DAVE MUSTAINE Issues 'Megadeth Radio' Update

MEGADETH's "predictably unpredictable" Artist Personal Experience radio station, "Megadeth Radio", officially launched late last month. The band's mainman, Dave Mustaine, has complete creative control in the programming of his 24-hour channel, which features interviews, news, personal commentary, and playlists of his favorite music.

Mustaine has issued the following update:

"We are gearing up for the holidays, and I am feverishly working on more playlists today. I have an appointment this morning and then a slightly busy day, so I am trying to sort out the playlists here.

"One thing that you all have noticed is that there are sometimes glitches, like songs that really shouldn't be on here. I appreciate you not dining on my ass for the KEITH SWEAT song.

"Overall, this is so fun for me, and to be able to have so much great music playing all day long is a rush! I can't wait to start developing shows around the week. Some of my initial ideas were to have holiday shows, which we pulled off with your input and my twisted mind. We are currently working on playlists for Christmas, and this is a period that needs explaining.

"In the music biz, much like all businesses, people go on vacation over the Christmas break. In some cases, the people that are in the music business leave even earlier than the standard two-week break that most families recognize because of the 'school vacation.' Sadly, this really changes the face of the music business, mostly radio and video or TV, because almost everything is set to auto-pilot for the two-plus weeks that these people abandone their posts.

"In radio when the holidays come around, the use of gimmicky songs and holiday favorites start to make their way into your radio or onto your TV. It starts earlier each year, and if you aren't in the right position when these people leave, and when they lock they programs for the break, well then, you just ain't gonna hear anything until after the New Year.

"We have had seasons where we go into Christmas break and we are in the playlists and get locked in rotation when the stations close, and we had them where we were not in the rotation. Let me tell you, it was some of the hardest weeks of my life having a record campaign stalled, and having to sit around for almost a month before you can make any kind of progress again.

"This is where Megadeth Radio comes in.

"You can hear real metal and hard rock music that isn't sold out. Of course, there are so many bands and only so much time that I have each day to organize this, as well as the programmers in New York City. Today I have submitted the entire BLACK SABBATH / BLACK SABBATH with Dio / DIO / RAINBOW / HEAVEN & HELL catalogue and there should be a noticeable change in the level that old Ronnie is being played. He has dominated Megs Radio since we started and I love Ronnie, but I had no idea how much he has done and how inevitable it is too hear him if you are listening to metal. Very eye-opening!

"I should have five or six new lists sorted out, and the only thing slowing me down is trying to remember some of these songs without having the music. Talk about having an 'Itchy Swelling Brain?'

"Well, it is time to finish the morning and work out before I head off to save Gotham City, er, um, I mean to take out the trash and load the dishwasher

"Have a great day, and I hope that this Thanksgiving that all of us can try to heal a relationship with someone, and to make this opportunity to gather and celebrate not another missed opportunity for healing. Hey, I know that sometimes our relatives are lame, but this is about us and not them. Besides I can tell you, you can still be a bad muthaf***er and still be a good dude.

"Each year, thanks to your support, Pam [Dave's wife] and I are able to buy pallets and pallets of toys from Hasbro toy company, with the help of our longtime friend Elaine Hinton. These toys are then sent to the Childrens Hospital for Cancer in San Diego, to many of the various churches to help the homeless (they have kids too),and to the United States Marines for their 'Toys for Tots' program. I can't tell you how grateful I am to you for affording us this luxury, to use the finances you have invested in me, to reinvest in our children. Even if it is just a toy, I remember how hard it was for me, and how much I cherished what little I had.

"I have a lot now, thanks to God and to my gift, and definately thanks to you. This is just a small way to pay it back.

"Have a great day, and I have to get started packing again for the Endgame tour that starts in the U.S. with MACHINE HEAD."

According to LiveDaily, an earlier sampling of "Megadeth Radio" revealed cuts from MEGADETH, as well as a varied mix of tunes heavy on classic rock and metal, including vintage cuts from METALLICA, KISS, QUEEN, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, ALICE IN CHAINS, DIO, THE ROLLING STONES and AC/DC. Other tracks included live versions of MEGADETH's "Symphony of Destruction" and FAITH NO MORE's "Epic", as well as studio cuts from LAMB OF GOD and MACHINE HEAD.

Between the musical selections, Mustaine can be heard talking about a variety of topics, including his band's influences, the subject matter for their songs, and his soon-to-open San Diego guitar/music school, where he plans to teach underprivileged youths.