I've always said it's not the musicians that make a good music town. It ain't the fans, either. And what I mean is, every town has its share of talent and those who lap it up, but without the media to bring the two together it's like ships passing in the night. The label "local" continues to be a back-handed compliment, as if acceptance from anywhere but where you're from is the only measure of success.

I don't just root for the home team out of pride. There are actually a lot of bands in Rochester that stink. I dig it, promote it, and share it when it's good. And so does  WXXI's "On Stage," now in its second season.

In the spirit of "Austin City Limits," this locally produced TV show features concerts by local bands (and some select gems from this year's Jazz Fest). It is awesome, top-flight entertainment with top-flight production. I had the distinct pleasure of doing one of the episodes in season one and have to say it's one of the coolest things I've ever been apart of.

They're all done recording season two, and it begins airing every Sunday at 7 p.m. starting September 7 with The Buddhahood. You can also catch an audio-only version on WRUR FM at 6 p.m. the Thursday before each band's scheduled TV broadcast.

WXXI-TV schedule

9/7/08        Buddhahood

9/14/08      Joe Beard and The John Cole Blues Band

9/21/08      Colorblind James Celebration

9/28/08      Hinkley

10/5/08      40 Rod Lightning

10/12/08    Gaylord

10/19/08    Uncle Plum

10/26/08    Atomic Swindlers

11/2/08      Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

11/9/08      Mike Doughty

11/16/08    Catherine Russell*

11/23/08    Rick Holland / Evan Dobbins Little Big Band

11/30/08    Kate Lee with No Strings Attached

12/07/08    The White Hots

12/14/08    Slide Hampton*

12/21/08    Phil Marshall Trio

12/28/08    The Isotopes

1/4/09        This Other Life

1/11/09      Margaret Explosion

1/18/09      The Bad Plus*

1/25/09      Brian Lindsay

2/1/09        Maria Gillard

2/8/09        The Demos

*Taped at the Rochester International Jazz Festival.