I've been on the board of WXPN for seven years. My term is ending next week. The board doesn't have all that much influence on the day-to-day operations of the radio station. But every once in a while we help out a little bit. Like that time about two years ago when I suggested that the radio station's "Musicians-on-Call" program add Bryn Mawr Hospital to its group of participating hospitals.
They kind of chuckled at the time, suggesting that Bryn Mawr maybe didn't need the program. But, sure enough, a couple of years later, they asked me if I could set up a meeting with the Bryn Mawr folks. And, since Andi is the president of the hospital, setting up the meeting was kind of easy. The meeting eventually led to an affiliation between the program and the hospital.
And then a couple of days ago, there was an event at the hospital to kickoff the relationship. Several folks from WXPN went to the hospital, including station manager Roger LeMay and midday host Helen Leicht. Andi was there, too, of course. And she suggested that I attend, but I kind of thought that it was an internal hospital meeting about the rollout of the program, so I didn't go.
What a mistake that was. In addition to the XPN and hospital folks there, Amos Lee showed up. He's been a big supporter of the Musicians-on-Call program for years. And he graciously accepted XPN's invitation to come to the Bryn Mawr Hospital rollout. Andi was so taken with Amos - - along with Mutlu who also participated. Amos was gracious and humble, and he and Mutlu sang for a number of patients in the hospital. It was an amazing day. And I missed it. Shoot!
Amos Lee is from the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia. Although his family moved to Cherry Hill when he was a kid, he very much considers himself a Philadelphian. He's worked as a bartender and an elementary school teacher. And he paid his dues at open mic nights. Influenced by John Prine, Amos worked his way up the music chain, and now is a very well respected and successful singer-songwriter.
I've seen him a few times. Once at The Mann a few years ago, and then last year at WXPN's NonComm-vention - - where I actually had a chance to briefly say hello. Although he's mostly a folky, Amos can rock, too. And, when he's with his band (as opposed to just with an acoustic guitar), Amos can be Bruce Springsteen-like in concert. He's good. Very good.
And he's a mensch. You know, an honorable and fine guy. And he's a great singer-songwriter.
Today we're featuring an Amos Lee song that was featured in an AT&T commercial some time ago. It's one of my favorite Amos Lee songs. And, in this version, he's joined by a group called The Quebe Sisters. So here it is: Amos Lee's Sweet Pea from a performance in 2015.