Hicks with Sticks is back on the radio with two August shows featuring 2010-2011 tracks from the Bay Area’s hillbillies and rockabillies, including new releases from the Whisky Richards, Loretta Lynch, Midnight Trio (Livermore’s finest), Whisky Pills Fiasco, The Coburns (ex-King Cab members and San Leandro’s finest) and Laura Benetez (Cottonpickers).  Tune in to find out what’s twangin’ throughout the Bay Area.  Both shows will be broadcast and webcast.

The first show, Peter Thompson‘s Bluegrass Signal on Saturday 13, 6:30 -8:00 (KALW.org), typically features Hicks with Sticks as a guest, but this time both Peter and bluegrass will be taking the day off for the amplified side of roots Americana with Jose Segue guest-hosting.  The second show, Why, Baby Why on Tuesday 30, 11:59 pm – 1:00 am (KALX.Berkeley.edu), will have DJ Meaty Paws at the controls while Jose passes the platters and handles back-announcing.  Each show features a different playlist to “optimize the listening experience”.  Why, Baby Why listeners should plan ahead for a Wednesday morning sleep-in, for optimization’s sake, as audio creeps ever closer to this site.

Tom Drohan and Gayle Schmidt were on a train platform in Spain looking at this picture of their house in flames.  Pam Brandon had just returned from visiting her parents in France to find her home in ruins.  Drohan/Schmidt occupied the lower flat at 434-436 Waller, Pam Brandon lives in the upper flat.  There was no loss of life, pets, or a Martin guitar which was saved by the firemen, but everything else is now gone.

All have strong ties to the Bay Area Americana community.  Pam Brandon leads Belle Monroe and her Brewglass Boys (bluegrass), sings in Lost Weekend (western bop/swing), and sings in D’lilah Monroe and the Tomcats (swing).  Tom Drohan plays stand-up bass as a Brewglass Boy and as a Tomcat.  He’s also in the Shut-Ins (hulabilly) and plays bass with his wife in Gayle Lynn (Schmidt) and the Hired Hands (Americana/country).  They’re all great people to have at a party, especially at the Waller St. parties they’ve hosted themselves.

The Haighteration blog, which reports Lower Haight news, carried the picture above and more details here and here.  The-434-436-Waller-Fire-Relief-Page Facebook page can be found here.  Fundraisers are being organized and will be on the Hicks with Sticks Calendar and in comments to this post.  All three are bounce-back people, but their need for help is clear.  Let’s rally!