Hey y'all, Randy here. So it's been about 6 mos. since I've done an episode and I figure an explanation is in order. Anyone that knows me personally knows that I have been battling addiction for the better part of my life. It's something I'm pretty open about but haven't really stated publicly as I am now. I've been addicted to heroin since the age of 18. I'm now 38, so it's been an off and on thing for the last 20 years. I got clean in 2009 after my fiancee passed away from an overdose. I also spent a year in jail for some things I'd done in my addiction. When I got out in 2010, I attended 12 step meetings to maintain my sobriety. Shortly after that I started this show. After being clean for couple of years, I made the decision to pick up drinking again, thinking that my problems stemmed from heroin and drinking would be ok. The drinking progressed, slowly at first, but ultimately I was drinkiing the way an alcoholic drinks, meaning simply that I could not stop. Around this time last year, I went back to my drug of choice. Things spiraled out of control pretty rapidly. Although I managed to keep my job, I was missing work a lot and having trouble functioning as a human being. I went into treatment in January of this year for 21 days to try to get help. This worked for about a month or two, but because most of the other situations in my life stayed the same, I relapsed again. I eventually violated my probation for failing a urine test and got locked up in June. I spent just over a month in jail and went from there to a long term treatment facility in Harrisburg Pa. While in there, I decided to relocate to Harrisburg and do this the right way this time. I've been clean for about 4 months now. Starting a new job in a few days and getting a much needed fresh start. I had to get away from Philadelphia. As much as I love that city, I feel it's dangerous for me right now and I'm unwilling to risk moving backward at this early stage. So now I'm gonna start bringing back episodes as I find the time. This music has and will continue to be a huge source of happiness and sanity for me, so I will definitely be making the time to get back to this. It's something I love to do. This music has done so much for me as far as picking me up when I'm down, making me smile, and going to shows always gave me a place to call home. I've always enjoyed spreading that joy to others, it's why I do this.
That all being said, I've been away for a bit and had a big musical back up going on. There's been a lot of stuff that I missed over the summer and a few things that came out right before I got locked up that I'd meant to play, so I'm trying to get that stuff in this one. Thank you all for baring with me through my ups and downs and giving me reason to do this. I hope you enjoy. As always, Listen. Dance. Repeat.
In This Episode:
Rude Boys Outa Jail - The Specials
Higher - The Pietasters
Get You Through - Obi Fernandez
Strong Foundation - The Snails
I Will Get Along Without You - The Melodians
I Can't Stay - Jackie Mendez
Shining On - Big D and the Kids Table
Paulo Friere Ska - The Snails (Feat. David Hillyard and King Django)
The Netflix Song (Season 2) - Survay Says!
Love Is Not A Game - The Georgetown Orbits
Why You Gotta Be - Maxwell Smart
Pulling Strings - David Hillyard
Leroy Said - The West Kensingtons (ft Todd Fausnacht)
Off and On Lovin' - The Debonaires
Tighten Up - The Georgetown Orbits
Liberty Street Lights - The Snails
On The Dance Floor - Bim Skala Bim
Escapes and Illusions - Inspecter 7
Aria - Crazy Baldhead
