The Charlotte 500, Lap 10: The Ride

It's about this time, after I've driven a few miles, I realize I'm sitting listening to the wind whistle through the windows. Music! I need some music! The best place to turn for music in Charlotte is The Ride, 95.7 FM. The reason it's the best is that it's not the same old stuff you can hear on any number of stations in any city. The Ride is a classic rock station that plays the same artists as anyone else, but not the same songs. Listening to The Ride, you're more likely to hear "Eleanor Rigby" than "All You Need Is Love", "Tupelo Honey" than "Brown Eyed Girl", or "The Ballad of Billy the Kid" than "Piano Man."

The station seems to be especially fond of James Taylor and Thin Lizzy, but that's okay, although Taylor can be a downer if you're looking for something more upbeat.