Paul Wesslund
@paulwesslund.bsky.social
Writer, music lover, environmentalist, advocate for compassion and integrity Paul Wesslund.com
Electricity costs are soaring and a spiteful, anti-environmental crusade is only making that worse. Thank you to Forward Kentucky for publishing my essay on how energy innovations can reduce the rate effects of the artificial intelligence boom. forwardky.com/the-con-job-...
The con job of power company rate increases
It’s not just the data centers that are sending power costs sky high. Here’s a list of the other reasons – and how we citizens can fight back
forwardky.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Electricity costs are soaring and a spiteful, anti-environmental crusade is only making that worse. Thank you to Forward Kentucky for publishing my essay on how energy innovations can reduce the rate effects of the artificial intelligence boom. forwardky.com/the-con-job-...
Bashing renewable energy has become a sad staple of our divisiveness, and it’s about to cost us dearly. Thank you to the Courier-Journal for publishing my piece on what’s behind the coming electricity price hikes and how can you help limit those increases. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
LG&E's foot-dragging on renewable energy could raise your electric bill by $800 | Opinion
We do need to brace for much higher electricity costs, but LG&E, the Trump administration and Kentucky lawmakers could limit those increases.
www.courier-journal.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Bashing renewable energy has become a sad staple of our divisiveness, and it’s about to cost us dearly. Thank you to the Courier-Journal for publishing my piece on what’s behind the coming electricity price hikes and how can you help limit those increases. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
I read the Trump Energy Department report on why we shouldn’t worry about global warming. Thanks to Forward Kentucky for publishing why I found it to be a flawed and shoddy report. forwardky.com/trumps-scien...
Trump’s science report on climate change is all cover and no content
The conclusion of the Energy Department’s supposedly serious study of global warming: “Eh, maybe it won’t be so bad”
forwardky.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I read the Trump Energy Department report on why we shouldn’t worry about global warming. Thanks to Forward Kentucky for publishing why I found it to be a flawed and shoddy report. forwardky.com/trumps-scien...
Kentucky’s Fancy Farm political event is seen as good-natured political jousting. But with our country’s vicious political rhetoric turning violent, it’s not fun any more. Thanks to the CJ for printing my letter about how it’s time for Fancy Farm to go away. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
Fancy Farm should wither away. Meanness and shallowness aren't fun anymore. | Letter
Fancy Farm celebrates simple-mindedness and a "you're wrong, I'm right" approach at a time when cooperation is needed to solve vexing issues.
www.courier-journal.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Kentucky’s Fancy Farm political event is seen as good-natured political jousting. But with our country’s vicious political rhetoric turning violent, it’s not fun any more. Thanks to the CJ for printing my letter about how it’s time for Fancy Farm to go away. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Before The Bangles developed their sgnature pop sound they were devotees of The Beatles and tried to emulate (pretty darn well) their jangly guitar sound, like they did on this 1984 cover a Katrina and the Waves song. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj7O...
The Bangles - Going Down to Liverpool (Official Video)
YouTube video by TheBanglesVEVO
www.youtube.com
July 24, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Before The Bangles developed their sgnature pop sound they were devotees of The Beatles and tried to emulate (pretty darn well) their jangly guitar sound, like they did on this 1984 cover a Katrina and the Waves song. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj7O...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Wow, Trump’s dad was Woody Guthrie’s landlord, and he wrote a song about him: “I suppose that Old Man Trump knows just how much racial hate/He stirred up in that bloodpot of human hearts.” Here’s a cover. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmZn...
Ryan Harvey - Old Man Trump (ft. Ani DiFranco & Tom Morello)
YouTube video by Firebrand Records
www.youtube.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Wow, Trump’s dad was Woody Guthrie’s landlord, and he wrote a song about him: “I suppose that Old Man Trump knows just how much racial hate/He stirred up in that bloodpot of human hearts.” Here’s a cover. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmZn...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: I’ve driven past some of the highway interchanges McMurtry mentions in this raucous and occasionally bawdy trip along the backroads of Texas-Oklahoma-Kansas. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieOf...
James McMurtry "Choctaw Bingo" - Live in Europe
YouTube video by lightningrodrecords
www.youtube.com
June 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: I’ve driven past some of the highway interchanges McMurtry mentions in this raucous and occasionally bawdy trip along the backroads of Texas-Oklahoma-Kansas. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieOf...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Johnny Cash’s well-known “I’ve Been Everywhere” was first about Australia town names, in 1959, sung by Lucky Starr.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpRv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpRv...
♫ Lucky Starr ♥ I've Been Everywhere ♫
YouTube video by sallie6
www.youtube.com
June 24, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Johnny Cash’s well-known “I’ve Been Everywhere” was first about Australia town names, in 1959, sung by Lucky Starr.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpRv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpRv...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: I recently learned this much-covered and deeply moving tribute about the Birmingham church bombings was originally by Richard Fariña, who, by the way, married Mimi Baez, yes, Joan’s sister. open.spotify.com/track/1HyNbs...
Birmingham Sunday
Rhiannon Giddens · Freedom Highway · Song · 2017
open.spotify.com
June 19, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: I recently learned this much-covered and deeply moving tribute about the Birmingham church bombings was originally by Richard Fariña, who, by the way, married Mimi Baez, yes, Joan’s sister. open.spotify.com/track/1HyNbs...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: This insanely fun and funny live version of the classic includes a delightful guitar history of rock and roll. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsLd...
Bill Kirchen - "Hot Rod Lincoln" in Washington D.C. *UPGRADED*
YouTube video by paliazzar
www.youtube.com
June 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: This insanely fun and funny live version of the classic includes a delightful guitar history of rock and roll. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsLd...
Global warming matters, but industry and politics has decided to refuse to even mention it. Thank you to Forward Kentucky for publishing my thoughts on what’s wrong with that and what you can do about it. forwardky.com/3-climate-ch...
3 climate change myths aimed at making you just give up
In Kentucky, slowing global warming can be as easy as contacting your local government representative
forwardky.com
June 13, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Global warming matters, but industry and politics has decided to refuse to even mention it. Thank you to Forward Kentucky for publishing my thoughts on what’s wrong with that and what you can do about it. forwardky.com/3-climate-ch...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: I just caught up with this gem released last month by Janis Ian and Joan Baez. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTrr...
One In A Million (Live) - Janis Ian with Joan Baez
YouTube video by Janis Ian
www.youtube.com
June 12, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: I just caught up with this gem released last month by Janis Ian and Joan Baez. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTrr...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: In a stunningly listenable 17 minutes Dylan’s “Murder Most Foul” puts JFK’s assassination in the context of our broader pop culture. Captivating. Hypnotic. Thoughtful. Epic. open.spotify.com/track/1LfTvT...
Murder Most Foul
Bob Dylan · Rough and Rowdy Ways · Song · 2020
open.spotify.com
June 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: In a stunningly listenable 17 minutes Dylan’s “Murder Most Foul” puts JFK’s assassination in the context of our broader pop culture. Captivating. Hypnotic. Thoughtful. Epic. open.spotify.com/track/1LfTvT...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Turns out a favorite bit of whimsy is actually a cover of a 1936 blues standard about a man keeping his woman away from other men. Ruth and Bonnie update that with a sassy, hilarious version from the woman’s point of view. open.spotify.com/track/43eI0b...
I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
Ruth Brown · R+B=Ruth Brown · Song · 1997
open.spotify.com
June 3, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Turns out a favorite bit of whimsy is actually a cover of a 1936 blues standard about a man keeping his woman away from other men. Ruth and Bonnie update that with a sassy, hilarious version from the woman’s point of view. open.spotify.com/track/43eI0b...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: I knew Bonnie Raitt had an African studies degree so maybe I could expect combining Gospel and African rhythms, but this collaboration with activist Oliver Mtukudzi is wow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2nm...
Austin City Limits #2801: Bonnie Raitt and Oliver Mtukudzi - "Hear Me Lord"
YouTube video by AustinCityLimitsTV
www.youtube.com
May 20, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: I knew Bonnie Raitt had an African studies degree so maybe I could expect combining Gospel and African rhythms, but this collaboration with activist Oliver Mtukudzi is wow: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2nm...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Shame on me for being surprised by this delight that somehow snuck onto my list without me knowing about it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaMB...
Janelle Monáe - Dance Apocalyptic [Official Video]
YouTube video by Janelle Monáe
www.youtube.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Shame on me for being surprised by this delight that somehow snuck onto my list without me knowing about it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaMB...
Reposted by Paul Wesslund
Friendly reminder that double negatives are a big no-no.
April 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Friendly reminder that double negatives are a big no-no.
Reposted by Paul Wesslund
While you highlight it, please note is the product of local journalism, which has been carrying a lot of the burden in an environment where national outlets simply can't cover everything everywhere all at once. Support your local journalists!
Please highlight this story.
ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago.
kfor.com/news/local/w...
ICE stormed into the wrong house, trashed the place, and made women/girls stand outside in the rain in their underwear. ICE also stole phones, laptops, and cash savings from the family, who moved to OKC two weeks ago.
kfor.com/news/local/w...
'We're citizens!': Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren't suspects
A woman says her family’s fresh start in Oklahoma turned into a nightmare after federal immigration agents raided their home, taking their phones, laptops, and life savings – even though they were …
kfor.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:26 PM
While you highlight it, please note is the product of local journalism, which has been carrying a lot of the burden in an environment where national outlets simply can't cover everything everywhere all at once. Support your local journalists!
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Wanda Jackson’s first big hit aimed to be rockabilly, but really playfully whipsaws back and forth between rock and country. Have fun: www.youtube.com/watch?v=STr1...
Wanda Jackson, "I Gotta Know", Collins Kids, "Sugar Time" (Western Ranch Party, 1958)
YouTube video by folkarchivist
www.youtube.com
April 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Wanda Jackson’s first big hit aimed to be rockabilly, but really playfully whipsaws back and forth between rock and country. Have fun: www.youtube.com/watch?v=STr1...
Reposted by Paul Wesslund
Okay, I'm going to repeat my Lorde/Weezer theory:
1st album: The big one with all the hits
2nd album: The beloved fan favorite that didn't sell very well
3rd album: The dippy happy one that split the fanbase
So if I have this right, the next video should have the Muppets in it
1st album: The big one with all the hits
2nd album: The beloved fan favorite that didn't sell very well
3rd album: The dippy happy one that split the fanbase
So if I have this right, the next video should have the Muppets in it
April 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Okay, I'm going to repeat my Lorde/Weezer theory:
1st album: The big one with all the hits
2nd album: The beloved fan favorite that didn't sell very well
3rd album: The dippy happy one that split the fanbase
So if I have this right, the next video should have the Muppets in it
1st album: The big one with all the hits
2nd album: The beloved fan favorite that didn't sell very well
3rd album: The dippy happy one that split the fanbase
So if I have this right, the next video should have the Muppets in it
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Giddens’ high-energy take on Pizzica di San Vito led me to look into the tradition of this rousing and romantic southern Italy folk dance. livesessions.npr.org/videos/rhian...
Live Sessions
Discover new and emerging artists, watch videos and live stream rare in-studio performances and concerts, all curated by Public Radio's best music
livesessions.npr.org
April 24, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Giddens’ high-energy take on Pizzica di San Vito led me to look into the tradition of this rousing and romantic southern Italy folk dance. livesessions.npr.org/videos/rhian...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: For Isaac Hayes, there’s more to the story of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” and he gives a heartfelt telling of it—for more than 18 minutes. open.spotify.com/track/1S73nj...
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Isaac Hayes · Hot Buttered Soul · Song · 1969
open.spotify.com
April 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: For Isaac Hayes, there’s more to the story of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” and he gives a heartfelt telling of it—for more than 18 minutes. open.spotify.com/track/1S73nj...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Earl Scruggs’ tuning slur trick on this gets me every time. Pure joy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wC6...
Earl's Breakdown - Foggy Mountain Boys
YouTube video by Mike'S
www.youtube.com
April 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: Earl Scruggs’ tuning slur trick on this gets me every time. Pure joy. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wC6...
Surprise while listening to my playlist: a 1930 call and response about the writer of the Book of Revelation seems an unlikely choice for a rock setlist, but raw and powerful music endures: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Iu...
John Mellencamp - John The Revelator
YouTube video by Mellencamp TV
www.youtube.com
April 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Surprise while listening to my playlist: a 1930 call and response about the writer of the Book of Revelation seems an unlikely choice for a rock setlist, but raw and powerful music endures: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Iu...