Grand Rapids native Steve Downing is a consultant at Northern Community Radio. Attending St.John’s University as an undergraduate and St. Thomas as a graduate student, he studied English, philosophy and education.
What do you consider Grand Rapids’ best kept secret? The painter, Jim Zasoski
What do you value most about living in Grand Rapids? We’re at the geographical hub of the continent: it’s the same distance to and from everywhere.
What made you want to get involved in the Common Chords project? The opportunity to hang out with very cool people from Grand Rapids & the Twin Cities
What is the most memorable music/performing arts experience you’ve ever had? “Shockheaded Peter,” with The Tiger Lillies, London, 1999
What are you looking forward to most in the Common Chords partnership? Minnesota Orchestra musicians performing in unlikely settings (e.g., the VFW Club)
What’s the best part about a long Minnesota winter? And/or what is your favorite summer pastime? In January, when we go to Mexico, there can be a 100+ degree difference in temperature. Summer pastime: counting the hours till fall.
How do you like to spend time when you are not working? Staring at my feet
What songs are in your iPod right now, or which CDs are in your player? Miles Davis: “Kind Of Blue” Cosmosquad: “Creepy Spider” Project Trio: “Blue Rondo a la Turk” Esbjorn Svensson: “Elevation of Love” Vijay Iyer: “Revolutions” John Scofield: “Hottentot” Kenny Burrell: “Boo-lu” Etc. & lots more Miles Davis
What quality do you most admire in others? The ability to not sweat the small stuff. (How do they do that?)
What are three of your favorite possessions? Two of the best Jerry Garcia neckties and a pair of red wingtips
Which good book have you read most recently? Cabo Bob’s Definitive Mexican Slang 101
What is your one desert island must-have? Miles Davis: “Kind Of Blue”
Share something about yourself that your fellow Common Chords Committee members wouldn’t necessarily know. I can field-dress a whitetail in 15 minutes, wearing red wingtips.
