easy listening memories
I was driving to work yesterday, listening to a cd I haven’t listened to in a few months. I found myself thinking, gee, this sounds like something I would have heard on KHIH, and getting all nostalgic. Don’t bother searching Google for it - KHIH ceased operation several years ago.
I was a frequent listener to this station, especially when I worked outside. They billed themselves as easy listening, or cool jazz, or even contemporary jazz - more of a modern take on jazz, with the likes of Dave Coz, Dave Gruisin, Craig Chaquico, and Spyrogyra filtering through the headphones and car speakers. They started out down the dial around 95.7, then a year or two before folding gave that frequency up and moved up to 104.3, where it would eventually change format and call sign to some lame rap or top 40 wannabe station.
I’m not sure what made me think of it, really, except that I’ve never run across another radio station like it since. Maybe one exists on XM or Sirius, but I’m not sure that’s enough to make me cough up some hefty money for a radio and then a monthly subscription on top of it. Or maybe it is. Hell, I’d like something going in the background besides the tv, and it might as well be something I enjoy.
As I was saying, I’m not sure what made me think of it - I haven’t lived out west for years. Maybe it’s just that I miss it, and I didn’t realize it until I heard something that reminded me of it, like an ethereal ghost from another life I’d almost forgotten. It feels a bit strange for me, really. I think sometimes little bits of myself get lost in the process of trying to live my life, and now and then a memory like this come unbidden, like an old friend you haven’t seen in years, but still welcome. Just makes me think about life, is all.