Fred Buc

On the air:

Saturdays 8am - Noon

Title:

General Manager/Retro Lightning Host

Currently Listening To:

  • Katie Herzig - The Waking Sleep

  • Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials

  • Foster the People - Torches

  • Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

  • Grace Potter & the Nocturnals - Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

  • Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

Biography

A Music City native, Fred caught the radio bug early in life at the tender age of 14. He carried his new love forward into college radio, serving as both Program Director and Station Manager of Vanderbilt University's WRVU (1974-1979), and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration and Mathematics from Vanderbilt. Fred later enrolled in Tennessee State University’s Executive M.B.A. Marketing program. He is also a 2000 graduate of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s “FastTrac Planning” executive management program, a 2004 alumnus of Nashville’s professional Leadership Music program, and participated in Nashville Startup Weekend 2008. A radio industry veteran for over 35 years, Fred spent nine years at WKDA and WKDF/Nashville (1976-1985) in various on-air and operational capacities, rising to Program Director of Country WKDA in 1980. He was also part of the original "Rebel 100" air staff (Lightning 100's predecessor) in the late 80s. Later, Fred was in Corporate Operations at Jefferson-Pilot Communications in Charlotte, NC (1989-1990), and an on-air personality at KCFX/Kansas City (1990-1992). While in K.C., he co-founded a national advertising agency before returning to his Music City roots in 1992 as Production Manager for Lightning 100. In 1995, he became Director of Operations for the station’s parent group (Tuned In Broadcasting, Inc.) and was named General Manager for the group’s five Nashville-area properties (WRLT, WRLG, WYYB, WDBL-AM & FM) in 1998. In addition to his long on-air history in Nashville, Fred has hosted Lightning 100’s popular "Retro Lightning" program (heard every Saturday morning from 8am-12Noon) since 1993. Fred currently serves on Leadership Music’s Board of Directors, the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters’ Board of Directors, the March of Dimes’ AIR Awards Board of Governors. He is also a member of the Nashville Advertising Federation, the Country Music Association and the Americana Music Association.

Recent Posts

RETRO LIGHTNING – 1982

(Show #952; aired on 01-28-2012)

1982 was definitely the “center lane” for Techno-Pop!  New Brit and L.A. bands were experimenting with dance club mixes full of rhythmic beats, synthesized keyboards and added special effects.  The rest of the U.S. was playing it safe with a clean, more polished sound. Many top market Rock stations were starting to tighten-up their playlists with highly-researched songs in a format called Album Oriented Rock (AOR).  But don’t worry… we’ll be going a lot deeper than that on today’s program.  Have fun listening! — Fred

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ARTIST TITLE ALBUM
The Steve Miller Band Abracadabra (LP cut) Abracadabra
Asia Only Time Will Tell (self-titled debut)
R.E.M. Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars) Dead Letter Office
David Johansen (live) We Gotta Get Out of This Place (trilogy) Live It Up
The Fixx Stand or Fall Shuttered Room  (debut)
Billy Joel Allentown The Nylon Curtain
Melissa Manchester You Should Hear How She Talks… Hey Ricky
Don Henley You Better Hang Up I Can’t Stand Still  (solo debut)
Trio Da Da Da Musique
Supertramp It’s Raining Again …Famous Last Words…
Pete Shelley Homosapien Homosapien
Talk Talk Talk Talk Party’s Over  (debut)
Chris de Burgh Don’t Pay the Ferryman The Getaway
Richard & Linda Thompson Walking on a Wire Shoot Out the Lights
TV THEME “Cheers”
Musical Youth Pass the Dutchie The Youth of Today
A Flock of Seagulls Space Age Love Song (self-titled debut)
Martha and the Muffins Danseparc (Everyday It’s Tomorrow) Danseparc
Donnie Iris Love Is Like a Rock King Cool
The Police Spirits in the Material World Ghost in the Machine
Planet P (f/Tony Carey) Why Me? Planet P Project
MOVIE – David Bowie Cat People (Putting Out Fire) “Cat People” (OST)
Journey Still They Ride Escape
Icehouse Great Southern Land Primitive Man
Roxy Music More Than This Avalon
Duran Duran Save a Prayer Rio
LOCAL – Jim Peterik (w/Survivor) Eye of the Tiger Eye of the Tiger
LOCAL – Steve Winwood Valerie Talking Back to the Night
LOCAL – Adrian Belew (w/King Crimson) Heartbeat Beat
Joe Jackson Breaking Us In Two Night and Day
Warren Zevon Looking for the Next Best Thing The Envoy
Huey Lewis and the News Bad Is Bad Sports
The J. Geils Band Freeze-Frame Freeze-Frame
Moving Pictures What About Me Days of Innocence
Rainbow Stone Cold Straight Between the Eyes
Fleetwood Mac Gypsy Mirage
The Cars Since You’re Gone Shake It Up
THEN – Van Halen Dancing in the Street Diver Down
NOW – Van Halen Tattoo A Different Kind of Truth (forthcoming 2/7)
Peter Godwin Images of Heaven Images of Heaven  (debut)
The Alan Parsons Project Sirius–>Eye in the Sky Eye in the Sky
Bonnie Raitt Me and the Boys Green Light
Lindsey Buckingham Trouble Law and Order  (solo debut)
BEATLE – George Harrison That’s the Way It Goes Gone Troppo
====================
NEXT SATURDAY:  1971

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RETRO LIGHTNING – 1972

(Show #951; aired on 01-21-2012)

1972 was one of the best years for Progressive Rock1972 was also a big year of musical discovery for me!  You know, I felt very fortunate to be introduced to so much good music during this time.  To that point…we could very easily go eight hours today instead of just four!  But since we only have four hours to give you, here’s a pretty good representation of the great stuff that came out during 1972.  Enjoy the show!! — Fred

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ARTIST TITLE ALBUM
Yes Long Distance Runaround–>Fish Fragile
The Doobie Brothers Listen to the Music Toulouse Street
Don McLean Dreidel (self-titled)
Three Dog Night Black and White Seven Separate Fools
Cat Stevens Sitting Catch Bull at Four
Bread Everything I Own Baby I’m-a Want You
Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show Sylvia’s Mother (self-titled debut)
Stevie Wonder I Believe (When I Fall in Love…) Talking Book
It’s A Beautiful Day (live) White Bird Live at Carnegie Hall
Shawn Phillips I Took a Walk Faces
Jethro Tull Living in the Past Living in the Past
Elton John Crockadile Rock Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player
The Temptations Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (LP cut) All Directions
Harry Nilsson Jump Into the Fire (LP cut) Nilsson Schmilsson
Blue Oyster Cult Stairway to the Stars (self-titled debut)
Todd Rundgren I Saw the Light Something/Anything?
Neil Young Alabama Harvest
Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks O’Reilly at the Bar Striking It Rich
Buddy Miles (live) Them Changes With Carlos Santana
Chicago Dialogue (Pt. 1 & 2) Chicago V
Rod Stewart Twistin’ the Night Away Never a Dull Moment
REO Speedwagon Let Me Ride R.E.O. T.W.O.
Dan Fogelberg To the Morning Home Free
LOCAL – The Flat Creek Band Schoolhouse Blues n/a
LOCAL – Barefoot Jerry In God We Trust (self-titled)
LOCAL – Al Anderson (w/NRBQ) Howard Johnson’s Got His Ho-Jo… Scraps
Uriah Heep Easy Livin’ Demons and Wizards
Alice Cooper Under My Wheels Killer
Rolling Stones Sole Survivor Exile on Main St.
Bette Midler Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy The Divine Miss M  (debut)
Leon Russell Out in the Woods Carney
Silverhead Underneath the Light (self-titled debut)
Deep Purple Highway Star Machine Head
Badfinger Baby Blue Straight Up
The Allman Brothers Band Blue Sky Eat a Peach
THEN – Paul Simon Mother and Child Reunion (self-titled solo debut)
NOW – Paul Simon Rewrite So Beautiful or So What
Babe Ruth The Mexican First Base (debut)
David Bowie Ziggy Stardust–>Suffragette City The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust…
The Band (live) King Harvest (Has Surely Come) Rock of Ages
The Moody Blues The Land of Make-Believe Seventh Sojourn
BEATLE – Wings Mary Had a Little Lamb (single)
=====================
NEXT SATURDAY:  1982

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RETRO LIGHTNING – 1976

(Show #949; aired on 01-07-2012)

1976….our nation’s Bicentennial year!  During that time, you could find a lot of brand new music ripe for the taking.  And it spread across all genres:  Progressive Rock, Top 40, R&B, plenty of great Jazz/Fusion crossovers, and a touch of Country, too!  Today, we’ll revive some of the best selling music from that year along with some deeeeeper album tracks taken from my 1976 college radio experience.  Maybe you’ll remember some of these….. — Fred

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ARTIST TITLE ALBUM
The Steve Miller Band Space Intro–>Fly Like an Eagle Fly Like an Eagle
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Breakdown (self-titled debut)
David Bowie TVC 15 Station to Station
C.W. McCall Convoy Black Bear Road  (debut)
Al Stewart On the Border Year of the Cat
Stanley Clarke School Days (instr.) School Days
Queen You’re My Best Friend A Night at the Opera
Billy Joel James Turnstiles
City Boy Haymaking Time (self-titled debut)
Genesis Your Own Special Way Wind & Wuthering
Leo Sayer You Make Me Feel Like Dancing Endless Flight
Amazing Rhythm Aces The End Is Not in Sight Too Stuffed to Jump
Joni Mitchell Coyote Hejira
TV THEME – John Sebastian “Welcome Back Kotter” Welcome Back
England Dan & John Ford Coley Nights Are Forever Without You Nights Are Forever
Chicago If You Leave Me Now Chicago X
The Tubes Don’t Touch Me There Young & Rich
Boz Scaggs Lowdown Silk Degrees
Robin Trower Long Misty Days Long Misty Days
Jackson Browne The Pretender The Pretender
Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (live) Turn the Page ‘Live’ Bullet
Earth, Wind & Fire Sing a Song Gratitude
Gary Wright Love Is Alive Dream Weaver
ZZ Top Asleep in the Desert (instr.) Tejas
LOCAL – Gene Cotton Sweet Destiny Rain On
LOCAL – The Pousette-Dart Band What Can I Say (self-titled debut)
LOCAL – Emmylou Harris Together Again Elite Hotel
10cc Art for Art’s Sake How Dare You
Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back in Town Jailbreak
The Kinks I’m In Disgrace Schoolboys in Disgrace
The Spinners Rubberband Man Happiness Is Being With…
Heart Magic Man Dreamboat Annie
Return to Forever Majestic Dance (instr.) Romantic Warrior
Steely Dan Don’t Take Me Alive The Royal Scam
Boston More Than a Feeling (self-titled debut)
Electric Light Orchestra So Fine A New World Record
THEN – Daryl Hall (w/John Oates) She’s Gone (full LP cut) Abandoned Luncheonette
NOW – Daryl Hall Laughing Down Crying Laughing Down Crying
Jeff Beck Blue Wind (instr.) Wired
Eric Carmen All By Myself (full LP cut) (self-titled solo debut)
Chuck Mangione Bellavia (instr.) Bellavia
Lynyrd Skynyrd Gimme Back My Bullets Gimme Back My Bullets
BEATLE – George Harrison Crackerbox Palace Thirty-Three & 1/3
============================
NEXT WEEK:  1986
WITH MARY BRACE!!

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RETRO LIGHTNING – 1981

(Show #948; aired on 12-31-2011)

In 1981, I was actually the Program Director of a COUNTRY station in Nashville (WKDA).  Rock music was going through an identity crisis at the time, and as a result, some of the “Urban Cowboy Country Crossover” influence was finding its way onto the Pop charts and even penetrated Rock radio’s airwaves.  Hello, MTV!  Happy New Year everyone!  As we close another year, we find Retro music aging a little bit more.  Don’t ever forget the memories and the music you grew up with! — Fred

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ARTIST TITLE ALBUM
Genesis Abacab Abacab
Little River Band Take It Easy on Me Time Exposure
James Taylor (w/J.D. Souther) Her Town Too Dad Loves His Work
Don McLean Crying Chain Lightning
Rodney Crowell ‘Til I Gain Control Again (self-titled)
John Lennon & Yoko Ono (Just Like) Starting Over Double Fantasy
Rickie Lee Jones Woody & Dutch on the Slow Train… Pirates
Bob Dylan Every Grain of Sand Shot of Love
Chilliwack My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone) Wanna Be a Star
Daryl Hall + John Oates How Does It Feel to Be Back Voices
Saga On the Loose Worlds Apart
Go-Go’s Our Lips Are Sealed Beauty and the Beat  (debut)
Jefferson Starship Find Your Way Back Modern Times
TV THEME – Joey Scarbury “The Greatest American Hero”
David Lindley She Took Off My Romeos El Rayo-X
The Rolling Stones Waiting on a Friend Tattoo You
Joan Armatrading The Weakness in Me Walk Under Ladders
The Cars Shake It Up Shake It Up
Styx Too Much Time on My Hands Paradise Theater
MOVIE – Vangelis Theme from “Chariots of Fire” “Chariots of Fire”  (OST)
Sheena Easton Morning Train (self-titled debut)
Lindsey Buckinham Trouble Law and Order  (solo debut)
Echo & the Bunnymen A Promise Heaven Up Here
Santana Winning Zebop
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Crimson and Clover I Love Rock N’ Roll
The Moody Blues In My World Long Distance Voyager
LOCAL – Dobie Gray (live) A Change Is Gonna Come Volunteer Jam VII
LOCAL – Kim Carnes Bette Davis Eyes Mistaken Identity
LOCAL – Dolly Parton 9 to 5 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs
Pretenders Message of Love Pretenders II
Climax Blues Band I Love You Flying the Flag
The Marshall Tucker Band This Time I Believe Dedicated
Steve Winwood Spanish Dancer Arc of a Diver
The Tubes Talk to Ya Later The Completion Backwards Prinicple
Frank Zappa Fine Girl Tinseltown Rebellion
Stevie Nicks (f/Tom Petty) Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around Bella Donna  (solo debut)
Electric Light Orchestra Hold On Tight Time
The Clash The Magnificent Seven Sandinista!
THEN – Peter Gabriel Biko (full version!) (self-titled 1981)
NOW – Peter Gabriel Red Rain New Blood
Diesel Sausalito Summernight Watts in a Tank
Journey Don’t Stop Believin’ Escape
Dave Edmunds I Knew the Bride (single)
Dan Fogelberg Same Old Lang Syne The Innocent Age
BEATLE – George Harrison All Those Years Ago Somewhere in England
=======================
NEXT SATURDAY:  1976

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RETRO LIGHTNING – CHRISTMAS

(Show #947; aired on 12-24-2011)

Happy Christmas!!  And welcome to the Retro Lightning Christmas Special!  Today, we’re remembering some holiday classics from yesteryear’s Progressive Rock artists.  Some of these songs you continue to hear year after year.  But hopefully today, we’ll pull out some rare musical memories to really get you into the holiday spirit!  I hope you enjoy the show. — Fred  

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ARTIST TITLE YEAR
Pretenders 2000 Miles 1984
Eagles Please Be Home for Christmas 1981
Bob Dylan Winterlude 1970
The Singing Dogs Jingle Bells 1968
Elton John Holiday Inn 1971
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Christmas All Over Again 1989
Barclay James Harvest Hymn 1977
Jose Feliciano Feliz Navidad 1970
The Kinks Father Christmas 1978
Canned Heat Christmas Blues 1970
Bob & Doug McKenzie Twelve Days of Christmas 1980
Elvin Bishop Silent Night 1975
Loreena McKennitt In Praise of Christmas 1987
The Waitresses Christmas Wrapping 1981
Elvis Presley Blue Christmas 1957
The Who Christmas 1969
TV THEME – Vince Guraldi “Linus & Lucy” (instr.) 1964
TV THEME – Thurl Ravenscroft “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” 1966
TV THEME – David Seville “The Chipmunk Song” 1958
Greg Lake I Believe in Father Christmas 1977
Joni Mitchell River 1971
Jethro Tull Ring Out Solstice Bells 1977
Harry Nilsson Remember Christmas 1972
Donnie Hathaway This Christmas 1971
Bob Rivers Comedy Corp. The Twelve Pains of Christmas 1987
Jon Anderson Three Ships 1985
Billy Squier Christmas Is the Time to Say “I Love You” 1982
Stevie Nicks Silent Night 1983
Chuck Berry Run Run Rudolph 1967
Kate Bush December Will Be Magic Again 1979
LOCAL – Steve Earle Nothing But a Child 1988
LOCAL – Janis Ian In the Winter 1975
LOCAL – Emmylou Harris Light of the Stable 1975
LOCAL – John Prine Christmas in Prison 1973
LOCAL – Leon Russell Slipping into Christmas 1972
Bruce Springsteen (live) Merry Christmas Baby 1986
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Little Drummer Boy 1981
Monty Python’s Flying Circus Three Wise Men 1979
Pat Benatar Please Be Home for Christmas 1991
Neil Young Star of Bethlehem 1977
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (live) Nutrocker (instr.) 1972
Queen Thank God It’s Christmas 1984
Jethro Tull Christmas Song 1972
COMMERCIAL SPOOF “Breakfast Filing Cabinet”
COMMERCIAL SPOOF “New Script Necktie & Airwick”
Cheech & Chong Santa Claus and His Old Lady 1976
The Payola$ Christmas Is Coming 1983
Elton John Step Into Christmas 1973
The Band Christmas Must Be Tonight 1975
BEATLE – Ringo Starr Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1972
BEATLE – John Lennon & Yoko Ono Happy Xmas (War Is Over) 1971
BEATLE – George Harrison Ding Dong, Ding Dong 1974
BEATLE – Paul McCartney Wonderful Christmastime 1979
BEATLES Christmas Time Is Here Again 1967
=======================
NEXT SATURDAY:  1981

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RETRO LIGHTNING – 1970

(Show #946; aired on 12-17-2011)

1970…a year of turmoil, war protests, young rebellion, and disasters like the tragedy at Kent State on May 4th.  Musically, new Progressive “Free Form” Rock radio stations emerged on the FM band to publicize the frustrations of  America’s youth.  Folk singers on both sides of the Atlantic sang their stories and heavier protest songs rang out across the land.   Today, we’ll re-live the days of 1970 on Retro Lightning!  — Fred

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ARTIST TITLE ALBUM
Badfinger No Matter What No Dice
Elton John Where to Now St. Peter? Tumbleweed Connection
The Doors Peace Frog –> Blue Sunday Morrison Hotel
Jimmy Cliff Wonderful World, Beautiful People Wonderful World, Beautiful People
Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water Bridge Over Troubled Water
Shawn Phillips No Question Contribution
Melanie Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) Candles in the Rain
The Beach Boys Marcella Carl & the Passions
Chairmen of the Board Give Me Just a Little More Time Give Me Just a Little More Time
The Band Stage Fright Stage Fright
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Lucky Man (self-titled debut)
Led Zeppelin Immigrant Song Led Zeppelin III
James Gang Funk #49 Rides Again
Three Dog Night I Can Hear You Calling Naturally
TV THEME “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”
Rare Earth (live) (I Know) I’m Losing You — full version! In Concert
David Bowie The Man Who Sold the World The Man Who Sold the World
Van Morrison Come Running Moondance
MOVIE – The Rolling Stones Street Fighting Man “Gimme Shelter”  (OST)
The Tee Set Ma Belle Amie Ma Belle Amie  (debut)
James Taylor Fire and Rain Sweet Baby James
Seatrain 13 Questions (self-titled debut)
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Carry On Deja Vu  (debut)
Traffic Freedom Rider John Barleycorn Must Die
The Allman Brothers Band Leave My Blues at Home Idelwild South
LOCAL – B.J. Thomas I Just Can’t Help Believin’ Everybody’s Out of Town
LOCAL – Natchez Trace You Owe It to Me (not available)
LOCAL – John Kay (w/Steppenwolf) Monster/Suicide/America — trilogy Monster
Eric Clapton Let It Rain (self-titled solo debut)
Jethro Tull To Cry You a Song Benefit
The Ides of March Vehicle Vehicle  (debut)
Blodwyn Pig See My Way Getting to This
Quicksilver Messenger Service Fresh Air Just for Love
Shocking Blue Venus At Home  (debut)
Cat Stevens Father and Son Tea for the Tillerman
THEN – Joe Cocker (live) The Letter Mad Dogs & Englishmen
NOW – Joe Cocker Hard Knocks Hard Knocks
The Move Brontosaurus Looking On
Santana Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen Abraxas
The Velvet Underground Rock & Roll Loaded
Crabby Appleton Go Back (self-titled debut)
BEATLE – George Harrison Isn’t It a Pity All Things Must Pass
=======================
NEXT SATURDAY:
“A RETRO LIGHTNING CHRISTMAS!”

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