Dear Colleagues,
Shortly before winter break, I had dinner with Carleton’s KRLX board of directors. I reported that Sweet Honey in the Rock was coming to Carleton in January and that I hoped the students would attend. I even pulled out my iPhone and played one of my favorite songs, "Wade in the Water."
The board asked me what was on my playlist. I clicked on my phone's Pandora app and shared with them (yes, I still have Pandora…it’s free) my favorite stations.
Dinner Jazz. Each night I sit with my girls as they peacefully drift off to a few jazz songs. Unfortunately, I fall asleep with them and wake up a couple of hours later with a second wind.
Shirley Caesar Radio. I am a big fan of gospel music, and Shirley Caesar is the Queen. Her song "Hold My Mule" is a favorite of mine. One of my greatest regrets is not taking the time to attend Caesar’s church in Durham, NC, when I was in college.
Nina Simone Radio. I saw What Happened Nina Simone? on Netflix and fell in love all over again with this legend from North Carolina. I was thrilled when Sweet Honey in the Rock sang one of my favorite Simone songs, “Feeling Good,” at their Carleton concert.
Corrine Bailey Rae. I saw her in concert when she was up and coming in Atlanta, GA. My favorite song is "Put Your Records On." She has a soulful voice that sounds like a combination of India Arie and Norah Jones.
Kids Radio. My kids are 11, 9, and 6 and, unfortunately, there’s just a little too much inappropriate language in some of the original songs they like. Kids Radio is awesome.
New Edition Radio. They are my favorite group of all time. Some of my favorite songs are “Mr. Telephone Man” and “Can You Stand the Rain.” They have come out of “retirement” to tour and have sold out everywhere.
Anita Baker Radio. My favorite artist. I can’t count how many times I have seen her in concert. She sent a demo to a music producer who rejected her, saying, “Don’t call me, I’ll call you.” The demo was later produced, and now she is a Grammy-producing legend.
Stay warm!
Carolyn H. Livingston, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
