The city of Philadelphia and dedicated rocker Adam Weiner go together like Rocky Balboa and the old Spectrum. Weiner has been creating sleazy rock records as Low Cut Connie since the early 2010s, and the city of brotherly love has embraced him as one of the leading stars to arise from their vibrant music scene.
Over the last weekend (Saturday, June 1), Weiner teamed with fellow Philly mainstay WXPN Radio for the premiere of The Connie Club. The hour-long program will premiere every Saturday at 5 PM EST for the next ten weeks and will feature live tapings hosted at Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore, PA. The show will feature special guests and select cuts from Weiner’s favorite music across decades and styles. The Connie Club is a follow-up to Tough Cookies, a radio program Weiner hosted during the pandemic.
The Connie Club is more than a radio program. Weiner will be hosting live performances of the show at the famous Philly suburbs venue. The first show will be on June 13, with two more live tapings happening on July 11 and August 8. The live shows promise performances from surprise guests, comedy, and appearances from athletes.
The inaugural episode of The Connie Club was exactly as promised. Weiner dives through the expansive catacombs of soul music for a choice selection of Summer-tinged soul classics. He doesn’t stop there. Weiner is a natural DJ; his expansive music tastes allow for all-over-the-place playlists that range from the aforementioned soul to Brazilian funk. His eccentric tastes match his radio persona beautifully. He intertwines deep cuts from around the world with tidbits about the backing musicians, what label released who, and everything in between. His quick wit and deep passion for music history fit the radio format perfectly, making The Connie Club a must-listen for anyone interested in exploring the deep roots of American music.
Weiner’s first broadcast of The Connie Club was filled with highlights and surprises. He interacts with the audience on segments like “A Bridge Too Far,” where Weiner plays a band or record, and a decision is made whether the band is corny or not. “For me, absolutely not,” exclaims Weiner when discussing Toto on the show and playing the band’s “George Porgy. Another highlight of the hour show was Weiner transitioning between two versions of the soul classic “Pucker Up Buttercup” to contrast southern soul and the music coming out of Detroit in the late 60s. About halfway through the hour, Weiner plays an interview he conducted with the legendary Frankie Valli. The two discussed Valli’s own musical history, his brushes with Country/Western music, and the story behind The Wonder Who. Hearing Valli commenting on classic Four Seasons tunes as Weiner spins the tracks in question is incredible.
Adam Weiner’s The Connie Club debut episode went off without a hitch. His selection of songs is as diverse as Low Cut Connie’s discography and gives the listener a peek into the influences of one of Philadelphia’s great musical assets. The next episode will premiere this Saturday (June 8), with the live tapings coming right around the corner. You can listen to a replay of The Connie Club and learn more about the show below.
