands they love across the country. You can click on several links to check out audio reports that listeners have sent in. Also...looks like a Grateful Dead radio station will soon be appearing on Sirius. Woo hoo.

Sample Playlist:

• God Street Wine, Tina's Town and Bring Back the News
• Widespread Panic, Doreatha
• Bob Marley and he Wailers, Rastaman Chant
  
• Stanley Clarke, Silly Putty
• Dave Matthews, Two Step
• Soulive, Jesus Children
• Widespread Panic, Worry

Verdict: Was interesting to listen to while I was trying to figure out the theme, but it was a bit too much "jamming" and not enough music to sink my teeth into.