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SEASON ONE, EPISODE SEVEN: “Mama Africa”



From the beginning, black music was a primary feature of The Channel’s eclectic lineup of headliners. Episode 7 explores The Channel’s embrace of early hip-hop, reggae, funk and R&B acts–and the impact it had on a still racially segregated Boston, where outsiders feared going to South Boston and black audiences in particular feared visiting Southie for any reason. The Channel’s embrace of this music, along with inside accounts from some of the people who were there, highlights this special episode–including commentary from reggae legend Peter Tosh.

This is the seventh episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.

Boston Venue: The Channel Story has been nominated by the Boston Music Awards 2019 for “Music Podcast of the Year.” Be sure to cast your vote and don’t forget to subscribe! If you like the show, leave a review, we really appreciate it.

Music featured in this episode: Danny Tucker, “Tell It Out,” Zion Initiation, “Call It Down,” Barrence Whitfield & The Savages, “Georgia Slop.” Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.
Contributing storytellers in this episode: Peter Tosh, Danny Tucker, Kevin Aylmer, Chachi LoPrete, Rick Anderson, Dart Adams, Peter Booras, Barrence Whitfield, Cosmo Macero Jr.

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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe and Jennifer Booras. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Dan Thibeault. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Your narrator, John Laurenti.


Boston Venue: Season One Bonus Episode: The Channel Back Stories, Volume 1



Putting together each episode of Boston Venue: The Channel Story is a painstaking process involving hours of research and hours more coordinating and conducting interviews with the artists, journalists, DJs and scenesters that were there. As a bonus between Episode 6 and Episode 7, we’re giving you a chance to listen to the raw interviews Boston journalist and Boston Venue contributing writer Nate Homan conducted with hardcore legend Ian MacKaye and Dickie Barrett, leader of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. This is the first of these bonus episodes. If you like it, please leave a review on your favorite podcast site or on https://thechannelstory.com/. More bonus episodes are in the works.

Please show your support for Boston Venue: The Channel Story Podcast by subscribing to “Boston Venue: The Channel Story” and leaving a review.

Music featured in this episode: “Where’d You Go,” provided by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. “Cashout,” by Fugazi and “Filler” by Minor Threat. Contributing storytellers in this episode: Dickie Barrett, Ian MacKaye and Nate Homan.

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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

Conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi LoPrete. Written and edited by Harry Booras. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg and Nate Homan. Audio production by Dan Thibeault. Graphic Design by Lisa St. John-Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti.


SEASON ONE, EPISODE FIVE: “Where’d You Go?”



The Channel became a musical melting pot in a city still divided by parochial neighborhoods and lingering racial animosities. A club on a desolate stretch of the Boston waterfront became a hub for rock ‘n’ roll, punk, hardcore, straight-edge, and a rapidly developing ska scene. Radio stations were battling for dominance. Politicians were looking to score points by using The Channel to further their agendas. And another local club owner–and Godson of a fearsome mafiosi–is hanging around The Channel. Little did he know that his time was running out…

This is the fifth chapter of the true and complete story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel. As this 10-episode season continues, you’ll hear all about the club’s gritty beginnings, 1980s live music heyday, and the bitter end, when local mobsters leave the club in ruins…and leave one man dead, sparking a 25-year mystery.

If you enjoyed Episode Five, please show your support by subscribing to “Boston Venue: The Channel Story” and leaving a review.

Music featured in this episode, “Police Beat” and “Where’d You Go” provided by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Contributing storytellers in this episode: Dickie Barrett, Sean McNally, Carter Alan, Brad Mindich, Warren Scott, Peter Booras, and Caesar Angiulo.

Listen & Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts
Android
Spotify
Stitcher
Tune-In
Google Podcasts

Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi LoPrete. Written by Harry Booras. Edited by Christopher O’Keeffe. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tony Baglio and Dan Thibeault. Graphic Design by Lisa St. John. Narrated by John Laurenti.