The Great Show of Indifference Premieres January 31st

Tune in Fridays from 7 to 9 am for Vernon Smith’s new rock jam, The Great Show of Indifference.

Inspired by Sir Bob Geldof’s jig and riddle, “The Great Song of Indifference,” the new program is Smith’s reaction to the decay of a once great radio market that broke and preserved music of significance.

“Main things I’ll be indifferent to are celebrity body parts, screaming heads, and mucous anecdotes,” says Smith. “I’m not saying those are the only things on the drive, but there sure enough is plenty of it.

“The Great Show of Indifference is my reaction to that — a fast and earnest rock show built on real music, which is what brought me to CJAM in the first place. If I stick to that and get here for 7 am, we’ll raise the level of morning radio.”

In recent years, Smith has hosted a country show (Motown Hoedown), a Jazz show (Jazz Hacienda), and two variety shows (Sin City Shuffle and Hotel Internationale). Collectively, those experiences will inform his morning rock run, which will consist of several styles from the Windsor-Detroit area, as well as the rest of the world.

“The listening community can expect a diverse rock show, CJAM style. I’m into ebb and flow, yes, and please remember that Bob Marley is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But I also like that overdrive switch, plan to hit it — a lot.”

It’s a democratic show in that Smith encourages bands to send in their live cuts and demos.

The Great Show of Indifference debuts Friday from 7 to 9 am on CJAM 99.1 FM in Windsor-Detroit. CJAM can also be streamed live at cjam.ca, where archives are available after the fact. Cogeco Cable customers can once again tune in on channel 285.