THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412150183
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
The toughest record to make in rock 'n' roll is the second one. On the first record, there are no expectations. The real joy of the project is you did it - you made a record. People buy something with your words, vocals, playing and music on it. All of a sudden, a musical group goes from band to recording artist.
Then the pressure hits. If the first record bombs, the second one better be good or there may not be another chance. If the first record is successful, the buying public wants a second one, as good, if not better, than the first.
Molasses Creek has survived the sophomore jinx.
The Ocracoke band is back with ``Ocracoke Island'' (the sequel). The band's second album, just out, is a continuation of the themes explored on the first record: love, family and life on the island.
Molasses Creek is Gary and Kitty Mitchell, David Streicher and Wes Lassiter. The Mitchells and Streicher played on the first ``Ocracoke Island.''
The new offering was recorded entirely in the Mitchells' home. Their studio is called ``Soundside.'' It's a fully functional 8-track recording room.
As on the first record, Gary Mitchell handles most of the lead vocals. Half the album's 12 songs are his compositions. Kitty plays bass and sings in close harmony with Gary.
This is the kind of music I like: simple, direct, spiritual, straddling the line between folk and bluegrass. There are also some playful, up-tempo songs powered by the skillful fiddle playing of David Streicher.
Wes Lassiter is the new player on the album. He sings, writes songs and plays banjo and mandolin. One of album's best cuts ``But I Got Love,'' cooks with Streicher's fiddle and Lassiter's banjo and mandolin.
Molasses Creek plays mostly on Ocracoke. The band's music is as pleasant as the ferry ride from Hatteras on a crisp autumn day.
Not so pleasant is the news that at WNHW (Carolina 92), longtime programmer and air personality Jeff Goodrich is leaving the airwaves.
It's a loss. In an industry populated with smiling disc jockeys saying nothing, Goodrich was the exception. Jeff is from the old school of radio: Talk to a listener, form a kinship. Jeff's smooth style and warm delivery will be missed.
The new operations manager at Carolina 92 is Hunt Thomas. Thomas is a veteran Outer Banks broadcaster and most recently was stage manager of the Lost Colony.
Another longtime broadcaster, Greg Clark, leaves WOBR-Beach 95 at the end of the month. Clark's depature is another huge loss. For many years, Clark was the news on radio. He guided many of us through hurricanes, northeasters and the winds of local politics. I worked with the man for nine years, and he never ceased to amaze me with his ability to assimilate facts and figures on election night and then deliver the returns in a clear, understandable voice.
Clark's greatest showing came during threatening weather. Many nights, working with no sleep, he would drive into the rainy, windy night, gather his information, and then deliver it on radio in a succinct, calming report. Clark's departure makes radio a little poorer.
The new operations manager of WOBR is Lee Lovingood. The three-year veteran begins his new duties on Jan l. Lovingood will also move to the morning drive shift on Dec. 19. Nancy Travers, who has been doing mornings, moves to afternoons.
Gem Meyer is the acting operations manager at WVOD. Meyer replaces another old pro, Larry Wayne. Wayne leaves the station on Dec. 23. His authoratative, accurate news broadcasting will be missed.
WVOD's new nightguy is Kyle Newman. He comes here from Columbus, Ohio.
Bryan Conners is the new afternoon personality on WCXL-XL104. Conners worked in the Durham/Raleigh market before landing at WCXL.
Listeners wanting Christmas music on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, will find it on WOBR, WNHW, WCXL and WRSF-Dixie 105.7. by CNB