Thanx so much, Peter!

Whatta great site!@!  Honest 'n' truly.... tho' i sorta expecteded yer
lifetime E.R.A.; won/lost record, and yer B.A. on here. . . . thanx fer the
ol' p-card viwing of Bridge-po'. . . .

Yer #1 fan in Norwalk, Connecticut. . .

geo.

how do I get a recording of the "howard fishman quartet"?  I can't find
anything!

(great show, peter)

thanks,   jerry clements

Strawberry Cream Puff, Fruit Loop Paradise, I Wanna Eat Choco Bars,
Ice Cream City- Shonen Knife

May 8th:

- In 1985, the first cans of New Coke rolled out of bottling and
     canning plants.

thinking of you,
new Toby

Another Elvis song for your list... sadly not about Elvis and Nixon, but
Elvis and Fred Flintsone, which is probably  even better...
It's called 'Yabba Dabba Do' and the version I heard is by The Earls of
Suave on their album 'At The Basement Bar of the Heartbreak Hotel'
(Vinyl Japan, 1994 I think). I know they nicked it off someone else, but
I'm fucked if I know who. Anyway, this version rocks.

Hello Mr. Bochan:
     My name is Grace Toy.  I am 26 years old, and live in Freehold, New
Jersey (near the Jersey shore).  I have been a regular listener to WBAI about
the past three years now, and have caught your show off-and-on (I hope more
on, from now on!), and I really feel soothed by the sound of your voice and
the choice of your music.  Yours is a voice and show that really reflects
what more radio should be like.  Anyway, I hope that you can continue your
work there!  Take care.

Sincerely,
Grace Toy

i've been looking for a copy of the meat puppets' performance on WBAI
and i cannot find it anywhere.  is there anyway that you know of for me
to order a copy of the performance?
thanks.
steve

... a show that puts New York radio up there with
Chicago and Houston. Honestly, I was thinking
about moving back. But I love your program. It's
really the only thing I listen to on the radio.
Thanks a whole lot.

i recently came across your 'best of 1998' whilst surfing and noticed you had listed 'prototype'(universal) by rachid - i also think it's an excellent album and wanted to alert you to the fact that a new single just went to radio - 'zoe's world' - however the record company are doing absolutely nothing to promote it, so you might wanna playlist it or contact the company and see what's up.
i, personally would love to hear rachid on the radio - it's a trajedy that he has so far fallen through the cracks of programming.

an avid listener,
peace,
D*Nasty

Hi Peter,

Thank you very, very much. I'm so glad you like the record! Doublethanks
for giving it the spin. I really enjoyed the set list too. It was a great
note to open my first email of the day with!

Best regards, Joel

    I'd like to invite you to hear  Alex Gifford from Proppellerheads
and his partner Gemma, spin tomorrow night at SWIM, 146 Orchard street,
after 11:00 pm.
    i'm the bartender, so please say hi, if you come down,
-I'm Dave West...i enjoy your show and esp. your mixes,
and it would be great to meet you.
    thank you for honoring the memories of anthony newley and skip
spence.    somehow hearing the music  does a good thing-livin' through
the music.
  all the best,
Dave

Hello Peter,

  Just a quick note to say how much I loved today's show featuring
Independent music. The show was very interesting and I didn't want it to end.
I heard alot of new music that I want to hear more of. I loved the song by
The Cucumbers. They still sound very fresh. I would love to hear them played
on your show again or as a live studio guest sometimes. I also loved Jim's
Big Ego, The Donnas, and Bill Lloyd. I can go on and on listing all the
wonderful music.

Keep playing the best music on the radio.

Thanks,
Bob McKinley 

Hi Peter,
Thanks a bunch for playing "This Face" by the Farm Dogs on your
last program. Since you played the Farm Dogs I know you must
be a cool guy!
If you want...I can send you "Last Stand
in Open Country" which has alot of  good songs. There is even
a song with Sheryl Crow sing back up it's called "Burn This Bed".
 ...thanks again.
Take Care Angie 

Hey Peter,

I wanted to bring your attention to
PermaFrost.(http://www.wmedia.com/permafrost.html) They have an
extensive website, where you can hear their sounds.   And while their CD
cover is not handpainted, they would be happy to have a big(ger) label.
(I think)  (It is friends of Friends)
Anyway, I think you might get a kick out of them.  I think they are
great.

And I love your show!  It's the best thing to start off a week.  Any old
time, for that matter.  Keep up the great work!  Thanks,

Julia Fischer

Hello Peter,
I heard from some delighted fans and friends that you played our song
"Birthday" on your show yesterday.   Here's a message from a delighted
Cucumber:  thanks so much!
--Deena

Peter --

Have I got an Elvis song for you! It's called "Too Tired to be Elvis" and
it's on my new album "CANDY & DIRT" (which is already getting some nice
early radio play from "Idiot's Delight" and WFUV).

Please let me know how I can get a copy to you.

All the best,
IMPOSSIBLE RECORDING ARTIST
Heather Eatman

Dear Peter:

I haphazardly stumbled upon your weird little web site of Elvis and Big Dick
record raves and was surprised not to find Bob Dylan's "Went to See the
Gypsy" from his New Morning album and Gram Parsons' "Return of the Grievous
Angel" from the (combined) CD GP/Grievous Angel. In the first song, Elvis is
refered to as the Gypsy. In the second song, he's the King.

You appear to be a very strange person. I mean this as a compliment.

Later,

Rico Cass

Hey Peter:

I'm tryin out this new 'stationery' feature hotmail has.

I'm curious who does the song you used to play at the beginning-- The
line was "I.....never seen nothin like you" or something like that. That
song kicks ass.

Also, I'm curious who makes that generic type of '50's - fast-plucked
violin music. Like the music in the Simpsons when Homer has fantasies of
skipping around in the land of chocolate. It's like happy
housewife-tiptoe music, maybe they use it for Old Navy spots now or
something like that. I figure it must be something like Mantovani or
Kostelanetz; the names I always see on Thrift store records but never
buy.

I dug the Martin's Folly show--been listening to Dad's tape of it on my
walkman...
Cheers, Robin.

Dear Peter,
 My name is Terry Anderson, (not the hostage), and I am a long time
listener, first time mailer. I have over the years called into your show and
talked with you on occaision about things like mis-heard lyrics and The
Lampoon Radio Hour. I am now living in California and so don't have a chance
to hear the show anymore. Do you think that someday 'BAI will be on-line? Or
even just All Mixed Up? I Miss the show terribly. I often tell people of the
show you did that amazing New York news packed week in June 1994 When the
Rangers had their victory parade, the Knicks were in Game 5 of the
championship series and there was a low-speed Bronco chase in L.A. complete
with the theme to the Simpsons. Radio at its finest.
   Luckily for me, I am able to listen to WFMU on the net all day, but I
would love to hear All Mixed Up again. I know that programs like This
American Life, and Fresh Air have websites with archived shows. I suppose
there are crazy rights issues for the music and all, I just wish I could
hear the show, y'know.
   Well just thought I'd drop you a line to say Thanks for all the great
programs,
and you've got a great Website.

Keep 'em Flyin'
 Listener
Terry

Hi Peter
I have been a long time sometimes member and supporter of WBAI. My
brother and I have been listening since you were on Saturday afternoons.
I live in Pa now and I get BAI thru my cable system. I love your
selections and you have introduced me to many new sounds over the years
and I wanted to say thanks.
peace
gregd

Would you please send me more information about the 282 food songs; are
they in a book that can be purchased?

I am particularly interested in "El Pizza" but enjoy all of this type of
MIXED UP lyrics and music.

Thanks

Hey Peter!
This is Sabrina from Milwaukee.  I am currently researching songs
for music class that relate to historical events.  I was researching Nixon's
Resignation and i found songs on your web site.  I can not seem to find much
information about the songs though.  Could you help me acquire a few songs and
their lyrics?  Thank you so very much.

        Sincerely,
         Sabrina

Love your site!

I added a link under "New Internet Sightings" at
http://metalab.unc.edu/elvis/elvlinks.html

andrea

------------------------------------------------------------------------
"During times of world cataclysms people tend to become drunk more
easily."
                  --The former Soviet Georgia's national radio station

Personally I have never heard anything quite like "A Shortcut Through 1998".
It was a different and enjoyable experience that captured my attention
due to the overflow of songs, quotes, voices broadcasts, obituaries...the Titanic movie quote, a clip from the Jerry Springer Show, Michael Jordan-MVP, the teletubbies laugh, John Glenn goes to space...."little bits of history repeating"
I also caught the relation from the past to today: Nixon & Clinton both speaking of their terms as President,
Bush talking about his attack on the Gulf and Clinton speaking about his attack on Iraq...
the impeachment of our President as well as the bombings were large parts of 1998 that you blended well into your production.
Many deaths I did not know about or had forgotten-Buffalo Bob, Sherri Lewis, Robert Young, Sonny Bono, Carl Wilson...Flo Jo,
Phil Hartman (what a spooky quote he had), Frank Sinatra.
The time & effort you have taken to create this has really paid off and it is a great tribute to 1998...

Thank you,
Sincerely,
Kate Bowman

Dear Peter,
Whooo! I'm durn jealous of all who heard the year-end wrap up!
Plus, until I saw the website I didn't realize that you were famous. And why wouldn't you be?
Anyone who does the amazing things you do with sound jolly well ought to be famous!
Radio Man, I love now and you forever!
Your friend,
zsusanna

Dear Mr. Bochan,

I am in a creative writing class at Summit High School and recently we had the pleasure of listening
to your "Shortcut Through 1998". I found your audio collage to be incredibly interesting and creative.
Most of the class had never heard anything like that before (myself included) and it was a new experience to hear your work.

I am going to be honest about a few things that I found slightly off. Speaking as a teenager (I'm 17)
I enjoyed the fact that you brought the news of the past year together with music. What I didn't so much
enjoy was that I don't think I recognized one song that was used. I'm not trying to be offensive, so I hope that you
don't take it as such and that I am aware that you're not aiming your work at 17-year-olds like myself.
I think the way you put everything together and the subject matters that you chose to highlight were incredibly well
thought out and executed. Thus. I think that everyone should have the chance to enjoy your "Shortcut Through"
whatever year it is and I think that it would be easier for teenagers and "hip" adults to get into the Shortcut if you
incorporated some current music highlights from the year. I'm not suggesting that you watch MTV everyday
for the entire year furiously writing down  the top Spice Girls songs of the minute in order to give Shortcuts a wider
age range. I am, however, suggesting that you might draw in a larger crowd of a different audience if you threw in
some newer music that everyone has heard on the radio at one time or another.

I apologize if I sound critical, but I hope you take my advice, if only just for the outrageous ranting of a teenager.
I look forward to listening to a "Shortcut Through 1999" and I hope you have a great year of news to highlight.
Sincerely,
Paige C.

Amused by your list ... just heard two Elvis songs this morning ...

"That's Why" by John Gorka on his album "Out of the Valley"

"jesus and elvis" by Greg Brown on his album "the poet game"

Neither mentions Nixon, but some folks ain't as important as others ...

Later ... RB

I finally got another tape deck with a timer feature. It's great to come home
and be able to listen to you at my convenience. It's been a few years since I
could hear you with any sort of regularity. Welcome back to my stereo.
Keep it up.

Bryan

Dear Peter Bochan,

I enjoyed your radio broadcast that reviewed the events of the past year 1998.
My favorite parts were the clips from the Jerry Springer show that had to do with sex and violence. That was fitting
after lately all the sex and violence in the news. I also liked how you aired different opinions on the Clinton Impeachment
trials and the timing of the vote right after the bombings on Iraq. I did think the broadcast was a little bit confusing
because of all the sounds and how fast the voices went on and then quickly off. The end of the airing was tough because so
many people died that I had not heard of. Some the ones I did, like Dr. Spock, Robert Young, Sunny Bono and Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Overall, the broadcast was a great idea because it had a variety of music and it covered a lot of what went on in 1998.
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Scott Morrison

Subject: For Peter Bochan--Request

Peter, congrats on your latest Shortcuts masterpiece.

I was listening to it while crusing down 9th Avenue--cops in riot gear,
revelers in the avenues, traffic blocked on every cross street. A
surrealistic end to a surrealistic year. Perfect...

...We would like to invite you to contribute a track or two to the new
CD sampler. It is not really a commercial proposition--in fact we are
raising $ to do it, but the last one got airplay and had an impact with
alot of distribution inside the media worldwide. Have you done a Media
Shortcuts--or could you do an edit on existing material? Contribute any
soundbites that might enliven the mix?
As a fan and friend for years, I'd love to work together on something.

Danny Schechter

Dear Peter,
I liked your tape. It was very interesting. I really liked the way you put it together and had all through
other people on it like Frank Sinatra. It was just great.
The obituary part had me thinkin because I either forgot some of the people who died
or I didn't know they died.
But keep on making those tapes because there great.

your fan,

Nete James

Dear Peter Bochan:

There weren't many voices in your "A Shortcut Through 1998" that I recognized,
as I'm only a teenager that doesn't watch the news often. However I recognized many of the events
that were  portrayed, such as the impeachment trials, Mark McGuire's home run and the John Glenn/Discovery
space expedition...also the voice of the woman in Titanic, the Jerry Springer clip, Nixon's voice, the MVP award
given to Michael Jordan and the brief "noise" the teletubbies made. I thought I'd know more of the music but
the only song I knew was the Joni Mitchell one. I really liked the mood the music gave it, though;
especially the sadness of the first song.
I had forgotten many of these events happened in 1998, but listening to the piece I felt more connected with them.
It gave the idealism and remorse that we have when looking further back to earlier decades.
The saddest part for me was Shari Lewis's obituary when Lambchop yells "Shari. Shari, I need you!"
That one line was sadder than any comment from a real person. I knew a few of the people in the obituaries,
such as Carl Perkins, JEan Audrey, Roy Rogers, Sonny Bono, Linda McCartney and the Casablanca actor.
Hearing the Beach Boys music took me back to elementary school and I felt like digging my albums out.
And of course, I recognized Frank Sinatra.
You'd be surprized at how often a seventeen year old bursts into "I've got you...under my skin"
You did a wonderful job with this and I enjoyed it more than if it was on television. There's something
about the mixing of different sounds that can touch a person in a deep way.

Sincerely,

Kim Cheetham

Dear Peter,

had a lot of fun watching your site and I'm looking forward to hear it to,
as soon as I'm at work again (soundsiystem is ther....)

He keep it mixed, keep it hip

greatings from switzerland  (nick@soundgallery.com)

 Dear Mr. Bochan,
     I Would love for you to post that great show on the website for
convienent listening pleasure. Thank you.

Ray Lee

have enjoyed your work for several years!
enjoy your website or whatever this is called.
Have a nice holiday, God bless you and your loved ones.

walter s.

Dear Peter,

First, let me tell you that I enjoyed your web site--its fun, informative
and looks great.  Also, I am sure the bands appreciate very much the
support that you give them through your playlists, lists of faves and
raves, and links to amazon.com.

Hi.  My name is Dan Emery.  I am in a NYC band called The Dan Emery Mystery
 Band.  We are a slightly unusual sounding group (piano, shortwave radio)
with a sense of humor (songs include "other people's tongues" and "her
favorite bra") and an eye and ear for politics and current issues (other
songs include "student loan" and "the tower records song") and a growing
following (we're playing weekends at CB's 313
Gallery, Arlene Grocery, the Gershwin Hotel...).

Our new CD was financed by 119 of our fans.  I think you might like it, but
rather than waste your time by sending you a CD out of the blue, let me
instead invite you to visit our website.  If it seems cool to you and
you're still interested, let me know and I will most happily and
delightedly send you the physical CD.

Thank you and yours truly,

Dan Emery
http://aperock.home.mindspring.com

Peter,

I've been a fan of your's for years - going back to when you were on
Saturday's. I wish you were Saturday's now. Is there anyway I can get a copy
of the tapes (or CD's). A memorable show for me was the 4th of July show -
if I were to guess a year it was 1995 and it included Richie Havens
"Motherless Child"

Anyway - keep up the great work & thanks - I refer your show to everybody.

Peter;
"Hot for Elvis" written by Mark Campbell c 1995 appears on my CD
"Soulshaker".released 1998 on Winesong Records,Austin,Texas.
It's Rockabilly music, that song.

Peter,

What's a mixed up fan to do out here in San Francisco? Right now I have my
brother send me tapes of your
show but he's not very reliable. I've asked KPFA about carrying your show
but that didn't get very far.
How about web casting your show or what about KPFA or syndication on
college stations? I may just have
to move back east if I want to listen to your show every week, but I kind
of like it out here. I've been
listening for a long time I used to like it when the show was on Saturday
afternoons.

By the way what are you getting for the short cuts CDs and how do I order
them?

Keep up the good work,

Andrew Eisner

Peter,

Caught your show this morning and was really knocked out by the variety of
music you play. I've been a listener to WBAI for years but I usually listened
more for talk than music.

I would like to send you a CD if you accept independent releases. My band
Jackalope Junction has a new CD out called A Sense Of Direction; the music is
alternative country/Americana. I heard a lot of roots music today and thought
you might be interested.

Thanks,

Dave Isaacs
Shadow Brook Music 

Dear Peter Bochan,
I am Giovanni Sollima.
This e-mail Just to say thank you for
"Aquilarco".
Sincerely
A presto
Giovanni

Peter

Did a search on "Boiled Bananas and Carrots" (Peter Sellers) and came up with it on your list.
Any idea where I can find the lyrics?

Many thanx

Greg

Caught your web site. thanx for the mention about Dad and the Nixon record
Watergate. But there's more-----alot more-----on Elvis too. Dad did several
break in records on the King and on The other Dickie-tricky Dickie. In fact
they are all on my new CD compilations. By the way do you play Watergate on
your show ? 

-----Original Message-----

>>last week a guy from church who i thought was pretty hip returned a peter
bochan
>>shortcut tape from 1996 as "unlistenable...i had to turn it off after the
first
>>five minutes...i couldn't drive and have it on at the same time...i almost
>>threw it out the window."

I'll admit, though I think the tapes are far from "unlistenable," that it is
difficult to drive and listen to them at the same time. Not that it wasn't
an enjoyable experience--the sensation of nearly veering off the road into a
fiery burst has its thrill--but the hypnotic quality of the mix, the desire
to concentrate on every snippet and recognize each voice is strong. Ian, if
you want to experiment when you get some of these "Shortcut" year-end mixes
by Peter Bochan, listen to them first in your apartment. Then try them
flying down Fifth Avenue on your bike.

-Will

Hey dude -- I was a little worried that you would miss "one meatball" by
some weird freak memoray lapse, but I saw it among the songs of food -- I
kept thinking of songs, but then there'd they be! Amazing!
Anyway, the site looks good, coolio...

Things are excellent here -- the weather is fantastic and I'm getting to
the end of most of my work, so I'm a lot less stressed.

Okay, I'm outtie,
puff toby

Hi , I love your show am only able to get a short time to listen to you
but love every minute.
peace keep on keeping on.
Ed

richard belzer really sucks!  he is not funny.  he's just not funny.  not
funny.  not at all.  not one bit.

Peter,
Early this week I had the pleasure of listening to a tape of your show on
October 12...
I really enjoyed your show and wish it were on the air here.  It was
extremely interesting - really a pleasure!  So now I can say, just as your
website is a treat for the eyes and the mind, so is your show a treat for
the ears and also an inspiration...
Take care, and I hope someday your show gets out into some of the other NPR
markets, particularly one where I can pick it up.

Regards,
Gary Gable

Hey Peter!
It's Mitch Nash & the gang at Blue Q in Pittsfield.  Love your site!
Can you send us your three Shortcut CD's and the amount we owe you?
We must own them.  Really looking forward to meeting you on New Years...

Anyway, talk to you soon.

-Mitch

Hi Peter,

Thanks again for having the Tiger Lillies on your show, your interview
was great and the band really enjoyed meeting you, and were quite impressed
with your musical knowledge.

Any chance of getting a copy of the interview, I would love to stream it on my
web site.

Hope to see you at The Knitting Factory on the 28th.

Peace,
Phil

Cool site, man

You look NOTHING like I imagined:)  Fancy that!

Jack

Peter:

Yesterday's (091498) show was brilliant!

I am about 30 minutes into the show...and I hope you don't leave the
Clinton thing and go on to something else. The mix of sound bites and
music is soooo good.

I knew you'd come through this weekend.

Paul Kreisinger   091598

Peter -
I'm a big fan of the show. My office mate and I listen every Monday!
This Monday you played a great guitar instrumental early on in the show
- I checked your playlist, but I'm not really sure which artist it was.  If you
have time, could you let me know - I really liked it!
Thank you and thanks for the great music -
Monica Falcone

Dear Peter Bochan,

I'm a transplanted New Yorker who has been living in Philadelphia, PA for
over 20 years. I was a dues-paying member of WBAI in the mid-1970's, when
Steve Post was on the air, and you were creating a little miracle named
"Tecky-Time." Steve used to tell us to listen with headphones, or at least
semi-decent stereo equipment in order to get the full effect. That was not
in the cards for me at that time. However, I have since been able to obtain
at least semi-decent stereo stuff, including a Dolby Cassette deck and a
variety of CD players. Do cassette tapes or CD's of any of the
"Tecky-Times" still exist? If yes, are they available? I might even be
persuaded to part with some cash (or check) for some.

Also, Peter, did you have any affiliation with "Short Cuts?" I used to hear
that on WLIR 92.7 FM out of Garden City, LI.

I hope you're doing well. Radio is one of the things that I do miss about
NYC.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Berger
KenBerger@att.net

Dear Peter Bochan:

I love your show.  How can I order CDs of "Shortcuts."  Thanks.

J. Adams (JetAdams@aol.com)

Peter:

Thanks for the radio list.  You play very cool stuff.  Double Naught Spy
Car would love to come to New York, but we probably won't be out until
we're on a record label.  Our manager has hit all the majors in town,
but they say things like, "hey, get them a lead singer."  If you know of
any good independent labels that might like our sound, we're looking for
advice.

Keep on rockin in the relatively free world.

Take care,

Paul Lacques

Peter,

Kelligrl forwarded to me an email containing your site
URL.  Your site was a pleasure to explore.  I very much enjoyed the
graphics and look forward to spending more time following up on more of
the links at the site.  Having seen the site, now I would like to listen
to your show, but, alas, I am far, far away from NYC.

She suggested I send you some tapes...
I have held a longstanding desire to pursue commercialization in some
way with my music, but I am too old, tired, jaundiced and busy to mount
significant actions, especially since I do not know of anything to do
that is actually fruitful in this regard...
Hope you are having a great time and great success.

Regards,
Gary Gable

P.S... Kelligrlis a dream alive! 

Please settle a bet for me and perhaps provide a website for proof.
I think Mojo Nixon says, "Elvis needs boats" when the song refers to the
Bermuda Triangle and Lynda thinks it's "Elvis eats boats."
Who is correct?

Todd Fagan
GIS Analyst
Tetra Tech NUS, Inc
Gaithersburg, MD

Hello Peter,

I was curious how you came upon the Attilio Mineo CD ?

I know I didn't send you 1:)  I reissued it, by the way

Think anyone else at your fine station would be interested in playing it
on their show
and/or over the air ?

I'd appreciate any and all info you could give me about ANYONE wanting
to play it over the air
or any key people anywhere on any station you might think would enjoy
using a promo copy
other than cashing it in at the local used CD/Rekkid store:)

Thanks a bunch,

Jack

PK

Return-Path: <jnashel@iusb.edu>
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 08:29:32 -0500
From: "Jonathan Nashel" <jnashel@iusb.edu>
To: mixedup@pipeline.com
Subject:  worries
Peter,
I am a long-time fan of your show.  Unfortunately, I may have to move out
of the NY area and I wonder is it possible to access your show--not the
playlist--on the web.  So far it seems that not all of WBAI is on
RealAudio.  Will this change?  Hope so,
Jonathan Nashel

Dear Peter  Bochan,
This past week my creative writing teacher played for us your "A Shortcut Through 1997".
I really enjoyed listening to it. It was fun to pick out all the familiar voices and songs.
Some parts made us laugh, some parts made us cry,
some parts we sang along with and others gave us that horrible lump in our throats.
It is always nice to start on a clean slate every year end to reminisce of years past.
This segment is a perfect way to visualize 1997.
Sincerely,
Natalie Ford

 Mike & Lily

Thanks for the help, I really hope you know it or can point me the
right way, because I have been singing those lines for the past 10
years at least and it drives me and others crazy.
PK Davis
PH:  281-518-7155
Paul.Davis@Compaq.com

     Hi, Peter...
     I was just sorting through past E-Mails, and realized that I had
     not written back to you after hearing the Shortcuts for 1996 tape
     you were kind enough to send.
     So, I apologize for that.  I thought the tape was, of course,
     great.  My favorite parts had to do with the election, which
     I guess is a result of my own remaining interests in the
     country's twisted political system.
     Are you already starting to put things together for this
     year's epic.  Given what's been going on, it's going to be
     an amazing selection to choose from.  I'm looking forward to
     hearing what connections you make between events this time
     around.  Plus -- who knows -- maybe you'll have a stock
     market crash to throw into the mix before to long.
     Good luck.  And I hope your workstation stays stable...

Terry Todd

Dear Mr. Bochan,
I am writing regarding your "Shortcut Through 1996" piece. I wanted you to know that although I obviously think it was quite good,
it is your apparent dedication to your work which I admire most.
My teacher, Robert  Kaplow, writes pieces for NPR and has made us aware that it is time consuming work.
I hope that someday I love my work as much as you love to entertain people through the airwaves.
Mr. Kaplow also says you have recordings of specific years.
I was born in 1979 and was hoping that I could get my hands on one of your tapes from that year.
It would make me happy and I can tell that is something you like to do.
Thank you for your time and good luck with your future work.
Sincerely yours,

Stephanie Alexandra Schleef

Dear Mr. Bochan,
My creative writing class recently listened to your radio program "A Shortcut Through 1996" and I must say I am in awe of your work.
I can't imagine the hours of editing and just plain listening to the years events to put together such a fine piece.
I was almost overwhelmed by the way you placed the events of such a wierd and surreal year in a orderly and easy to swallow order.
I knew I was in for something different when I heard the THX intro...I felt the unibomber, the Olympic Park bomb and Flight 800 were presented in a very straight-forward manner, with no disrespectful jokes or cheesy sound bites.
The "Twister" and "Fargo" sound clips made the snowfall part really funny and "Is Perot Nuts?" was hilarious...your Yankee wrapup was almost epic, inspiring the same emotions I felt the night they won it all..the best part of of your piece was the obituary section by far.
George Burns, Tiny Tim, Timothy Leary, Ella Fitzgerald, Carl sagan, etc...were all remembered with dignity and I felt the mood change in the class when people started to realize just how many famous people had passed in 1996...
This was the first "Shortcuts" I'd ever heard, but I think you've found yourself another yearly listener, because it is far and away the best, easiest to take year-in-review program that I know of. I wish you continued success and I can't wait until a "Shortcut Through 1997"
Sincerely,

David A. Douglas