Vinyl is having a moment right now! People seem to love the warmth, dynamics, and surface noise that come from a thin slab of black plastic. Does this describe you? Do you love old R&B, swamp blues, and funk records? Well then KOOP has the show for you! Crate Digger’s Gold (Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 pm) is your buddy Art(uro)’s weekly deep dive into the wide world of scratchy 45 RPM records! But there’s more to Art(uro) than banter and regularly walking away from the mic to restart his bed music.
Your Buddy Art(uro)
Can you give us a quick description of Crate Digger’s Gold for people who may not have heard the program?
My elevator pitch goes as follows: “On Crate Digger’s Gold, Your Buddy, Art(uro), unearths hidden gems in an all-vinyl musical journey starting from the blues and gospel to early rhythm and blues, soul and funk.” I play mostly 7″ 45 RPM singles that highlight the richness and diversity of local and regional music scenes from the early 1950s through the 1970s, with an emphasis on lesser-known artists and material. You will hear more B-sides than A-sides on Crate Digger’s Gold!
How long has Crate Digger’s Gold been on the air at KOOP?
I “officially” hung my shingle as Crate Digger’s Gold in 2016. However, the origins of the show appearing on KOOP date back to 2010 when Art(uro) became a regular sub for the then host of the 4:30-6pm afternoon time slot, Rick “Daddy” McNulty, on his popular music show, Excavation Nation. Crate Digger’s Gold began as a podcast back in 2007 encompassing more genres of music, but still emphasizing the 45 RPM record.
What was the original show pitch? And has the scope changed since the original concept?
If the scope of the show has changed at all, it’s that I’ve tried to align my musical selections with the various Celebration Events that KOOP recognizes throughout the year, such as International Women’s Day, Black History Month (celebrated year-round), 4 weeks of Hispanic Heritage Month and more. I also attempt to illuminate the music of both significant and lesser-known artists, producers, and label owners by revealing the connections and relationships between them that yielded some of the most amazing music that was ever lost to history.
What is your favorite thing about volunteering for KOOP?
I love that KOOP’s mission provides such a wide range of opportunities to volunteer, either directly with the day-to-day functioning of an FM and streaming radio station or the many ways in which we support the Austin community by amplifying the missions of our more than 140 Community Partner organizations.
Is there one single scratchy 45 RPM record that you would love to have, but that you have never been able to find? What’s your scratchy holy grail?
I love so many different types of music that this question is almost impossible to answer! Let’s see, locally, “Power Struggle” by James Polk & The Brothers on the Twink label would be quite the find. I believe DJ Marc of Ear Candy 2.0 owns this ultra-rare gem and I’m not jealous one bit. Nope. As for the city of my birth, New Orleans, I would have to pick “Hook And Sling” by Eddie Bo released on Scram Records, which was owned by NOLA personality and “Seafood City” legend, Al Scramuzza.
Is there anything you’d like to add for your listeners?
I don’t just play songs on Crate Digger’s Gold, I play records – with all their surface noise and imperfections. The era of physical media helped shape me into the person I am today. In fact, I still own and treasure several of the records I bought as a kid. Growing up, the only way to be able to hear a particular song whenever I wanted to was to go to a record store and buy the physical vinyl record that contained it. As such, record stores became a sacred space for me. Over time, as I discovered more of the music I missed, thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets became my hunting grounds as I dug to uncover these artifacts that I share on Crate Digger’s Gold today.
So if you find yourself sitting in America’s parking lot during rush hour traffic on a Wednesday, give Crate Digger’s Gold a listen, and let the warm sounds of scratchy forty-fives put you in a good mood!