Brian_Kerhin's Blog

We got some feedback for some of the music we played with the list of Independence Day parade and fireworks.

Specifically, a handful of viewers complained about playing Jimi Hendrix's version of the "Star Spangled Banner", saying it was disrespectful to the country.

Hendrix performed the song on Aug. 17, 1969 at the Woodstock music festival. Hendrix, who died the next year, was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

His version remains controversial - some view it as an artistic expression of free speech and a great interpretation of the song. And, on a holiday celebrating freedom, maybe it's the most appropriate time to play it. Others, including a few viewers, still find it offensive nearly 40 years later - even if they aren't aware of the history of this version of the song, or maybe it simply sounds "wrong" to them when it's played.

So, what does that mean in this case? We plays lots of music, especially in the morning show. Country, pop, rock, classics and Packers-themed songs all make in on air at one time or another. Over this holiday weekend, we played lots of "patriotic" music, including works by John Philip Sousa - usually considered the most traditional music for Independence Day.

I guess music is like art - people know what they like and don't like. For example, some people complain when we play country, yet a country music station is usually the top-rated one in Green Bay.

We certainly did not mean to offend anyone. I guess my best advice is that if a song comes on you don't like - whether that's Lee Greenwood, Madonna, the Beatles or Hendrix - is perhaps turn down the volume and wait until next time - and hopefully it's a song you like.

And we certainly appreciate the feedback - we do discuss and followup on such comments.