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John Beaudin - President and Head Writer of Smooth Jazz Now.com - (On air (with Shannon Edwards) Weekdays 6AM-3PM)
 John Beaudin wanted to get in radio in grade six. After late great Miramichi broadcaster Rod Butcher visited his grade six elementary class in 1972 he was determined. Luckily, Butcher spent some time with John on that December day explaining how the radio world worked. It was also around the time that Beaudin started buying music. "Classic Rock" is really my favorite music," say Beaudin, “Even today that's mostly what I listen to but my love for Jazz and early New Age started back then as well."
He's talking about artists like Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis that pioneered New Age to George Benson, Jeff Lorber, and Bob James in Contemporary Jazz and Smooth Jazz. Then came Elton John. "My best friend in the world, Jeff Graham, introduced me to Elton's music in the early seventies and that really had a profound effect on me," He says,” I couldn't get enough of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. In fact, 'Madman Across the Water' is still my all time favorite album." He says you can add James Taylor April Wine, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and especially Genesis and Toto to his all time favorites. More
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Shannon Edwards - Contributing Editor - On-Air (with John Beaudin) Weekdays 6AM-3PM
 Shannon Edwards is Smooth Jazz Now's Editor and when we can twist her arm she's also our interview transcriber. Growing up in Penticton, B.C. Shannon soaked in the hot Okanagan sun listening to artists such as Toto,Chicago, the Eagles, Abba and the Beach Boys. After years of being stuck in a car with John Beaudin listening to hours of Smooth Jazz she finally became a convert.
Shannon and John have two children, Danica who is ten and Chase who is five years old. Some of Shannon's goals include learning higher levels of sign language, behavioral intervention for Danica who is Autistic and becoming more spiritual but mostly being scarce when John needs an interview transcribed.
Who would you love to have coffee with? - Well, I'd have to say Chris Botti (pictured right with Shannon) Though I haven't spoken to a lot of these artists personally (that's John's job) but I'm always inspired by the depth and honesty of Smooth Jazz artists. More
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Gerald Veasley Joins Smooth Jazz Now Team
 October 1, 2012 – The Air-Com Radio Network is pleased to welcome superstar Jazz musician Gerald Veasley to our team. The bassist will host the afternoon shift (3-6PM EST) each weekday on SmoothJazzNow – one of the world’s Smooth Jazz radio stations.
“Gerald and I have known each other for a few years,” says Air-Com President and Smooth Jazz Now host John Beaudin. “He is one of the classiest men I’ve ever met and he’s an amazing broadcaster adds Beaudin. “Gerald has been a guest host on SmoothJazzNow before and the reaction was fantastic. We look forward to having him as a permanent fixture on our station!”
“I’m grateful to be part of the SmoothJazzNow team.” Says Veasley, “I meet many fans who miss hearing smooth Jazz on terrestrial radio and they don't know where to find the music that they love. SmoothJazzNow serves that audience with the freshest music created by the best artists in the genre.”
“As an artist, I enjoy playing the music, because I can appreciate how much work goes into creating the music,” says Veasley. “I even enjoy announcing the artists' names, because I realize how important it is that they're recognized for their work. Music discovery is also important to me as an artist; being part of the SmoothJazzNow team will help me hear new music and new artists.”
His first show will be Monday October 15th. So what can fans expect? Veasley says, “When SmoothJazzNow listeners tune in and hear me, it will be like taking a road trip with a good friend listening to great music together. This friend just happens to have a few stories about the music to make the ride even sweeter.” – By Beth Knudsen
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ON AIR SCHEDULE AS OF Oct 15, 2012
WEEKDAYS
6-3PM - John Beaudin and Shannon Edwards
3-6PM - Gerald Veasley
6-Mid - Night-Lite (slow Smooth Jazz with a touch of New Age)
WEEKENDS
Saturdays
6AM-1PM - The Best of the John & Shannon Morning Show
1-3PMPM - Joe Turner
3-Mid - The Best of the John & Shannon Morning Show
Sundays
6AM-1PM - The Best of the John & Shannon Morning Show
1-3PMPM - Joe Turner
3-6PM -
The Best of the John & Shannon Morning Show
6-8PM - Smooth Jazz USA with Steve Bauer
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Kari Graham - Office Manager - Contributing Editor
 Kari has been working with RHB owner, John Beaudin since 2001. Her first gig was as a Contributing Editor for sister site Smooth Jazz Now. Like most lovers of Smooth Jazz she grew up listening to Classic Rock. Everything from Led Zeppelin to the Grateful Dead. Growing up in Brooklyn Kari worked as a waitress in high school, spending every penny on concert tickets and albums. "I was the rocker-chick!" says Graham. "My family moved around a lot and I found that having a passion for music, knowing a lot about it, made me fit in." Kari adds "I'm almost 40 now and my love for this music has grown stronger, writing for Rock History Book is my way of giving back to the source that made all this great music." Kari currently lives in New York City with her big fat cat, Skippy Zeppelin. |
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Joe Turner - Weekends - Sat & Sun 1-3PM
 Joe was born and raised in Detroit and still has a huge passion for all things Motown, especially the music, though now he makes his home in Naples, FL. Joe began his radio career in 1982 at a small, suburban Detroit AM station. From there, he worked a variety of formats, including urban, rock, oldies, country and smooth jazz. Joe and his wife Christine have been married since 1995 and love living in Florida. “The area of Florida we live in (southwest) exemplifies the smooth jazz lifestyle,” says Joe. “Palm trees, sunshine, beaches and smooth jazz – it doesn’t get any better.” Joe loves to cook, and is also an avid cruiser. Many of his recipes come from his sampling of foods from throughout the Caribbean. “Life’s too short to eat the same old thing all your life,” he says. More
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June 17, 2013 - Congrats to one of the nicest guys in Smooth Jazz!. Rob Tardik has another #1 song on the Smooth Jazz Now TOP 50 Countdown. "I've known Rob for years," says AirCom Radio Network's Operations Manager John Beaudin, "Rob works it hard. His message is always positivity and damn good music." Tardik only took seven weeks to reach the #1 spot. 
June 1, 2013 - Congrats to Andy Snitzer and his big hit "Candy." It stayed at #1 for a second week. "I've been a fan of Andy's for years now," says John Beaudin, Operations Manager of the AirCom Radio Network. "Andy is one of the best players in this and any format and the success of "Candy" is satisfying to his fans." Rob Tardik also had a strong week, "If Rob's "One World" continues it's momentum it will get the top spot very soon," says Beaudin. 
May 28, 2013 - There is a sense of new life on this Drew Davidsen album. Sure, he looks like a million bucks after shedding a few pounds but there is much more going on here. Davidsen is well known as a guy who gives back with his charity work in Ghana, West Africa and like Peter White, Davidsen balances energy, catchy melodies and amazing guitar playing. 
May 22, 2013 – Producer/keyboardist Jason Miles has come up with our highest charting new song this week with an interesting interpretation of Sly Stones, 'It's a Family Affair.' The tune entered our chart last Friday(May 17th, 2013) at #11, one of the highest debuts of the year. “I can't wait to hear this album,” says John Beaudin, Operations Manager of the AirCom Jazz Network, “Jason has never released anything that is normal, Jason always makes “out of the box” very tasty and interesting.” The album is called 'Sly Re imagined.' 
May 17, 2013 - After only four weeks Andy Snitzer is sitting pretty at the top spot of the Smooth Jazz Now Top 50 Countdown. "Andy's done well," says John Beaudin Operations Manager at the AirCom Jazz Network, "he dethroned Boney James from the #1 spot," adds Beaudin. 
May 3, 2013 - Things keep looking better for Boney James. The popular sax-man has the biggest hit of the year so far on Smooth Jazz Now with 'Batucada.' It's now been #1 for five weeks. "It's always special when a song stands out that much," says John Beaudin Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
April 30, 2013 – Good Morning America has announced a huge line up for its 5th Annual Summer Concert Series. 
April 25, 2013 – Three gifted smooth Jazz musicians; Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown came together 11 years ago with their group BWB. These guys put their name on the map with the famous album Groovin’ and are back in full swing with an upcoming release ‘Human Nature’ set for release June 18th. 
April 19, 2013 - Boney James is again the most talked about artist on Smooth Jazz Now. His hit 'Batucada' was the most requested tune on our station for the last two weeks. "You have to love a song with this type of staying power," says John Beaudin, Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
April 10, 2013 – The hottest new song on the Smooth Jazz Now TOP 50 chart last week was Andy Snitzer's 'Candy' entering at an impressive #5. The tune comes from, 'The Rhythm,' Snitzer's 3rd Native Language album and his 8th overall. The label calls the single “sweet funk/pop” which it is indeed. “I just love this song,” says John Beaudin Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
March 27, 2013 - With the release of Jim Samuel's new album 'Smooth Covers, Smooth Dance' last week and our 90-minute radio special on his career we thought we would delve a little deeper into what makes Samuel tick. 
March 26, 2013 - Boney James had the most requested tune on Smooth Jazz Now for the second week in a row. His new single 'Batucada' has only been on the chart four weeks and two of those have been at #1. "Anytime we get a Boney single we know our audience will get it to #1," says John Beaudin, Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. 
March 26, 2013 - Mike MacArthur has an impressive resume. Playing with Diane Schuur and the late great Maynard Ferguson creates great cache for an artist.
March 22, 2012 – Dave Koz will be joined by several of his old pals as he kicks off A Summer Horns Tour 2013.
March 13, 2013 - Boney James doesn't fool around! The famous sax-man has reached the #1 spot on the Smooth Jazz Now Top 50 Countdown and it only took him three weeks. "Ok, really - this is Freakin' Boney James," says John Beaudin, Program Director of Smooth Jazz Now. "Boney is not just known as a superstar, he proves it with every song and every album." 
March 9, 2013 – Natalie Cole has found her muse again! The 'Unforgettable' singer told fans on Twitter that she's coming back. The nine time Grammy winner should have a new album out this year. 
March 5, 2013 - Canadian singer, Michael Buble is getting ready for his upcoming album “To Be Loved’ hitting stores April 23rd. 
March 2, 2013 – I think the reputation of a music reviewer is that of a bitter and jaded curmudgeon living in a van down by the river. Years ago after writing a blistering review of a project that sounded half finished the artist approached me at a club and screamed, “You must spend a lot of time looking for things to hate?” “Actually it's the opposite, I answered, “I use my hours looking for the good stuff, 3/4 of the trip, however, is filled cliched blah!” 
March 1, 2013 - For the second week in a row Euge Groove had the most requested song on SmoothJazzNow. As a result his 'House of Groove' easily made it to #1 on the TOP 50 chart. "Euge is like Boney James, Dave Koz or Peter White," says John Beaudin, Program Director of SmoothJazzNow, "They all consistently release music that sticks with listeners." 
December 13, 2012 – SmoothJazzNow has a new artist/interview feature called One-On-One. It’s 20 questions for your favorite Smooth Jazz artists. Most acts will be asked the same questions but we will also change it up on some weeks. 
December 13, 2012 – Greg Adams has been out there. Even though many fans know him from his days with Tower of Power that stint seemed to be just an opening act for what was to come. 
December 11, 2012 - It's been a great year for Pete Giltin. The guitarist reached #1 on the SmoothJazzNow.com chart and there's no sign of him slowing down. We asked Pete to give us some rare facts - things you might not know about him. Check out the list. 
November 18, 2012 - Christmas music is a unique animal. A challenging one. Imagine explaining the concept to an alien, "So we celebrate this holiday and musicians, at least once in their careers, get to record the same 30-40 songs and hope that their versions sticks," MORE
May 1, 2012 - We live in a world where most instrumental music sounds like it was made for a 5x5 vertically moving room and that includes some Smooth Jazz. Interestingly, most Smooth Jazz musicians are technically some of the best players on the planet but many have fallen into this big vacuous hole, an amnesic state, where channelling Bert Kaempfert is common place. 
April 4, 2012 – Esperanza Spalding is a groovy chick. I mean, really, when she’s in the room, everyone else disappears and I’m talkin’ more than that big “love-sculpture” hair. She’s the type of musician you might walk up to at a party, ask about her music, and walk away three hours later regretting the question. This lady has a vision so you better have a seat. 
October 20, 2011 – This is no ordinary album. In fact, there is nothing normal about this album and that’s what makes this one of the most perfect projects that’s ever come across my desk. 
– On her third album Colbie Caillat has decided to strategically give us an uptempo summer-vibe. It still sounds like her smash debut “Coco” but this time it’s Colbie with caffeine and it’s positive and fun
– There are not too many things in life as deliciously lazy as Michael Franks voice. The guy could chill out someone on deaths door. Seriously, angst has no place on a Michael Franks record – he’s good at one great thing..making you feel good! 
